Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Deny Property Damage Claims

Hurricane Matthew was just the latest example of a powerful natural disaster leading to dozens of deaths and billions of dollars in damage. Consumers often forget that just because a property damage claim has been made, that doesn’t mean the insurer will automatically pay what that claim is worth. In far too many cases, in fact, the opposite is true. We all want to believe insurance companies will do the right thing, but they often do not.

The Games They Play

Insurance carriers’ primary goal is to maximize profits. They want to bring in more premiums than they pay out in claims. In order to achieve this goal, they aren’t above using several unfair tactics.  Below are just a few of the more common ones.

• They delay processing the claim as long as they can, hoping that the policyholder will become so impatient that he or she will simply accept whatever the insurer is offering.
• Carriers use confusing language in their contracts so that customers aren’t really sure what their policies cover.
• They often characterize damage as “wear and tear” or due to a construction defect, or claim occurred due to a policyholder’s failure to sufficiently maintain a property.

Stand Up for Your Rights

Many homeowners, business owners, representatives of Homeowners Associations and condominium associations, property management companies and others are having a very hard time with their property damage claims due to these and other tactics. If you believe you have been treated unfairly by your insurance carrier on a property damage claim, Baron & Budd and Childress Loucks & Plunkett may be able to help. Please call 866-723-1890 or complete our contact form to learn more.