Your life can quickly turn into a frightening situation in the event that your
homeowner’s insurance claim should ever be denied. The last thing that a person needs to hear
following a disaster are the words “you are not covered.”
If this should ever happen to you, there are five steps that you can take
to fight back and pursue the compensation you deserve.
1. Hire a Lawyer
The first step you should take is to hire an experienced Houston
insurance bad faith attorney from our firm. Dick Law Firm has helped thousands of people recover
large settlements for their troubles with our aggressive advocacy. By
examining the details of each client’s situation, our legal professionals
can craft an individualized strategy to maximize your chances of success.
To get started, complete a
free case evaluation form or
contact our firm today.
2. Review Your Insurance Policy
Once you have retained a powerful attorney, your next priority is to examine
your insurance policy to make sure that you have a claim. Insurers are
often incredibly thorough when they write their policies, making sure
that that they clearly state when you will and will not be provided with
coverage. Reviewing your policy following a claim denial is extremely
important, as your rights should be clearly written out. This can help
you determine whether or not your claim was denied without cause and pursue
an appeal if applicable.
3. Gather Information
If you find a discrepancy indicates an unfair denial, it is important that
you collect evidence to support your claim. Depending on the circumstances,
this process is likely to vary. The general steps, however, are pretty standard.
Gather the following:
- A detailed written record of the incident
- Photographs of sustained damages
- Records of purchases of home fire alarms and security systems
- Witness testimonies
- Written accounts of all communication with your insurance provider
It is also important that you are able to show evidence of being a responsible
homeowner in order to dispel accusations that the incident was your fault.
If there is a disagreement between you and your insurance company over
the value of your home, an independent appraisal can be useful. The more
you prepare, the better.
4. File an Appeal
The next step is to file an appeal with your insurance company for a reconsideration
of your claim. This process varies depending on your insurance provider,
but they should provide information on how to do so. This appeal is in
no means a guarantee of a reversal, but it is highly worth pursuing before
taking your case to court. At this stage, it is important that you include
all evidence that you have gathered and include it in your appeal. If
you still get denied, court involvement is required. Your attorney can
handle this process and make sure that all appropriate procedures are
correctly followed.
5. Go to Court
If your insurance company still doesn’t budge, Dick Law Firm can
walk you through the process toward pursuing courtroom litigation. Our
Houston insurance bad faith lawyers are prepared to stand by your side
and make every effort to secure the largest settlement possible for your
claim, making sure that constant communication is maintained. Your rights
are important, and we are ready to defend them to the full extent of the law.
If you are caught in a situation like this, call (844) HIRE-A-DICK today
to discuss your legal options with one of our skilled attorneys.