6 Ways Insurance Companies Deny Property Claims

If you have experienced a loss to your condominium or single-family home due to hail, fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, hurricane or lightning damage, you most likely should be compensated for your losses by your homeowner's insurance policy. Chances are your policy even includes protections from loss due to vandalism and even covers theft of your personal property.

While this may all sound well and good, do not count on your insurance company to make the process this straightforward. It is not as simple as turning in a claim and getting money in return. They will typically launch an investigation into the claim and try to find ways to limit the amount of money they have to pay out or deny your property damage claim in Texas and throughout the nation.

Insurance companies use many techniques to deny or diminish your property claim. Tactics to be aware of include:

- Delay: Insurance company adjustors know that if they delay your settlement claim you will most likely take a lower offer because you are tired of waiting. They may ask for unnecessary documentation to slow down the process or wait for third party payment before issuing benefits.
- Insufficient Coverage: Your insurance company enjoyed collecting the monthly payments from you and never told you that you did not have sufficient coverage during this time. Why now?
- Illegal Activity: Your insurance company may claim that you filed a false insurance claim, accusing you of fraud or an illegal activity. For example, with fire damage claims, insurance companies may accuse the policyholder of arson or claim that they couldn't determine a cause of the fire.
- Misinterpreting Policy: Insurance companies are notorious for interpreting your insurance policy one way when you originally purchase it, and then interpreting it differently when you are looking to make a claim.
- Wear and Tear: Insurance companies may claim that the item in question was already previously damaged or had excessive wear and tear.
- Demanding Receipts: If the insurance company tells you that you have to produce receipts for the items in question or else you won't receive coverage, don't fall for that. You may only need to have proof of what you own and not receipts.

Besides the tactics listed, insurance companies have many more ways to deny or lessen your claim at their disposal. Delaying your payment only keeps the money in the pockets of the insurance company longer. Bad faith denials of insurance claims occur frequently, and you should not let your insurance company get away with it. Speak with an experienced Texas insurance claim dispute attorney, and get the help that you deserve.

By: George D Murphy III

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If you have been a victim of an insurance company’s bad faith claim denial in Texas, consult with an experienced Houston, Texas insurance claim lawyer to help you get what you deserve. Contact the Voss Law Firm today to direct your property claim insurance questions to a skilled Texas insurance claim attorney.