Denied Claim? How to Appeal a Property Insurance Decision

Receiving a denial from your insurance company after a major property loss can feel like a second disaster. You’ve paid your premiums and acted in good faith—only to be told you’re not covered. Unfortunately, claim denials are common, especially when documentation is incomplete or insurers misconstrue policy language. With the right steps—and the right support—you can fight back and win. Here’s how to properly appeal a denied property insurance claim and protect your right to a fair recovery.

Investing in homeowners or commercial property insurance is supposed to protect you after fires, burst pipes, or increasingly dangerous weather and storms. Yet many policyholders are stunned when an insurance claim is denied. If that just happened to you, don’t give up. A denial is only the insurer’s first move—our attorneys will work hard to make sure a denial isn’t the last word. Request your free consultation and let us do what we can to turn “no” into the full recovery you paid for.

Michigan Weather & Claim Volume

Michigan has already experienced significant climate impacts. The state has warmed 2-3°F over the past century from pre-industrial levels, with northern Michigan warming more than southern areas. Heavy rainstorms have become more frequent, and Great Lakes ice cover is forming later and melting sooner. (What Climate Change Means for Michigan).

From lake-effect snow to summer downpours, our state sees extreme events that generate mass claims. After Southeast Michigan’s historic 2021 flooding, over 17,000 households relied on FEMA because insurers underpaid or denied coverage—proving how often denials leave residents scrambling.

Technicalities & Deadlines

Excluded Perils – Mold, earth movement, sewer backup without a rider.
Coverage Lapses / Limits – Policy expired, or losses exceed caps.
Misrepresentation Allegations – Carrier claims paperwork errors void coverage.
“Late Notice” – Insurer says you waited too long or lacked documentation.

We’ve litigated every tactic on that list—and in many cases, have forced carriers to pay – with results over the lifetime of our firm, totaling over an estimated $500 Million.

Common Reasons for Property Insurance Denials in Michigan Policy Fine Print & Exclusions

When “Protective” Insurance Falls Short in Michigan

Policyholders encounter claim denials far more often than you might think. Carriers cite dense policy fine print, interpret events in their favor, or simply lowball damages. The frustration is real—but a strategic appeal can reverse the outcome. Below we explain why denials happen, what the high-stakes appeals process involves, and how our property insurance claims attorneys wins these battles.

The High-Stakes Process of Appealing a Denied Claim

“An appeal isn’t a polite request—it’s a contract dispute. Miss a deadline or overlook evidence and you could forfeit thousands. We make sure that does not happen.” – Jason J. Liss

Strict Deadlines

Denial letters often give you a certain number of days to respond. The law also limits how long you have to sue. We act fast, keep track of deadlines and make sure the clock never beats you.

Building a Winning Evidence File

Appeals succeed on new or stronger proof. We source independent estimates, engineer reports, photos, and receipts—compiled as if we’re already in court.

Navigating Insurer Procedures

Each carrier has its own forms, addresses, and multi-level review panels. Our team sends thoughtfully formatted submissions, tracks every deadline, and keeps a bullet-proof paper trail.

Why Experienced Counsel Tips the Scales

Policy Mastery. We read insurance contracts daily and spot coverage where others see exclusions.

Strategic Communication. Our letters cite policy language, case law, and insurer missteps—signals that you’re ready to litigate.

State-Specific Leverage. Every state Insurance Code has specifics to that jurisdiction. We call carriers out when they cross the line in your state.

Expert Networks. From fire-origin professionals to storm-damage engineers, we supply the independent testimony that overpowers insurer consultants.

Negotiation Muscle. Carriers know a well-documented, well-lawyered claim costs them more to fight. That’s why many settle once we’re involved.

How Our Attorneys Handle Your Appeal

A claim denial can feel like a second disaster—but it isn’t final. Our attorneys have overturned countless denials by taking the pressure off policyholders and putting it squarely on insurers. Below is the proven strategy our Michigan property insurance attorneys use to transform a “No” into the funds you need.

Let Us Pinpoint Why the Insurer Said “No”
Your denial letter lists the carrier’s reasons—often vague, unfair, or based on a misreading of your policy. Our attorneys dissect that letter line-by-line, expose every weakness, and craft the counter-arguments insurers fear. If the insurer misapplied an exclusion or interpreted the policy in their favor, we’ll catch it. The law may require that any ambiguity in an insurance policy to be construed in your favor. For examples of common denial tactics, see our post 5 Common Reasons Michigan Property Insurance Claims May Be Denied. We know how to hold insurers accountable when they misrepresent coverage or facts, and we’ll build a strong case that their “no” was wrong.
Move Fast—Appeal Deadlines Are Short
Time is critical after a denial. Many policies allow as little as 30 to 60 days to formally appeal the decision internally. Even more important, some property insurance policies require that any lawsuit be filed within with set deadline. Contact us as soon as you have a claim so we can preserve your claim, notify the carrier of the appeal, and effectively “stop the clock” while we build your strongest case. We make sure no contractual or legal deadline will expire on our watch.
We Assemble the Evidence Insurers Can’t Ignore
Lack of proof is a favorite excuse for denial. Our firm responds by gathering overwhelming evidence to support your claim. From on-site inspections and expert reports to detailed photo inventories of damage, we handle every detail of documentation. We also ensure you meet all policy requirements.
Strategic Pressure — Appeal, Appraisal, Litigation, and More
Sometimes, turning a denial into a payout requires applying pressure through multiple avenues. Depending on the case, we may pursue:
- Formal Appeal: We prepare a compelling, point-by-point appeal letter to the insurer. This rebuttal cites the policy language and facts they ignored, and we attach the ironclad evidence package we’ve assembled. Our appeal demands a full reversal of the denial (or a fair increase if it was underpaid). Faced with a well-supported appeal drafted by experienced coverage attorneys, many insurers rethink their position.
- Appraisal: If the dispute is about the amount of loss (value of damages), we invoke your policy’s appraisal clause. This is a contractual remedy in most property policies that lets each side pick an independent appraiser to assess the loss, with an umpire to resolve differences. We supply a qualified independent appraiser to fight for your valuation. The appraisal process takes the valuation question away from the biased adjuster and puts it in the hands of neutral experts. (To learn more about how we counter stalling tactics when an insurer won’t settle, read What to do if Your Property Insurance Claim is Denied in Michigan?)
- Lawsuit: If the carrier still stonewalls after an appeal or appraisal, we will file suit to enforce your rights. This is essentially a “bad faith” lawsuit, seeking to hold the insurer accountable for wrongfully denying your claim. Under Michigan law, this lawsuit is typically for breach of the insurance contract. We will demand full payment of all benefits owed, plus statutory penalty interest when allowed. The threat of paying interest (and potentially our legal costs) gives the insurer an added incentive to settle promptly. The prospect of going before a jury for a wrongful denial often pushes insurers to resolve the claim once we get involved.

Disclaimer: This post is general information, not legal advice. Each claim is unique; consult counsel about your specific situation.