The other day, the roof of my house was severely damaged by winds during a storm. Since it was an old roof and I’d been thinking about getting rid of it anyway, I figured that my insurance company would cover the cost of replacing it – but instead, they denied my claim completely! This left me wondering what I should do next…
Take pictures of your damage
If your insurance company denies your roof claim, the first thing you should do is take pictures of the damage. Be sure to get close-ups of any holes or cracks, as well as shots of the entire roof. You’ll need these pictures to back up your case when you appeal the decision. Find out why they denied your claim: When it comes to appealing a denied roof claim, it’s important that you know what the reasoning behind it was. For example, maybe they didn’t cover windstorm damages because you live in an area prone to hurricanes. Maybe they won’t cover wood rot because wood and water don’t mix. Wait for their response: Once they’ve given you a reason for denying your claim, wait for their response before moving forward with an appeal. They may have specific instructions on how to move forward with an appeal and if not, be prepared with a plan before reaching out again!
Document everything
After my insurance company denied my roof claim, I decided to document everything. I took pictures of the damage, made a list of the repairs that needed to be made, and gathered quotes from contractors. I also wrote a letter to the insurance company detailing why I thought they should reconsider my claim. Finally, I met with an attorney to discuss my options. He advised me that if I was going to sue, I would need some evidence for my case. Luckily, he found some paperwork in his office that he was able to let me use for free because he felt bad about how my insurance company handled my case. Armed with this new information, I sent a letter asking for an appeal from the insurance company and followed up by sending them all of the documentation showing what work had been done on the roof since it was first damaged by hail. The insurance company agreed to pay for most of the cost! In conclusion, there are many steps you can take when dealing with insurance companies that don’t live up to their obligations. In my situation, I’m glad I persisted because it paid off in the end. Be sure to get advice from professionals like attorneys and have good documentation before taking any legal action against your insurance company.
Call your agent
I was so upset when my insurance company denied my roof claim. I had just paid to have my roof replaced and now they were telling me that it wasn’t covered. I called my agent to see if there was anything she could do. She was very sympathetic and said she would look into it. A few days later, she called me back and said that the insurance company had reversed their decision and that I would be getting a check for the full amount of the repairs. She also told me that if I ever had any problems with my policy in the future, to give her a call and she would be happy to help. I’m glad I trusted my gut on this one and called her. Who knows what might have happened if I hadn’t? It made me realize how important it is to always get multiple quotes when you’re shopping around for a new policy. The agent I switched to saved me thousands! I went through all the paperwork and found out that my old insurance company charged me over $5,000 more than the other company. I ended up switching companies right away because not only did it cost less but they were able to save my old account number which made things really easy for me. They even contacted all of my providers from electricians to plumbers to make sure everything got transferred over correctly without interruption. When everything was done, they sent me a welcome letter and an information packet which outlined everything about their policies as well as some other services they offer like pet insurance or life insurances options. Overall, things turned out great because I know exactly what coverage I have and where everything will go now!
If you still can’t get help, contact your state insurance department
The first thing you should do if you’re having trouble with your insurance company is to call and try to speak to a supervisor. If that doesn’t work, your next step is to file a complaint with your state insurance department.
Most states have an insurance commissioner who oversees the industry and helps consumers with problems. You can find contact information for your state’s insurance department on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ website.
I was surprised that my insurance company denied my roof claim, but I was even more surprised when I found out that they had done this to other people in my neighborhood.
If you’re in a similar situation, don’t give up hope. There are things you can do to get the help you need. First, contact your state insurance department. They will be able to provide guidance about how to take action against your insurer and assist you in filing a complaint if necessary. Then contact your congressional representatives to voice your concerns about the unfair practices of some insurers. Finally, there are free or low-cost legal services available to help you get fair treatment from your insurance company.