When a natural disaster, fire, or broken pipe damages your home, you should be able to count on your insurance policy to make needed repairs. Learning your insurance company will not provide the coverage you need can be devastating. If USAA denied your homeowners insurance claim, a Corpus Christi homeowners’ insurance claims lawyer in your area can help you file an appeal.
A denied claim does not have to be the end of the road. You can secure legal representation and keep fighting for the compensation you need and deserve. Learn more about what you can do if USAA denied your homeowners insurance claim with a free initial consultation with a law firm.
What Are the Steps in Appealing a Denied USAA Homeowners Claim?
Appealing a denied claim can be a detailed, time-consuming, and involved process. If the damage to your property occurred due to a covered event, per your homeowners insurance policy’s details, you can appeal by:
- Documenting the specific reason for your denied homeowners insurance claim
- Defining and complying with mandatory notification and filing deadlines
- Filing a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
- Filing an appeal according to your USAA insurance policy guidelines
This process does not have to be one you navigate alone. A Corpus Christi property insurance claims lawyer can guide you through these steps. They can also consult homebuilding and repair experts who attest to the amount of damage your property sustained, its cause, and estimated rebuilding costs.
What Evidence Do You Need to File an Appeal With USAA?
The first piece of evidence your appeal needs is the denial letter you received. Your insurance provider must tell you in writing why all or part of your claim was denied.
Additional evidence that can support your appeal includes:
- Photos and video
- Bills and receipts
- Witness statements
- Insurance correspondence
- Official records and reports
In addition to the evidence you submitted with your original claim, a lawyer can help you further investigate your property damage and collect supplemental evidence.
We have offices in Houston, Corpus Christi, and Victoria; and will travel to any corner of Texas if we are capable of preventing an injustice.
Why Did USAA Deny Your Homeowners Insurance Claim?
Why the insurance company denied your claim is an important part of the appeals process. Start building an evidence collection for your appeal by understanding why the insurance adjuster denied your claim in the first place. Some commonly reported reasons include:
- You filed your claim too late
- Your policy has lapsed
- USAA’s claims adjuster suspects fraud
- Your policy does not cover the event that caused the damage
- USAA or its insurance adjuster suspects fraud
- You made unapproved repairs to your property
- Your claim did not contain enough evidence
Do You Know the Details of Your USAA Homeowner’s Insurance Policy?
No two homeowner policies are identical. Your USAA policy addresses the specifics of your home and its contents. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), a standard homeowners insurance policy generally provides coverage for the following:
- The primary structure of your home
- Landscaping and outbuildings
- Furnishings and personal belongings
- Personal injury liability protection
- Additional living expenses when your home is uninhabitable
A copy of your policy will include any optional insurance coverage you selected. With the denial letter sent to you in writing, you can establish your right to a fair settlement during your appeal.
What Kind of Damage Prompted Your Homeowners Insurance Claim?
Depending on the type of damage your property sustained, 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
Give your lawyer copies of all the insurance policies related to your claim and subsequent denial. They will review all relevant documents and fight hard for your financial recovery.
Is it Worth Hiring a Lawyer for a Denied USAA Homeowners Insurance Claim?
Coping with a weather-related or other event that damaged or destroyed your home can be stressful. Finding out your insurance carrier will not cover your losses can be devastating. If a lawyer represents you in an appeal of USAA’s decision, you can focus on taking care of your family.
Your Corpus Christi insurance claims lawyer will:
- Collect official reports related to the damage
- Collect photos, video, and other physical evidence
- Gather evidence to prove the previous and current condition of your home
- Handle all verbal and written communication
- Establish the monetary value of your damages
Your attorney will also guide you through each phase of the appeal process, including negotiating for the best possible settlement on your behalf. With legal guidance and support, you can fight for the compensation you need to start putting your life back together.
Per the TDI’s Homeowners Bill of Rights, you have rights as a Texas homeowner that include being treated fairly and having your insurer handle your claim expediently. You do not have to accept a denied claim without fighting back with an appeal. In addition, if you believe USAA used bad faith insurance practices when handling your claim, your lawyer can help you take legal action.
What Is the Cost of Hiring an Insurance Claims Attorney for an Appeal?
In most cases, you will pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket to hire a lawyer. Insurance claims attorneys typically work on contingency, meaning you will only compensate them after they win compensation for you. If you do not receive compensation from USAA, you will not owe any attorney fees.
Representing the injured in all areas of Texas that extends back over 40 years
Contact Our Team for a Free Review of Your USAA Claim Denial
If you submitted a valid claim but USAA denied it, you can fight back. Our client-focused law firm has over 50 years of combined experience in personal injury and insurance law.
Find out what our team at Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC can do for you if USAA unfairly denied your homeowners insurance claim. Contact one of our consultation team members today for a free review of your claim.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC we can talk to you about your options and rights.
