If your property insurance claim gets denied, don’t panic. You have every right to dispute the denial of coverage if you’ve been wronged. By taking these steps, you will surely get the coverage you need for the damage that has been done to your house.

Know what coverage you bought

Not everything is the way it seems. The experts at Skaug Law state that sometimes the only reason why claim payment disagreements occur is because of the confusion about what is covered by your homeowner's insurance. So, what you need to do in order to be sure about it is to review your homeowner's insurance policy carefully and see whether you're covered for the damage in dispute. Also, be sure to check the monetary amount on your coverage. It can be quite useful to know what you’re entitled to under your policy. It will further back up your argument in case you really are in the right. 

Review your claim

If you're not sure about why the settlement was lower than you expected, make sure to ask your insurer for clarification. Also, if the policy cites exclusion or other specific languages, don't forget to ask it to point out that specific section in question. Ensure that everything your insurer or claims adjuster tells you is properly documented. It is recommended that you keep a log of dates, who you spoke with and everything that was said during the conversation. And if you got that piece of information over the phone, send an email asking for confirmation of what you heard.

When your insurer's position is cleared, start preparing the documents that will help you prove your case. For example, if you think that the process of repairing your house will cost more than what your insurance company predicts, make sure to get a written estimate from an independent contractor. Make sure that everything is covered and that you have some sort of written evidence of everything that could potentially help your case. 

Appeal your denial or settlement politely

In case you need to dispute a low settlement offer or denial, the first thing you need to do is write a letter to your claims adjuster. Start by briefly explaining what the issue is and your viewpoint. Make sure you include all the proper evidence you gathered and ask the adjuster to review the claim. And no matter what happens, remain polite. 

You have the right to ask them for a response within a certain period of time, for example, ten business days. And always opt for the certified-mail option at your post office. This way you will have a record of the exact day your letter has been sent and received. You can also send a copy of your letter and some additional documents to your adjustor’s supervisor.  It's important that you remain calm and polite throughout the process. Don't let your emotions guide you, and be clear when speaking to your representative. And avoid using an attorney as a threat. If you take this approach right off the bat, the insurer might as well let their lawyer handle your case and you certainly don’t want that.   

Ask for an at-home visit, if needed

Sometimes, an at-home visit can help a lot, especially if there’s a dispute regarding the extent of damage in your home. In this case, you can and should ask your adjuster to inspect your house again. And if you already received opinions from independent contractors or professionals like mold inspectors, you can bring your adjuster to meet them so that they can find common ground. 

Get them all in one room and hear them all out. It’s not that easy to determine the full scope of the damage. In this case, bringing all of these people together can be very helpful. If one of them physically points to damage that your adjuster might have missed, you’ll have more valid arguments for your case. And if you’re not sure your adjuster has your best interest in mind you can always consult a professional who can help with an insurance dispute. They can help you determine the strong and weak aspects of your evidence and arguments so that you can work on them before you consider filing the case.

No resolution? File a complaint with The Insurance Department 

If everything else fails, file a complaint with your state's department of insurance. This is where having that specialized attorney for these kinds of cases comes in handy. Generally speaking, having the state insurance department on your side can help you a lot. They will help as much as possible. However, they don’t always have enough resources, such as attorneys and construction experts. In that case, if you can afford it, you can seek help from a private attorney.

Conclusion

All things considered, having your property insurance claim denied can get a bit messy if you don't have the right people on your side. This is why relying on professionals who will have your best interest in mind is the key to resolving this issue.