A denied home insurance claim doesn’t have to be the end of your claims journey. Floridians have options, including the opportunity to hire a competent attorney who is well-versed in the state’s property damage law.

If I Have a Denied Home Insurance Claim in Florida, What Can I Do?

First, read the information provided regarding the claim’s denial. Depending upon the reason for the denial, you can create a good case to have the claim reconsidered by filing an appeal.

I Bought My Insurance Policy Online, So Who Should I Talk to?

You might not need to talk to anyone. If you bought the policy through a website, the website might have an online appeals process that you can complete.

However, even if you didn’t go through a brick-and-mortar insurance company location, the homeowner’s insurance company will have an adjuster who processed your claim. Call the company and ask to speak with the adjuster to find out how to file an appeal.

I Tried Talking to the Adjuster, But She Made It Sound Like I Have No Recourse. What Should I Do?

If the adjuster doesn’t provide you with the steps you need to take to have your claim re-examined, ask for a supervisor. Oftentimes, a supervisor has seen just about every possible reason for a denial, and can help you combat the denial with more specific direction.

What If I Have A Case That Now Appears More Complicated Than Originally Believed?

Contact a property damage lawyer who can help you with a letter of appeal and can examine both your policy and your claim to see a path to resolution that works for you.

Do I Have to Wait With an Unsecured Home, Placing Myself and My Valuables at Risk While I Fight This Denied Home Insurance Claim?

No, but you do need to document everything. If you know your home has been burglarized or damaged by severe weather, take photos and videos of all of the damage. Make sure to write down details of what happened, including the date and time the event occurred.

If you were not home when the damage was done to your property, make sure to write down the last time you were at home and everything looked normal and what time you arrived home to the damage. This will provide a window of time when the damage was incurred.

If I Make Repairs Before My Claim Is Approved, Will That Be a Reason for the Insurance Company to Deny My Claim?

No, if your home is damaged to the extent it is uninhabitable or that further damage is possible, it’s okay to at least make temporary repairs. For example, if the roof is leaking to the extent you fear more water will pour in if it rains again, you will want to repair that sooner rather than later.

Keep receipts of all repair work done in anticipation of the insurance company providing you with reimbursement.

Is It Possible to Sue an Insurance Company if My Valid Claim is Denied?

Yes, in fact, the year 2019 has seen a 16.8 percent increase of lawsuits filed against insurance companies compared to 2018’s numbers, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s analysis of Florida’s Legal Service of Process database figures.

Florida Property Damage Insurance Claim Help

If you live in Florida and your home or business was damaged, enlisting the help of an experienced property damage attorney may make a difference in the outcome of your claim. 

Learn more by filling out the form on this page for a free case evaluation by a Florida property damage lawyer. 

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