Residential insurance, better known as homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, is one of the smartest investments you can make. The average person pays just over $1600 per year to protect valuables like jewelry, electronics, art, and more.

If something were to happen to your home, your insurance provider has your back. Or at least, they’re supposed to.

The fact of the matter is that insurance companies will do everything in their power to deny your claim. But you’re still not powerless.

Keep reading to find out what to do when your insurance provider denies your residential insurance claim.

Remain Calm, Ask for Details

A denied insurance claim is frustrating, to say the least. After all, you spend your hard-earned money on your policy each month so it’s only right that your agency takes care of you.

While it’s understandable to be upset, you’ll catch more flies with honey than vinegar as the saying goes. Remain polite and calm as you deal with your insurance provider.

Ask for specific details on why your claim was denied, collecting information on who oversaw the claim, how the inspection process worked, and what the appeals process looks like.

Request Another Inspection

To dispute home insurance claims, you’ll have to undergo a lengthy and frustrating process, beginning with another inspection.

Your insurance provider will send an agent out. However, it’s in your best interest to work with a third-party inspector of your own.

After all, the inspector’s job is to discredit your claim. A third-party agent is more likely to be impartial and fair in their assessment of property damage.

Hold onto copies of both incident reports, as well as your previous report if possible. Look for discrepancies between the reports and submit both to your provider.

Contact a Lawyer

While you’d hope a secondary inspection would be enough to overturn a denied insurance claim, some providers still won’t budge. If you’re convinced your homeowner’s insurance claim was denied incorrectly, you’ll have to take things up with a lawyer.

Find a legal firm that specializes in cases that resemble your claim. For example, if your claim involves water damage or mold, look for a firm that specializes in these services.

Though suing your insurance provider can get expensive, it might be the only way to have the decision reversed. With that said, don’t expect these procedures to move quickly. It can take months at the earliest for your case to conclude.

The most common conclusion is a settlement, where your insurance provider agrees to pay damages as well as the cost of your claim.

Fighting a Denied Residential Insurance Claim

A denied residential insurance claim isn’t the end of your claim — it’s just the beginning. Remember what you’ve learned today.

Ultimately, it’s going to be in your best interest to contact a lawyer sooner rather than later as you’re looking down a long road.

Life isn’t always easy, but we’re here to help. Be sure to check out the rest of the content on our blog for more advice on navigating some of the toughest moments life throws at you.