When natural disasters strike, you may expect your home to sustain damage. What you may not expect, however, is for your insurer to deny your home insurance claim. Nonetheless, countless families have had this experience.
If you have run into difficulty with your insurance company, you are not alone. As it turns out, there are several common obstacles people often encounter.
1. Damage is outside policy coverage
Most insurance policies have exclusions. For example, you may find that complicated issues such as mold are missing. In addition, your insurer may require you to purchase a separate policy for flooding or earthquakes.
2. Damage is outside policy timeframe
Insurers also deny claims because damages occurred outside of the policy’s timeframe. When you look at your insurance documentation, it should list a specific coverage period. Insurers will only approve claims that fall within that timeframe.
3. Homeowners wait too long to file
You want to file your claim as soon as possible. Even if you have questions about filing, do not let confusion hold you back. Waiting too long can cause the insurance company to deny your claim.
4. Someone else is at fault
Negligence can occur in many ways. Sometimes, insurers follow unfair practices and fail to uphold the conditions of policies. Other times, a damage remediation contractor may not complete a repair properly.
When natural disasters damage your home, the last thing you need is an insurance claim denial. Understanding why denials happen can help you prepare in case it happens to you.
