Being in a situation where you need to request an insurance claim from your home insurance provider is always stressful. Whether the outcome was due to a natural disaster or some other event, you are already facing so much hardship in this moment. And when you find out that your insurance company’s adjuster has sent you a claim that is lower than you expected, you may be upset and worried. However, there are plenty of options for settling these matters, and ensuring that you are getting a fair shake from the insurance company.
Understanding Your Coverage
It is never a good idea to contact an insurance company or their adjuster unless you fully understand your policy. Make sure you read over the fine print on your policy to ensure that you are not missing anything that could have resulted in a lower claim. Sometimes we can overlook or misunderstand insurance coverage details, especially during a crisis. Take the time to double check the fine print before you take any further action.
Reviewing the Claim
If you have gone through your policy and you do not find anything to suggest the claim should be lower than what you calculated, speak with your insurance provider. Ask for a review of the claim where the insurance company provides full details about how they reached a certain figure for the settlement. And ensure you are keeping a log of all the documents sent to you by the insurance company or any conversations you have with the company and/or a claims adjuster. If your case ever goes to court, having these details documented will help you a lot.
Appealing a Settlement
The best way to approach an insurance claim dispute is calmly and politely. You should start by writing a letter to the claims adjuster explaining why you believe their total settlement is not enough, compared to what you calculated. Even if you are upset, do not show it in the letter. If you behave cordially during this process you have a much better chance of getting a positive outcome. You should hear back from the claims adjuster within 10 to 14 days.
Request an In-Home Visit
If you have conversed with the claims adjuster multiple times and your letter did not help, you may want to request an in-home visit. This is a good chance to showcase the damage to your home, and demonstrate why it is greater than what is being said in the insurance claims document. You may even want an expert on your side who can attest to the damage and the cost of repairing said damage.
If Nothing Works – File a Complaint
Now that you have tried everything possible to deal with the insurance company’s claims adjuster, it is time to file a complaint. The best way to file a complaint is with the help of a public insurance adjuster. At Scott M. Favre, we can provide you with the services you need to get the settlement you believe is fair. Our company offers assistance to homeowners in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia.
