The Process of Appealing a Denied Hurricane Insurance Claim

When you file an insurance claim, you fully expect to get the money you need from your insurance provider. While this is the experience for many homeowners, it’s not uncommon for insurance providers to deny hurricane insurance claims outright. Luckily, it’s possible to appeal the decision, and with help from your Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney, you may even be able to expedite the process. But what can you expect when you file an appeal? Here are the steps you’ll need to take.

Review the Reason for the Claim Denial

Before you appeal the decision, take your time to review the claim denial letter your insurance provider sent you. Make sure you understand their reasoning. Many insurance providers deny hurricane claims because there’s a question over whether the damage you’re claiming resulted from a covered event or a non-covered event.

By understanding the reasons for the denial, you can better frame your appeal and show your insurance provider why the damage is covered under the terms of your policy.

Contact a Florida Hurricane Claims Insurance Attorney

Before you file your appeal, it’s a good idea to speak with a hurricane insurance claims attorney. They’ll be able to review your claim denial, your insurance policy’s details, and help you figure out if you have the legal grounds to appeal the decision in the first place. If you can appeal the decision, your attorney can help you with each step and can even follow up with the insurance company on your behalf.

If the insurance provider stalls or doesn’t respond to your appeal in a timely manner, your attorney can hold them accountable for their actions. And if you end up needing to sue your provider, they can represent your interests in court.

Gather Additional Evidence to Support Your Appeal

Making your appeal as strong as possible can improve your chances of being successful. This means you’ll need to gather additional evidence that strengthens your claim and addresses the insurance company’s concerns. This may include:

• Working with an independent insurance adjuster to assess the damage and counter the insurance company’s findings.
• Taking additional photographs and videos of the damage to show the full extent of the damage and highlight why the storm caused the damage.
• Getting estimates from contractors to show that the initial settlement offer (if you received one) was too low.

Your attorney will help you determine which types of additional evidence are needed based on the insurance company’s reasons for the claim denial. 

File the Formal Appeal

Once you have the necessary evidence in place, you’ll need to file a formal written appeal with your insurance provider. Your attorney can draft up your appeal letter to ensure that it’s clear and communicates why the claim should be honored. 

You’ll need to send this letter, often by certified mail, to your insurance provider. This will give you proof of delivery and helps you keep track of the timeline.

Follow up With Your Insurance Provider

Some insurance providers may review appeals quickly, but others will take their time. This means you’ll want to follow up with your provider to make sure they’re processing everything in a timely manner. 

Remember, insurance providers must acknowledge appeals within 14 days of receiving the appeal and should resolve any disputes and reach a decision on your appeal within 90 days. If they fail to stick to the timeline, you and your Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney can escalate the situation with the state and, if needed, file a lawsuit against the insurance provider.

Let Parrish Law Help

If you’re planning on filing an appeal, the best thing you can do is work with a Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney from the very beginning. They’ll help you set your appeal up for success and can help you hold the insurance provider accountable for their actions. 

Schedule a consultation with Parrish Law today to get the help you need and deserve.