How to dispute home insurance claim denials and settlements

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.

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

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    How much does it cost to dispute a home insurance claim?

    If your homeowners insurance claim is denied, disputing the claim can be a good option. However, it might cost you money. While disputing a claim in itself doesn’t cost anything, you will probably have to pay if you hire an independent adjuster or insurance attorney. These professionals often charge a fee that is equal to a percentage of your final settlement, but you should ask about exact costs before hiring someone.
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    What is a home insurance adjuster?

    A home insurance adjuster handles claims for the insurance company or policyholder. Their job is to verify the claim details, investigate the loss, look at the damage and estimate repair costs. While a home insurance adjuster usually works for an insurance company, a public insurance adjuster is a third party that may be hired to perform an independent claim estimate.
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    How do I dispute a renters insurance claim denial?

    Disputing an insurance claim denial for renters insurance is like disputing a homeowners insurance claim denial. Consider taking the same steps, which include reviewing the claim and coverage details, filing an appeal, getting an independent professional opinion, filing a complaint with the state’s insurance department and hiring an attorney.