Sometimes, it can be hard to get through the tough times after a disaster. Worse yet, when you find out that your insurance claim has been rejected, you may feel like you have nothing left.
Filing a home insurance claim is often a straightforward process. But while most claims get approved, a few claims are rejected from time to time. There are a few things you can do to make sure your home insurance claim gets approved:
1. Non-Disclosure of Facts
If you lie on your home insurance claim form after a disaster, the insurance company might not approve your claim. They’ll send their own adjusters to your home to check the damage. Your claim may be rejected if they find out that you’ve lied or not been completely truthful.
Don’t make up information to get a discount on your insurance. Be as honest as possible, so your insurer can find out the truth. It doesn’t matter if they find out later anyway.
2. Non-Payment of Premiums
Making payments on your home insurance is more important than you might think. If you don’t pay your premiums, your policy can lapse. If this happens and your home is damaged, your insurance company may be able to deny your claim.
Keep up with your home insurance payments to stay covered when you need it most. Missing or late payments on your record can damage your credit rating and lead to higher home insurance premiums in the future.
3. Insufficient Documentation of the Damage
If you are a property owner affected by a disaster, you must provide the insurance company with proof of the damage and aftermath. Make sure you document the damage and aftermath in detail to help prove your case. The insurance company may reject your claim if you do not provide enough proof (documents, photos, videos, etc.).
4. Missing the Filing Deadline
There are specific deadlines for filing home insurance claims. No matter your claim’s validity, you can have it denied if you miss the filing window. Usually, this window is within 180 days to a year, depending on your policy. If a covered peril damages your home, notify your insurance company as soon as possible to avoid any chance of your claim being denied because you failed to file on time.
5. Lack of Cover
Home insurance can protect you from many things, but it doesn’t cover every type of damage. For example, standard home insurance doesn’t usually cover damage caused by floods or earthquakes. You’ll need to purchase additional insurance to cover those types of damage.
Other types of damage, like damage from lightning or wind, are typically covered by your home insurance, but there are some exclusions. Your claim may be denied if an event causes the damage and is not on the list of covered events.
Conclusion
Home insurance claims are stressful and complicated, but filing one is the first step in recovering from a disaster. Once you’ve filed your claim, you’ll want to work with your insurance company to ensure you get the support you need to recover. Be honest in your claim form so your insurance company can find the truth and help your home get back to normal as quickly as possible.
5280 Insurance is an insurance company providing home, flood, auto, and more. We dedicate ourselves to providing you and your family with protection you can rely on while saving time and money. We understand insurance isn’t the most important thing on your mind with families of our own. That’s why we handle the details. If you need home insurance in Denver, we’ve got you covered! Get in touch by calling (888) 288-5280 today!
