Having your property broken down and damaged due to extreme weather can be devasting as that means your house is ruined, plus the insane cost of repairs.
To top it all, it can feel worse knowing that there’s a chance for the insurance companies to not help you out and deny the property damage claim instead.
Read on further below to know what are the reasons insurance companies deny claims for storm damage.
5 Reasons Why Your Claim Can Get Denied
In these types of unexpected situations, such as storms, insurance comes in handy as you won’t have to pay for all the damages to your house. However, it may come as a shock to you that even if you have insurance, there are still a few reasons why it may get rejected which include:
- Not Reading the Policy
Policies keep on updating and changing, so it is essential to go over them properly and be up to date about the changes. If you’re not aware of the conditions and payment plan, then there are chances of your claim being denied.
- Preexisting Damage to Property
One of the most common reasons for insurance companies to deny your damage claims is if your house was already in bad shape and unmaintained before the storm even hit.
- Time Sensitivity
When these types of events occur, time plays a huge role as well. If you don’t file the claim as soon as possible, the chances of it being denied go up. So, it’s important you notify your insurance company of the damages as quickly as you can.
- Insufficient Documentation
Having proof and the required documentation to file a claim is important. Take pictures and videos of the damage done to your property for evidence and proof.
- Exclusion Clauses
There are exclusions present which the insurance company does not cover, so take time out and see your insurance plan to know what’s excluded and included in it.
Apart from all this, there are other factors as well due to which claims get denied, such as not taking preventive measures after loss, false statements, and a lot more.
How to Avoid Your Claim from Being Denied
Now that you know the things due which a property damage claim can be denied, you can work around it and, by following the rules, can ensure getting the insurance you need.
- Know the time limit of filing a claim after the storm hits so that you can notify the insurer on time.
- Understand and read your policy properly and be up to date about the information.
- Have in mind what your insurance covers and the things which are excluded
- Take evidence of all the damages to show it as proof. This can be in a picture, video, or written form.
- The premiums timely
- Make sure you maintain your property
- Do not say any misleading statements that seem questionable to the insurer
- You can hire a public adjuster that can evaluate the condition before you file a claim.