How to Dispute a Homeowners Insurance Claim
Americans purchase homeowners insurance to protect themselves if a loss should occur. Unfortunately, many insurance customers feel disappointed by the outcome after filing a claim with their insurance company. Some people are unaware that they have the right to dispute the outcome of a claim when one is filed; others are aware that many customers win when they dispute a claim properly. The process involved in disputing a claim can be lengthy, but can be worth the time investment.
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Things You'll Need
- Name and phone number of insurance adjuster
- Name and phone number of insurance agent
- Name and phone number of insurance company
- Name and phone number of insurance commissioner
Instructions
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Contact your agent. Most insurance agents are motivated to satisfy their customers because they don't want to lose business or money. Contact your agent to express your dissatisfaction with the outcome of your homeowner's insurance claim. Express your desire to have the claim reviewed again, and explain that you may decide to give your business to another agent if you don't achieve satisfaction.
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Contact the claims adjuster. The claims adjuster is often the main decision maker when it comes to insurance claims. Contact the adjuster to find out how he or she arrived at the decision concerning your homeowner's insurance claim. Ask them to look at the property again, and discuss your concerns during the second review. Based on your discussion, ask the adjuster to increase any funding they were formerly willing to provide, or ask them to overturn their decision to deny your claim.
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Ask for a manager. Contact the claims department at your insurance company and ask for the claims manager. Explain your concerns with the outcome of the claims investigation and ask him or her to review the loss for mistakes or improper handling. Explain that you are dissatisfied and may decide to find a new insurance company. It may also help to explain that you may escalate the matter to the state insurance commissioner.
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Contact the insurance commissioner. The insurance commissioner is a state employee whose job it is to monitor the actions of insurance companies that operate in your state. Contact the insurance department in your state and explain that you filed a homeowner's insurance claim, but don't agree with the outcome of the insurer's investigation. Provide the details of your contacts with the insurance company, your agent, your adjuster, and any managers who may have been involved. Request a thorough review of the case by either the commissioner or one of his or her officials.
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Tips & Warnings
Read your policy manual any time you purchase new insurance. Doing so will help you determine whether or not you need more coverage and may save you the frustration of disputing a claim.
Attempt to resolve your claims dispute prior to contacting the insurance commissioner. Failure to do so could cause a delay as the department of insurance could ask you to escalate the matter within the insurance company prior to involving a third party.
