What if State Farm Denied My Homeowners Insurance Claim?

It can be frustrating when your homeowners insurance provider denies your claim, leaving you fearful of being unable to repair your home. However, you do not have to accept a denial without a fight. A Corpus Christi homeowners insurance claims lawyer can help you understand why State Farm denied your homeowners insurance claim and how to file an effective appeal.

Most insurance claim law firms will provide a free review of your claim. They will delve into your policy’s details and determine why State Farm denied your claim. Your legal team will also negotiate with the insurance adjuster for you and work hard to secure the compensation you need and deserve. When a lawyer represents you during the appeals process, you can focus on taking care of your family.

A Homeowners’ Insurance Attorney Can Help You Appeal State Farm’s Denial

The first step in filing an appeal is understanding why State Farm denied your claim. You should have received a written notification from the adjuster explaining their reasoning. A lawyer can guide the appeals process on your behalf by:

• Reviewing your initial claim in detail
• Assessing the damage to your home
• Reviewing all parts of your policy
• Proving your damage is covered losses 
• Obtaining competitive damage repair estimates

You do not have to take all these steps alone. Your Corpus Christi property insurance claims lawyer will also represent you at the negotiation table, fighting hard for the compensation you need to rebuild or repair your home.

Understand the Limitations of Your State Farm Homeowners Insurance Coverage

Not every denied claim will result in a successful appeal. Keep any documents from the insurer that talk about your denied claim. The reason for your claim denial matters. Homeowners insurance companies like State Farm often deny claims, citing the following reasons:

• You have no current policy, or your policy lapsed due to non-payment
• Your policy does not cover the event that damaged your home 
• The damage named in your claim is the result of normal wear and tear
• You did not file your homeowners insurance claim within the allotted time
• State Farm, or its investigators, suspect insurance fraud 
• Your claim form is incomplete or does not contain enough evidence
• You made major repairs beyond boarding and securing your home before filing your claim

State Farm regularly receives negative reviews from consumers who allege the company provides poor customer service and unfairly denies valid claims. You can fight back against the insurer if its reason for denying your claim is invalid or inaccurate.

How to Appeal a Denied Homeowners Insurance Claim Against State Farm

If you disagree with your insurance company’s decision, do not say or sign anything without first consulting with a law firm in your area. Your denied insurance claim attorney will represent you at each of the following appeals phases: 

• Building a strong case file that supports your compensation request
• Identifying any acts of bad faith that factored into your denial
• Filing your appeal or official complaint with the appropriate agency
• Ensuring State Farm responds to your appeal in a timely manner

Your lawyer will also ensure they file your appeal within the allotted time, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Meeting the filing deadline is crucial, so consider letting your Corpus Christi insurance claims lawyer handle it for you to avoid the costly consequences of non-compliance.

Build an Evidence Collection That Proves the Extent of Your Property Damage

The State Farm adjuster will demand proof that the damaging event occurred (in certain cases) and proof of the damage to your home. Weather reports will provide evidence of natural disasters. Depending on the nature of your loss, your case file could also require: 

• Photos and video of your home and outbuildings from various angles 
• Receipts for the costs of temporary housing for your family
• Photos and receipts (when available) for your personal property
• Official reports (police, fire, etc.) related to your property damage 

A strong evidence collection can substantiate your claim and lead to a well-documented appeal. 

Create a Detailed List of the Damages in Your Original Compensation Request

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), homeowners insurance policies typically provide the following coverage: 

• Damage to your home and any outbuildings, including your primary structure, garage, landscaping, etc. 
• Loss of your personal belongings and furnishings, including your clothes, jewelry, electronics, collectibles, etc.
• Liability protection, including the costs of medical bills and more if a guest is injured on your property
• Additional living expenses (ALE), including the costs of temporarily housing yourself and your family if you cannot safely occupy your home 

Scrutinize your policy carefully to understand what types of losses it covers and which are named exclusions. Doing so will manage your expectations and allow you to file an accurate compensation request.

Your Property Damage Lawyer Will Help You Identify Any Optional Insurance Coverage

Your lawyer can help you file an appeal against more than one insurer if they deny compensation for a covered loss. Depending on the event that damaged your property, you may seek assistance from a:

• Corpus Christi flood damage claims lawyer
• Corpus Christi hurricane damage claims lawyer
• Corpus Christi storm damage claims lawyer
• Corpus Christi water damage claims lawyer

A single weather event could trigger multiple insurance policies. Any of these events can lead to catastrophic damage to your home. Your attorney can help you appeal a denied claim or settlement offer that is unreasonably low.

Get a Free Homeowners Insurance Claim Denial Consultation Now

If you purchased homeowners insurance, you should be able to count on it when you need it. If State Farm denied your homeowners insurance claim, we can help you fight back with a comprehensive appeal. 

Find out how we will help you navigate the appeals process and fight for the compensation you need and deserve. Contact our team at Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC for your free initial consultation.