If you receive a denial for a flood damage claim, you may assume that there’s nothing to be done but to start budgeting for repairs out of your own pocket. However, you should know that insurance companies are not always fair in how they handle policyholders’ claims, and flood claims are routinely delayed or outright denied. This is especially true when flooding affects a large area and stands to have a major effect on an insurance company’s bottom line.
While it may not be clear what your rights are as a policyholder when an insurance company acts unfairly in negotiating your flood claim, you can get help. An experienced policyholder attorney can step in and help you fight, even after you’ve received an unfair denial.
A Flood Claim Denial Isn’t Necessarily the End of the Story
There are a lot of reasons why a flood insurance claim may be denied. The policyholder has many responsibilities when making a claim, including following the rules and terms of the policy, meeting deadlines, and submitting the correct information in the right way. However, when a claim denial is issued, policyholders may still be able to take action. Sometimes, it’s a simple matter of communicating with the insurance company or going through the appeals process. Sometimes, you need an attorney to help you fight for what your claim is truly worth. Either way, you may not have to take an initial denial as the final word on your flood insurance claim.
Unfair denials and other hang-ups do happen, and they may happen more often than you think. If you believe your flood insurance claim has been handled unfairly by the insurance company, don’t give up. An experienced attorney can help you maximize your claim and work through insurance claim disputes.
How an Attorney Can Help Policyholder With Denied Flood Claims
An attorney who has a wide-range of experience in insurance litigation for flooded properties will be prepared to thoroughly review your existing coverage and determine the reason for the denial. If the denial is unfair, or if you have another dispute with the insurance company over your flood coverage, an attorney can:
- Help you understand what you’re up against. It can be difficult to understand a flood insurance policy, as well as the special legal rules for flood insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). While you can fight against insurance companies that act in “bad faith,” it can be hard to do if you don’t understand what your rights are or how to tell if a claim has been unfairly denied. If you’re feeling lost and confused about why your claim was denied, an experienced attorney can help you make sense of your rights and understand what happens next.
- Arrange independent assessments of flood losses. If needed, an attorney can help you get independent assessments of your damage from experts in flood losses. Getting thorough assessments from professionals who know what to look for may help you prove to the insurance company that your losses should be paid.
- Interpret the terms of confusing flood policies. Because flood policies are generally separate from other property insurance coverage, the terms and language can be confusing. Additionally, some types of damage may not be covered by the flood insurance policy, even though mold, basement leaks, and other issues may seem related. If you’re unsure if your flood claim has been unfairly denied, an attorney can help you look at your policy and figure out what your rights and responsibilities are, as well as what that means for your claim.
- Prepare your case to go to litigation. Insurance companies have experience fighting legal action from policyholders, and they have teams of skilled attorneys on their side. If your case needs to move into litigation, it will benefit you greatly to have an experienced attorney on your side who can help you prepare appropriately and fight for your rights.
- Fight for the resolution you deserve. Whether your case moves into litigation or not, an attorney who has experience with insurance disputes can handle the communication with the insurance company, work through difficult negotiations, advocate for a fair resolution, and make sure that your rights are protected at every turn.
- Help mitigate your losses in the meantime. As you wait month after month for an insurance claim to resolve, flood damages can get worse or open your property to other losses. If you’re unsure how to protect your property while your claim is unresolved, an attorney can offer helpful guidance on how to protect against losses without jeopardizing your flood insurance claim.
It’s up to you to maximize your flood insurance claim and make sure your home, business, or other property can recover effectively. If you need help, contact our law office today at 1-888-614-7730 or use the Live Chat on this page to connect with our experienced attorneys now.
