You can successfully dispute a home insurance claim denial in Florida by arming yourself with knowledge, and if necessary, having experienced legal counsel on your side.

Claim denials and conflicts over the amount of compensation owed are not uncommon. On one hand, insured parties who have been paying their premiums conscientiously and consistently for years have every right to expect that the insurance company will pay up if the worst happens. On the other hand, insurance companies are in business to make a profit, and having to pay out claims can reduce that margin for them.

It’s not necessarily about greed on the insurer’s part, although such perceptions are understandable. In many cases, it’s a failure to communicate. In the case of a hurricane or other natural disaster, it may also be that your insurer is overwhelmed by the number of claims and lacks the time and resources to consider each one individually.

In Florida, a state frequently plagued by natural disasters such as hurricanes, many homeowners will need to file a claim for property damage. If these claims are unfairly denied or insufficiently paid, Florida consumers can appeal the decision.

What Is the First Step In Appealing a Home Insurance Claim Denial In Florida?

If your insurance claim has been denied in Florida, valuepenguin.com says the first thing to do is contact your insurer and review the claim. Often an insurance company denies a claim because documentation was insufficient. In these cases, more is better: this includes multiple photos clearly showing the damage from different angles, before and after video footage or photos of personal property, written estimates from contractors and of course, sales receipts for any expenses you may have incurred. If these were not included in your initial claim, be prepared to submit these things when disputing a home insurance claim denial in Florida.

Adjusterpro.com says that once you have these ducks in a row, request that the claim be reviewed a second time with the new evidence in place. You may also ask that the adjuster examine the property again, because theirs is a stressful job — and they are known to make errors.

They’ve Refused. What Action Can I Take?

As with a serious health diagnosis, it can pay to get a second opinion when dealing with an insurance claim.

Hiring an independent, third-party adjuster can involve an out-of-pocket investment of between $200 and $500, and may not be worth it if the difference between your claim and what the insurer is offering does not exceed that amount.

On the other hand, if that difference is $1000 or more, it could help your appeal if the adjuster comes up with a higher amount than your insurance company. If this is the case, you should inform the insurer and even request that a claims manager evaluate your claim in light of this information.

They Won’t Budge. Should I Take Legal Action?

Although this is uncommon, there are two more options if your home insurance claim denial in Florida stands.

If you have reason to believe you have been treated unfairly or that your insurer is deliberately offering a lowball figure, you can contact the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and register a complaint. The agency will investigate and, if warranted, lean on your insurance company and attempt to convince them to give you a fairer settlement.

Unfortunately, even after consumers file a complaint with Florida insurance regulators, they may feel they have been unfairly treated by their insurer. In these cases, insured policyholders may be able to take legal action to hold the company accountable for any alleged wrongdoing. If it does come to filing a lawsuit, Top Class Actions can help connect you with a knowledgeable Florida insurance attorney.

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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