When the unthinkable happens, you expect your insurance company to cover your losses. After all, you paid your premiums on time for years, and now you expect your insurance company to meet their obligations.
Sometimes, however, the insurance company will deny your property claim. You may think you are stuck, or be unsure of what your next steps should be. If State Farm denied your property claim, all is not lost.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733. Our team can review your claim and explain your legal options. You do not have to face a denial on your own.
Reasons Why State Farm Might Deny Your Property Claim
After spending the time to gather proof and file your claim, it can be frustrating to receive a denial letter. In some cases, the letter may explain why you are denied, but it may not give much information, or you may not understand why your claim was denied.
While there are many reasons for denial, here are a few of the most common causes:
You Did Not Include Enough Information
While every policy is different, all insurance policies require you to send proof of your damages and how they occurred. If you did not include enough proof, your claim might be denied. In these cases, we may be able to gather more proof and refile your claim.
You Waited Too Long to File
The state of Florida outlines a statute of limitations for filing a property damage claim. The statute of limitations is generally between three and four years, depending on the cause of your damage. If you fail to file your claim in this period, you may have no recourse to recover losses.
A property claim lawyer can review your coverage and determine if you have missed the statute of limitations.
Your Policy Excludes Certain Types of Damages
Most policies include exclusions, which refer to types of damage your insurance may not cover. For example, some plans may not cover dog bite injuries for ‘aggressive’ breeds or may not cover damage caused by flooding.
A property claim lawyer can review your coverage and determine if your damage falls under a policy exclusion. If this occurs, we may look for other policies that may offer coverage.
The Damage Doesn’t Exceed Your Deductible
Your deductible is an amount you must pay before your insurance kicks in to cover losses. If the cost to repair the damage does not exceed your deductible, your claim may be denied. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible, but the damage to your roof will cost $850 to fix, you will not be able to collect damages.
Your policy may also have an additional hurricane deductible, which must be paid before hurricane-related damages are covered.
After a claim denial, you may be frustrated and overwhelmed. Facing State Farm on your own may feel impossible. We can help. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733 to discuss your options.
Tactics Some Insurance Companies Use to Wrongfully Deny Claims
Insurance companies are for-profit companies, and one way they can increase their profits is by paying less on claims. Unfortunately, some insurance companies wrongfully deny claims or use tactics in an attempt to pay you less and protect their bottom line.
For example, they may:
- Claim your policy is void, when it is not
- Insist certain damages are not covered, when they should be
- Issue a partial payment, but mark the check as “Paid in Full”
- Try to charge an additional hurricane deductible without proper notification
- Dissuade you from hiring a property claim lawyer
- Delay processing your claim
- Rush to close the claim, possibly before all damage has been uncovered
- Ask you to sign a waiver, absolving them of further losses.
If you believe your insurance company is not working fairly, we can help. Our team understands how Florida property claims insurance laws work and will work hard to protect your right to recover the damages. Call 1-800-747-3733 for a free claim review.
Damages You May Recover in a Property Claim Denial Appeal
The damages you may be eligible to recover in your Florida property claim will vary greatly, based on your damages and your specific coverage. However, in most cases, insurance will cover:
- The cost to repair your property
- The cost to rebuild, if your property is beyond repair
- The cost to replace destroyed personal property
- The cost to relocate, if your home is unlivable
- Liability protection, for example, if someone sustains an injury on your property
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the damage, such as toiletries after a hurricane
To give an accurate estimate of the amount of damages you may recover, our team must review your coverage. Call us today at 1-800-747-3733 to start the process.
How Our Team Can Help with Your Denial
After State Farm denies your property damage claim, you may be unsure where to turn. You may feel hopeless and alone. You want a legal advocate who can take over the claim and make sure you do not get taken advantage of. Our team is here to help in the following ways:
- Review your denial
- Gather additional evidence
- Look for other coverage options
- Appeal the denial
- File a case in court, if required
- Keep you updated on the status of your State Farm appeal
You are not alone. Let us protect your legal rights and ensure State Farm meets their legal obligations.
Contact a Property Claim Denial Lawyer Today
If State Farm Denied your property claim, our team can help. Let us pursue the compensation you are due under the terms of your insurance policy. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar and Levine today at 1-800-747-3733 to discuss your claim. We are happy to help.
We Can Help.
