As a homeowner, you expect your homeowners’ insurance provider to pay you a fair settlement anytime you file a claim. While this can happen with many insurance providers, other homeowners may not be so lucky. You may end up having to negotiate with your insurance provider to increase your settlement and get the money you deserve. Your Michigan property insurance claims attorneys want you to know how to handle those negotiations with confidence. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Review Your Policy
If your insurance provider offers you a low settlement or denies your claim, it’s a good idea to review your policy in detail. Request your policy’s details from your insurance agent or pull them up online and read through them. Look at the types of incidents you’re protected from, your coverage limits, and any other details that may impact your claim. If the damage to your property came from an incident clearly covered by your policy and your insurance provider denied your claim, you can and should appeal the decision.
Get Your Own Estimate for Repairs
Insurance adjusters look at the average cost for repairs, often erring on the lower end to help save the insurance provider money. Remember, the adjuster works for your insurance provider. It’s in their best interest to save their employer money anytime they can. If their estimates come in low, consider getting your own estimate from contractors in your area or work with a public adjuster that you hire to represent you instead of the insurance company. You may be able to use this information to negotiate a higher settlement.
Submit an Appeal
Insurance providers like everything to be done in writing, and this means your negotiations will need to start with a formal appeal of the settlement or the insurance decision. Contact your insurance agent as soon as you can and tell them that you want to appeal the provider’s decision. They’ll guide you through the process and help you file the appeal.
You’ll typically need to submit as much supplemental documentation as you can. Submit pictures of the damage, send written estimates for repairs from contractors you trust, and if you worked with an independent adjuster, submit their findings to the provider. This will help showcase the severity of the damage. The more evidence you can provide showing how bad the damage is and how much the repairs will cost, the more likely you’ll be to get a fair settlement.
Work With a Michigan Property Insurance Claims Attorney
Property insurance claims attorneys work for you, not the insurance company. It’s their job to make sure you’re getting the best settlement possible and to negotiate on your behalf with your insurance provider. Instead of going it alone, consider hiring a property insurance claims attorney to represent your case.
They’ll help you review your insurance policy to make sure the damage is covered. If it is, they’ll help you compile the necessary evidence to support your claim. With this information, they can work with your insurance company to, hopefully, come to a fair settlement.
File a Lawsuit if Necessary
If your insurance provider is violating the terms of your policy or isn’t responsive to your claims, you may need to file a lawsuit to get the settlement you’re owed. During the lawsuit, your Michigan property insurance claims attorney can negotiate on your behalf and increase the chances of you getting a settlement that can cover the cost of your repairs.
Let Fabian, Sklar, King & Liss Help
If your insurance provider keeps offering you low settlements or has denied your claims that you know should be accepted, don’t wait. Contact the team at Fabian, Sklar, King & Liss today and schedule a free consultation.