In an ideal world, your insurance provider would pay your insurance claim in full after a legitimate incident in which your property was damaged. With that said, we don’t live in a perfect world, and insurance companies have been known to try and underpay or flat-out deny insurance claims.
Below is some helpful information to consider when filing your claim to make sure it is done properly, along with how you can spot an underpaid property damage claim and what you can do if your insurance provider decides to underpay or deny your claim in bad faith.
Filing Your Claim Properly
In order to ensure you get the best payout possible, it’s important to file your claim properly. This involves creating a comprehensive list of the damages to your property, along with collecting video and photo evidence. You’ll also need to make sure you file your claim on time.
If you need assistance in filing your claim, contact Colucci Law Group for support. We can help you to expertly file your claim to better ensure you get the best payout possible. There are some tricks insurance companies employ to get out of paying the full amount owed for a settlement (some of which we’ll go over below). We’ll help you navigate the claim filing process in order to avoid a bad-faith claim denial.
Spotting an Underpaid Property Damage Claim
Here are a few things you can look out for to determine if your insurance provider underpaid (or is trying to underpay) your property insurance claim:
- A quick inspection: A proper inspection is essential for getting the payout you deserve. If your insurance adjustor is rushing and/or dismissive of your questions, it can lead to them missing things and your claim being underpaid.
- A seemingly low estimate: Consider what seems like a reasonable payout for your claim and inspect your policy. You may even want to reach out to reputable contractors to get a second opinion.
- Overlooking living expenses: If your property is uninhabitable due to damage, your insurance provider may be required to cover your Additional Living Expenses (ALE). Make sure expenses like housing, food, and other essentials are accounted for in your settlement.
- Pressure for a quick settlement: If your insurance company is pressuring you to accept a settlement quickly, take a beat and consider whether or not they are looking out for your best interest or theirs. Don’t let them bully you into accepting less than what you are owed.
What Do I Do if My Insurance Provider Denies My Claim in Bad Faith?
If you suspect your insurance provider has underpaid your claim or has flat-out denied your claim in bad faith, reach out to Colucci Law Group for support.
Colucci Law Group consists of legal experts who provide clients with support to fight bad faith claim denials. We will provide you with an outstanding property insurance lawyer to represent you in a suit against your insurance provider. We are also able to file your claim for you and defend your rights, so you get the settlement that you deserve.
For more information about our property insurance legal services, reach out today. We’d be happy to help you to file your claim or represent you in a lawsuit against your insurance provider.
If you suspect that you are the victim of a bad-faith insurance claim denial, we can help. The Colucci Law Group has the resources to assess the validity of your claim at no cost to you. For a free consultation, email us or call our Dunedin office at 727-733-9438. You may also call our Fort Myers office at 239-378-7800. Our team assists victims of bad-faith insurance claims across the state of Florida.