What To Do If Your Water Damage Claim Is Denied

Water damage can be incredibly costly. If your water damage claim was denied, you’re probably wondering what your next step will be to try to get compensation. The good news is, there are steps you can take.

Keep reading to learn about what to do if your water damage claim is denied.

1. Determine Why Your Water Damage Claim Was Denied

The first step to getting the compensation you need is to figure out why exactly your water damage claim was denied. A few of the common causes of water damage claim denial include:

• • Late Filing – If you failed to file your water damage claim promptly, your claim may be denied.
• • Policy Exclusions – If your policy does not include water damage, your water damage claim will most likely be denied.
• • Gradual Damage – Most policies only cover water damage that occurs suddenly and accidentally. This often excludes things like slow leaks.
• • Lack of Documentation – If you failed to properly document your claim or failed to provide that documentation to your insurance company, your claim may be denied.
• • Previous Damage – Your insurance company may believe that the damage already existed before the inciting accident occurred.
• • Fraudulent Claims – If you make a water damage claim fraudulently, that claim may be denied.

2. Get Help From an Insurance Lawyer

An insurance attorney can help you determine why your claim was denied. What you may be owed, and how to get it. It’s important to seek assistance from an attorney to ensure that your rights to compensation are protected. There are lots of pitfalls standing between you and the coverage you need. Don’t face your insurance company’s high-powered legal team on your own. Get help from an experienced bad faith insurance attorney.

3. File an Appeal With the Insurance Company

If your water damage claim was denied but you feel you are owed coverage, you can file an appeal in an attempt to overturn the insurance company’s decision. With that appeal, you should include any relevant evidence and documentation that you think could support your claim, including any documentation missing from the initial claim. Your insurance company will then assess your appeal and notify you whether or not the initial judgment will be reversed.

4. File a Complaint With the Texas Department of Insurance

If your appeal was denied, or you feel your insurance company is treating you unfairly, you can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). The TDI can approach the insurance company on your behalf and kickstart a review of your claim. The TDI can impose fees for wrongdoing, and their actions may convince the insurance company to reverse your water damage claim denial.

5. File a Water Damage Insurance Lawsuit

If your TDI complaint was unsuccessful in getting you the results you feel you deserve, it’s time to file a bad faith insurance lawsuit. Bad faith insurance is improper behavior by insurance companies, including wrongfully delaying, denying, and under-investigating claims. If you feel your insurance company is acting in bad faith, a bad faith lawsuit may be your best option for getting justice. A bad faith insurance attorney can let you know more about what you can expect from the insurance lawsuit process.

Water Damage Claim Denied? Get Help From Reliable McAllen Insurance Lawyers

Unfortunately, there are many valid reasons that your water damage claim may be denied. There are many exclusions that apply to specific types of water damage, and that can make figuring out whether or not you’re owed coverage a real challenge. If you’re unsure whether or not your insurance company has wrongfully denied your claim, you should get in touch with a bad faith insurance attorney for help.

The McAllen bad faith insurance lawyers at Millin & Millin have extensive experience helping our clients stand up to big insurance companies, and we can help you get the coverage you deserve.

If your water damage claim was denied, get in touch with Millin & Millin to learn about your options for moving forward.

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