What if Amica Denied My Homeowners Insurance Claim?

After a natural disaster, homeowners insurance should cover the costs of repairing your home and making it livable again for you and your family. If your home was damaged beyond repair, your insurer should cover the costs of rebuilding it. If Amica denied your homeowners insurance claim, you don’t have to settle for less than you deserve. A lawyer can help you appeal the decision and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Corpus Christi homeowners insurance claims lawyers represent Texas property owners who are struggling to get the compensation they need. An attorney can describe the steps to file an effective appeal if Amica denied your homeowner’s insurance claim. Most law firms will review your claim denial at no cost or obligation. 

Start Formulating an Appeal Against Amica by Building a Compelling Paper Trail

If Amica denied your compensation request after your home sustained property damage, the insurance claims adjuster must provide a detailed, written explanation of why they did so. This correspondence can be the start of an appeal. 

Some reasons your insurance company may give for denying your homeowner’s insurance claim include: 

• You did not notify them of your covered loss before the deadline.
• You did not pay your premiums, leading to a lapse in coverage.
• You did not provide sufficient evidence of your losses
• The damage to your home is not a covered loss in your policy.
• You failed to maintain your home properly to prevent further damage.

If you believe the reason Amica provided for denying your claim is invalid and you have met all claim-filing requirements, you do not have to accept a denial without a fight. Maintain any correspondence related to your initial claim to help your Corpus Christi property insurance claims lawyer build a strong case for appeal. 

Document Any Action From Amica That May Constitute Acts of Bad Faith

When you purchased an insurance policy to protect your home, you anticipated counting on it when you needed it. Unfortunately, some insurers engage in underhanded or dishonest tactics to deny or delay valid property damage claims, such as: 

• Refusing to compensate you for a valid claim 
• Refusing to investigate your claim 
• Misrepresenting some or all of your insurance coverage
• Using threatening or abusive approaches 
• Making unreasonable demands for evidence

Amica must handle your claim in good faith and can be penalized if it does not. If Amica wrongfully denied your claim in an act of insurance bad faith, you could have options for additional compensation beyond your original request. 

Amica’s Denial Does Not Have to Be Final—An Attorney Can Appeal on Your Behalf

The reason Amica denied your claim can help you and your attorney build an effective appeal. By speaking to the insurance adjuster for you, your lawyer can also protect you from saying or signing anything that could hinder your claim. 

If, for instance, your denial was due to an incomplete application, your lawyer can help you complete the missing pieces of your claim. If your case results in a full appeal, your lawyer will:

• Clarify Texas insurance laws and guidelines
• Gather supplemental evidence and documentation
• Complete and submit claim forms and filings
• Determine why Amica denied your initial claim 
• Guide you through each stage of the appeals process

A Corpus Christi insurance claims attorney can help you file a lawsuit against Amica if warranted. They will also help you understand and meet the two-year filing deadline, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Your lawyer will also negotiate with Amica’s representatives to reach a settlement agreement that compensates you for your losses. 

You Can File a Complaint Against Amica With the Texas Department of Insurance

In addition to filing an appeal and seeking financial compensation for acts of bad faith, you can also file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), which can serve a dual purpose—it can: 

• Protect your rights as an insurance consumer
• Potentially prevent future irregularities from the insurance provider

By filing a complaint, TDI officials might be able to:

• Compel the insurer to honor and pay your claim
• Resolve disputes regarding your policy and coverage
• Resolve disputes based on the facts of the damaging event

You can file your complaint, upload evidence and documents, and include before-and-after pictures of your damaged or destroyed home. It can take up to 40 days to resolve your complaint. 

Let a Lawyer Examine a Complete and Accurate Copy of Your Amica Insurance Policy

Your initial claim and your appeal start with a comprehensive reading of your policy to understand your coverage limits and options. A complete homeowners’ insurance policy will include:

• Identifying information for you and your property
• Specific damages that are covered losses
• Named damage exclusions that the policy does not cover
• Optional coverage and amendments

Your policy will also describe the claim process, including timelines, deadlines, and guidelines. If you filed a legitimate claim and Amica subsequently denied it, your policy will establish proof of coverage.

What Does Standard Homeowners Insurance Typically Cover?

You should give your insurance claims attorney a copy of your policy since every policy is unique to the homeowner, making it critical to read yours in detail. Basic coverage typically includes:

• Damage to your primary structure and dwelling
• Damage to landscaping and outbuildings 
• Damage or loss of your personal belongings
• Liability protection for injuries on your property

It also generally covers additional living expenses when your home is damaged to the point you cannot safely occupy it. Your lawyer will identify the types and amounts of coverage listed in your policy. 

You Do Not Have to Accept an Amica Insurance Claim Denial Without a Fight

If an event covered by your policy damaged your home but Amica denied your claim, our law firm will help you file an effective, well-documented appeal. We will describe each step of your appeal and fight hard for the compensation you need and deserve.

Learn more about what we can do if Amica denied your homeowner’s insurance claim. Contact our consultation team at Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, to secure legal representation and start fighting back today.