No homeowner wants to deal with damages to their home. Unfortunately, many Florida homeowners will experience property damage at some point. Some of the most common causes of property damage in Florida include:
- Hurricanes.
- Strong winds.
- Fire.
- Burst pipes.
- Excessive rain.
- Hail storms.
If your home has been damaged due to any of the above causes, you may think that your insurance company will cover the repairs. However, insurance companies are often looking for any possible reason to deny your claim. Your insurance company may deny your claim for one or more of the following reasons:
- Failing to notify the insurer of your loss in a timely manner or failing to file your claim on time.
- Failing to pay your premiums.
- Providing inaccurate information on your insurance application.
- Failing to properly document the damages or failure to provide sufficient documentation.
- Loss is excluded under your policy.
- Failure to mitigate your damages or properly maintain your property.
Disputing a home insurance claim denial
If you receive a letter from your insurer denying your claim, you should know that you have the right to appeal the decision. In fact, many homeowners’ claims were unfairly denied and filing an appeal resulted in a reversal in the decision.
The first step is to carefully review your insurance policy, preferably with an attorney specializing in insurance litigation, and determine whether your damages should have been covered. You may then send a written letter to your insurance company, letting them know that you are appealing the decision to deny your claim and explaining why the denial was unjust. You should also submit any new evidence you have that prove that your claim is legitimate. You may also hire a licensed public insurance adjuster to inspect the damage and provide a report for you to submit.
If your insurer still refuses to pay for your repairs, and you believe the insurer is acting in bad faith, you may be able to file a complaint with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.