We purchase property or homeowners’ insurance with the expectation that we will receive compensation if our property or home is damaged or destroyed. Florida residents know that the state’s unpredictable weather means that a good insurance policy is a priority.
When you’ve lost your home or property due to a natural disaster or fire, you count on your insurance payment to help you rebuild your life. Therefore, finding out your claim was denied can be devastating.
However, there are many common reasons that claims are denied. Some are:
- Missing deadlines
- Missing premium payments
- Poor documentation
Missed deadlines
Most insurance policies require that you submit a claim within a certain amount of time after sustaining the damage. Check your policy to make sure your claim was submitted on time. If not, contact the insurance company to see if there are circumstances where they accept late claims.
When reviewing your policy, look for language about exclusions. The type of property damage you experienced could fall into one of the exclusions and this may be the reason for your denial.
Missed payments
Review your premium payment history. Even one late payment can cause your claim to be denied. Always keep up with your premium payments and submit them on time.
When you submitted your insurance claim, you were likely asked to provide proof of the damage. Your claim might have been denied because you did not provide adequate proof of your damage.
Provide a detailed description of all damage you sustained along with photographs or videos from many different angles. This will increase the chance of your claim being approved.
Not trying to prevent additional damage
One of your jobs as a home or property owner is to take all necessary steps to prevent any additional damage. You generally cannot leave your property “as is” after the damage and expect the insurance company to cover all resulting losses.
Once you learn the reason for your denial, you will have a better idea of what to do next.