It’s not uncommon for insurance company denied roof claim, and it’s even less uncommon for homeowners to be outraged by such denials. However, the truth of the matter is that insurance companies have certain reasons to deny certain roof claims, and those reasons are often in place to protect the company rather than your best interests as the homeowner. Here are some things you can do when your insurance company denies your roof claim.
Work with your agent
If you have a home insurance policy, you’re likely covered for damage caused by storms, including wind and hail. But if your insurance company denies your roof claim, what can you do? You may be eligible for help from the National Flood Insurance Program. And if your insurer won’t cover the cost of repairs, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB enforces federal consumer financial laws as well as supervises certain banks and other financial institutions. They investigate complaints about all types of financial products such as mortgages, credit cards, bank accounts and services. They also work with state law enforcement agencies on cases that are too big or complex for individual states to handle alone. When it comes to filing a complaint with the CFPB, be sure to include:
– The name of the insurance company
– The reason why you think they’ve done something wrong
– All supporting documentation
– A detailed description of what happened
Call your carrier
Your first step should be to call your insurance carrier and ask why your claim was denied. There are a few reasons this could happen:
* You may not have the right coverage. Make sure you understand your policy and what it covers.
* The damage may not be covered. Some policies exclude certain types of damage, like wear and tear or cosmetic damage.
* Your deductible may be higher than the cost of repairs. In this case, you would have to pay for the repairs out of pocket.
* The insurance company may not think the damage is severe enough to warrant a claim. If you disagree, you can ask for a second opinion from another adjuster.
* There may be something else going on that you’re not aware of.
Get a second opinion
If you think your insurance company denied roof claim has unfairly denied your roof claim, it’s important to get a second opinion. Here are a few steps to take if your insurance company denies your roof claim:
1) Document the damage and contact the agent for more information about their denial of the claim.
2) Take photos of the damaged area to include in any correspondence with your agent or adjuster and keep them in an easy-to-find place (e.g., on Dropbox).
3) Keep all correspondence with agents or adjusters (e.g., emails, phone messages, letters).
4) Request that they put their denial in writing with specific reasons why they believe it is not covered under the policy.
Consider mediation
If your insurance company denied roof claim, don’t despair. You have options. One of those options is mediation. Mediation is a process where you and the insurance company meet with a neutral third party to try to reach an agreement. The mediator doesn’t make any decisions; instead, they help facilitate communication between you and the insurance company. They may offer suggestions or ask questions that lead to productive dialogue. All information shared in mediation is confidential and won’t be used against either side in a court case. For this reason, mediation may be the best way for both parties to come up with creative solutions together. In fact, most experts say that the probability of reaching a settlement through mediation is much higher than going to trial. It’s also less expensive for everyone involved. There are very few risks associated with mediation, so it’s worth considering if you need help resolving a dispute with your insurance company over a denied roof claim.
File an appeal
If you’ve recently had your roof damage claim denied by your insurance company, you’re probably feeling frustrated and helpless. But don’t despair—you have options. The first step is to file an appeal with your insurance company. They will provide the necessary forms for you to fill out so that they can make a more informed decision about whether or not your damages are covered under the terms of your policy.
The second step is to get another estimate from a contractor who’s willing to provide one on their own dime (if not on behalf of their insurer). In some cases, it may be worth spending the money for another estimate because this will increase the likelihood that the second insurer will approve your claim.
Lastly, there are several steps that should be taken before filing suit against an insurance company in order to avoid getting embroiled in a lengthy legal battle.
Consider legal action
The first thing you should do is review your policy carefully. Your policy should state the specific reasons why your claim might be denied. If you don’t see any of those reasons listed, or if you feel like the denial is unfair, you may want to consider taking legal action. Talk to an attorney who specializes in property insurance claims. They will help you file suit against your insurer and may even represent you in court.
If this doesn’t work out, talk to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) about filing a complaint against your insurer. There are several resources on their website that can help guide you through the process.
