Standard home insurance provides coverage for many types of damage and losses — but not all. A claim could be denied due to lack of coverage, homeowner negligence, missing a filing deadline or not having enough documentation. However, it may be possible to dispute a denied home insurance claim or an unfair settlement by following the process outlined below.
Key takeaways
- Reviewing your home insurance policy before a claim occurs can help you understand what types of damage and events are covered by your policy and what is excluded.
- When filing an appeal or disputing a claim, it is important to have the right documentation and evidence to support your case.
- You may hire an independent appraiser or a public insurance adjuster to provide a professional opinion on your claim dispute.
- If you feel your insurer has denied your claim unfairly, you may register a complaint with the state insurance department.
1. Review your claim and coverage
Ideally, experts recommend reviewing your home insurance policy before a claim ever occurs to help minimize the risk of a gap in insurance coverage. Knowing what types of damage and events are covered — and aren’t — can help you financially prepare for what may need to be paid for out of pocket. Look at the perils and property included, check for any exclusions, review your deductible and familiarize yourself with the claim submission process.
If you filed a claim and are questioning the insurer’s response, checking the information you submitted is important. Ask yourself if you provided adequate supporting evidence and documentation. If you still feel the insurer misjudged your claim, you might consider filing an appeal.
Tips when reviewing your coverage
As you are reviewing your policy, you may find it helpful to:
- Learn more about how to read your policy.
- Write out all the questions you have for your insurance company.
2. File an appeal
Once you are confident you understand the way the policy is written, you can call the insurance company and ask for your home insurance claim to be reviewed again or request a new examination based on new information. It is possible a mistake was made by an adjuster the first time around. If you have any questions about your policy’s coverage, your claims adjuster can help answer those, too.
To file an appeal, having the right documentation is paramount. This may include dates and details of the incident, as well as photos, videos and witness statements, if applicable.
Tips when filing an appeal
If you plan to file an appeal, these tips might help:
- Ask for another home visit.
- Collect as much documentation and proof as possible.
- Explain the reasoning for your appeal in a clearly worded letter.
3. Get another professional opinion
If you have requested a re-examination of your claim and the request was denied or the claim was denied again, then it may be time for another professional opinion. As a consumer, you have the right to hire an independent appraiser or a public insurance adjuster. A public insurance adjuster is not affiliated with any particular carrier and may be hired on your behalf to help you settle a claim. The adjuster should be licensed in the state where you are filing the claim.
When hiring a professional, it’s a good idea to check references and recommendations. You can also call your state insurance department to confirm the adjuster’s record.
While an independent appraiser or public adjuster may provide useful assistance, hiring one usually comes at an additional cost. Independent adjusters may charge up to 15 percent of the settlement claim, and there are no guarantees the claim will be settled.
Hiring an independent party can either show support for the insurance carrier’s original denial or provide support for your claim. If the recommendation made by the public insurance adjuster supports your claim, you could consider contacting your insurance provider and requesting to speak to the claims manager. At that point, you might request the claim be reviewed once again.
Tips when contacting an unaffiliated insurance professional
If you do bring in an independent insurance adjuster to help dispute your insurance claim, you may want to keep these tips in mind:
- Ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have gone through the process of having a claim denied and seeking third-party help.
- Ask for references from the public adjuster and consider checking the Better Business Bureau and your state’s Department of Insurance for reviews and ratings.
- Avoid using a public insurance adjuster who goes door to door to solicit business after a catastrophe.
4. File a complaint with your state’s insurance department
If you hired a third party and the home insurance claim was denied again or you were offered too low of a settlement, you could register a complaint with the state insurance department. This option may be best if you feel your insurer denied your claim unfairly, and you would like the insurance department to investigate the situation and confirm the insurance company is in the right.
When you contact the department, you may also be made aware of additional resources you didn’t realize were an option. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has a list of each state’s Department of Insurance, which should have information on how to file a complaint in your state.
Tips when filing a complaint
When filing a complaint, experts recommend that you:
- Ask the state insurance department if there are any available resources to contact the insurance carrier directly in order to discuss your claim.
- The department usually dictates a time limit for insurers to respond to a claim. You can inquire if the insurance carrier responded in a timely manner.
- Check the available NAIC consumer resources to see if any other complaints have been filed against the insurer.
5. Hire an attorney
Another option is hiring an attorney, although this route will have to be paid for out of pocket. Attorneys typically charge a consultation fee and an hourly rate for legal advice, which means the expenses can add up quickly. You will have to balance the cost of an attorney with the end result of having a claim approved — or potentially denied again — and determine if the process is worth it for you.
Terms to know when disputing a home insurance claim denial or settlement
There are a few terms used in claims filing and processing that may be helpful to know up front.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Appraisal | An appraisal is a detailed assessment of either the property or property damage. An appraisal is written by an adjuster to estimate the amount of damage from a loss. The initial appraisal is usually provided at no charge from the insurance carrier. |
| Mediation | Mediation is a meeting between a representative for the insurance carrier and the policyholder. A mediator will facilitate the meeting and both parties will present information regarding the claim. The goal is to find a solution for both parties. |
| Adjuster | An adjuster is a professional hired to evaluate property damage. The adjuster will determine how much damage has occurred to the property. They will also recommend the amount to be paid out for the damage. |
| Covered peril | A covered peril is a loss or event that is covered under your home insurance policy. If your home or personal items are damaged by a covered peril, your home insurance policy will provide a payout based on the adjuster’s findings. |
| Coverage limit | This is the maximum amount of money your insurance company will provide in the event of a covered loss. If the claim exceeds your policy’s coverage limits, you might have to pay the difference out-of-pocket. |
| Settlement | A settlement is the payout you receive from your insurance company after a covered claim. It’s calculated based on the adjuster’s investigation of the claim, including what was damaged and the estimated cost of repairs. If you have a deductible, it will be taken out of your final settlement. |
Reasons your home insurance claim may be denied
Although a homeowners insurance policy is designed to provide financial protection in case of damage from a covered event, there are certain circumstances where a claim may be denied. These include:
- Lack of coverage – Homeowners policies do not cover every type of event or cause of damage. Policies have exclusions, meaning damage caused to your home by certain perils is not covered. For example, flood coverage is excluded from most standard homeowners insurance coverage.
- Missed filing deadline – There are time limits on when you are able to file a claim. Generally, this time limit could be up to a year from when the incident occurred, but it can vary by insurer and state. Experts recommend filing a claim as soon as the damage takes place and it is safe to do so to avoid missing critical deadlines.
- Not enough documentation – If you fail to submit sufficient documentation, such as photos, videos or witness statements, it could result in a denial of your claim. Insurance adjusters rely on the details when making a decision, so the more supporting evidence, the more informed a decision the adjuster can likely make.
- Negligence – You are responsible for the upkeep of your home, which includes regular maintenance and repairs. Failure to maintain your home or perform repairs as needed can cause your appeal to be denied if found to have contributed to the cause of loss.
Sometimes, your insurer may not deny your claim outright. Instead, a settlement could come in lower than expected. If this is the case, the same process of examining all related documentation, asking for another review and hiring an independent adjuster could be used to dispute a home insurance claim settlement offer. You could also seek the advice of an attorney before accepting a settlement amount.
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