How to Appeal a Denied Insurance Claim
A denial is not the end of the road. Insurance companies deny valid claims regularly -- here is how to fight back.
Understand Why It Was Denied
Request the denial letter and your full policy in writing. Common denial reasons include: pre-existing damage, exclusions (flood, wear and tear), missed deadlines, or insufficient documentation.
Internal Appeal
Send a formal written appeal to the insurer with additional evidence: more photos, contractor estimates, expert reports, and a point-by-point rebuttal of their denial reasons.
Appraisal Process
Most policies include an appraisal clause -- both sides hire independent appraisers, who then agree on an umpire. This is often faster than litigation.
State Department of Insurance
File a complaint with your state insurance regulator. Insurers take these seriously as repeated complaints trigger audits.
Legal Action
Property damage attorneys typically work on contingency (no win, no fee). They can sue for your claim amount plus bad faith damages if the insurer acted improperly.