Filing an insurance claim is a taxing process, whether it’s a medical, a homeowner or an auto claim. Most of the time, insurance companies will try to keep their payout as minimum as possible during the claiming process. This means that there is always a large probability that your claim will be delayed or denied. When this happens, it could cause you a great deal of stress and financial strain.
When your insurance company denies your claim, you might feel that you have no choice but to accept the insurer’s decision. However, you can do something about a denied insurance claim or a lowball settlement. Here are the things that you have to do when your insurer refuses to pay your claim.
Keep Records and Documents
When it comes to insurance claims, keeping records and receipts of your properties and expensive possessions would help make the claim process easier. For example, you may take a video of your home and its contents and store the video file in a safety deposit box preferably outside your home. Also, keep detailed records of the people you talked to, including when and what were talked about during the claim process, as these may help you when your claim is denied and you want to dispute the insurer’s decision.
Review your Insurance Policy
Study your insurance policy thoroughly to know the things to expect when filing a claim. Your policy should include the coverage, what is excluded and the insurance company’s protocols concerning damage claims and submission times and it is very vital that you understand these things.
Get in Touch with your Insurer
Once you have reviewed your insurance policy and gathered records and documents that will serve as evidences for your claim dispute, you may call the insurance company to talk to them directly or send them a formal letter. Make sure to clearly explain your complaint and include all the supporting documents to back up your complaint.
Take your Case to the State Regulator
If, despite following the insurance company’s complaints procedures, you are still not satisfied with their response and how they handled your complaint, then you can go to the state regulator like the ombudsman service. However, legal action can take months or years before you can get the payout, so use this as a last resort only.
When your insurer refuses to pay your claim and you want to dispute their decision, just follow these steps to have a higher chance of getting the payout that you deserve. Just remember to be patient, persistent and thorough throughout the claims process.
Written by Kellie Bertels, an attorney at Bandre, Hunt and Snider in Jefferson City, MO. Bandre, Hunt and Snider are the best attorneys Jefferson City MO have to offer.
