If you’ve been waiting for a response from your insurance company but still haven’t heard anything, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to follow up and ensure that your claim is being processed. Our Hollywood property damage attorneys are here to help clients get the money they deserve from insurance companies.
Tips for Communicating With Your Insurance Company
Communicating with your insurance company is a critical step in the claims process. It is important to understand what you must do to ensure your claim is processed correctly and quickly.
Here are some recommendations to improve the communication process.
Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal is an effective way to document all the conversations and emails that take place. Being able to refer back to specific instances of improper conduct will give you more power in the negotiation process and make it easier for you to get the outcome that you want. This is where having a diary will come in handy.
Respond to letters and requests promptly, especially if they are unreasonable.
Stay Calm and Professional
It’s important to stay professional during the claims process. Remember that your insurance company is not a platform for venting frustrations and emotions related to the original cause of your loss. Remain calm and provide only the facts when communicating with them. Avoid saying things that will make you seem uncooperative.
Don’t Sign Anything Without Talking to a Lawyer
Even if the claim adjuster is friendly and helpful, remember that they represent the insurance company and may not have your best interests at heart. Don’t sign a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement without consulting with an experienced property damage lawyer to help you.
Common Reasons Why You Might Not Be Hearing Back from Your Insurance Company
Filing an insurance claim can be a daunting task, especially when your insurance company needs to respond to your requests. This can lead to feelings of frustration and confusion.
Here we will discuss some common reasons why an insurer might ignore a claim.
Mismanagement or Negligence
One of the reasons your insurance company might not be answering could be related to the policy purchase moment. This is a critical stage in the insurance process, however, it is also when many types of insurance mismanagement or negligence can occur.
Acts of Bad Faith
When an insurance company stops responding to a customer’s inquiries is one of the first signs that they are acting in bad faith. This could be a sign that the company is trying to avoid paying out on a claim or denying coverage altogether.
Customers should also watch out for delays in processing their claims and receiving payment from their insurer. If these signs are present, it may be time to take legal action against the insurance company for acting in bad faith. Remember to always contact an experienced property damage lawyer to help you.
Pressure to Settle
Insurance claims adjusters have the power to make or break a claim. When an insurance company receives a claim, it is the job of the adjuster to examine the facts of the case and determine if and how much compensation should be provided.
Unfortunately, some adjusters may remain intentionally unresponsive to claimants’ phone calls to make them more desperate for compensation. This tactic can be used as a way to pressure claimants into accepting lower settlements than they are entitled to.
What Are the Insurance Company’s Obligations?
This information will provide you with an understanding of how the claim process should go and the legal rights that give you leverage to get a fair outcome.
Fair Services and Legal Obligations
Insurance companies are legally required to provide fair and reasonable services to their customers. They must also comply with state laws and regulations that govern insurance policies by performing a timely, thorough, and unbiased investigation and assessment of your loss(es).
Insurance companies also have a responsibility to their policyholders to provide fair and timely payment for valid claims. When a policyholder files an insurance claim, the insurance company must work with them to adjust the claim and pay what they owe in full compliance with the policy contract and applicable laws.
Adjusters must be trained in the laws and regulations of their state, as well as in assessing claims, making decisions, and handling disputes following the laws and regulations of their state.
Insurance companies are legally obligated to treat their customers fairly during the claim process. This means they must not use unfair practices or treat you unfairly when processing your claims.
Deadlines
According to Florida law, the insurer must respond to a communication concerning a claim within 14 calendar days. Moreover, insurers must complete their investigation of a claim within 90 days of receiving it. However, if factors beyond the insurer’s control prevent them from doing so, the claim must be paid or denied within 15 days after those factors cease.
Finally, there is typically a deadline in your insurance policy for filing a lawsuit related to a claim. It is important to check your policy and make sure that you are within the deadline before taking any legal action. If you will take legal action, be sure to contact an experienced property damage lawyer to assist you.
Take Action
When you are faced with a situation where your insurance company is not responding to your claims, it can be a very stressful and frustrating experience. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that your claim is heard and taken seriously by the insurance company.
- Follow up with the insurance company after a few days of not hearing back.
- Leave a voicemail explaining that you filed a claim or sent a demand letter and are still waiting for a response.
- Be sure to include your latest contact number and address.
- Sometimes a reminder could be all the insurance company needs to return your call.
- If you haven’t heard back yet, it might be a good idea to contact an experienced property damage lawyer to help you file a claim.
Speak to the Experts
If you’re experiencing difficulty with your insurance company, contact our Florida property damage lawyers for help. Here at Klotzman Property Damage Law, we advocate for fair compensation so you can properly repair any damage.
Schedule your free case review today with a Hollywood property damage attorney. When insurance companies fail, Klotzman Property Damage Law succeeds.
