Riverside Homeowners Insurance Claim Denials Lawyer

Homeowners Insurance Claim Denials Attorney in Riverside, CA

Homeowners’ insurance provides you with peace of mind that your home will be protected in the event of a sudden natural disaster or other costly damage. When insurance companies deny claims that should be covered, it can be incredibly frustrating and make you feel powerless. However, there are options. A Riverside homeowners’ insurance claim denials lawyer can help you hold insurance companies responsible for unreasonable denials or other bad-faith tactics.

Hire a Homeowners’ Insurance Claim Denials Lawyer at Shaver Legal, APC

Homes in Riverside are at especially high risk from floods, fires and wildfires, earthquakes, and severe storms. After these disasters, many homeowners make claims for damaged or destroyed homes, only to be told the claim is denied. At Shaver Legal, APC, we can help you fight against an insurer that failed to uphold a contract. If you were owed coverage but didn’t receive it, our firm helps you get the financial compensation you need.

When you don’t know how to financially recover from a significant loss, we bring reliable legal representation. Our attorneys are very familiar with the tactics these companies use to avoid paying claims, from misrepresenting coverage to misapplying policy language. We help you gather evidence to hold them accountable. Our firm is your last line of defense against unreasonable insurance companies.

Common Damages for Homeowners’ Insurance Claims in Riverside

Homeowners in Riverside in 2024 carried 489,990 policies for fire insurance coverage, and there were 47,136 policies for earthquake damage. Some of the most common causes of damage to homes in Riverside include:

• Fires, wildfires, and smoke
• Rainstorms, lightning, flooding, and wind
• Winter storms
• Water damage
• Tropical storms and hurricanes
• Earthquakes
• Burglary and theft
• Vandalism

In 2024, the Airport fire destroyed 160 structures in Riverside and Orange Counties, including residential buildings. In 2023, Tropical Storm Hilary caused over $126 million in damage throughout Riverside County.

Unfortunately, homeowners’ insurance policies often don’t cover all these types of damage. Many homeowners have to buy separate coverage for flooding, earthquakes, and other earth movement. It’s important to understand what coverage is offered by your policy or policies and the limitations of that policy. Not all denials are bad-faith, but if you have a legitimate claim that is denied despite being covered by your policy, it can be bad-faith.

Ways That Insurance Companies Can Undermine Homeowners’ Insurance Claims

When your home has suffered damage, especially serious damage from a severe natural disaster, you need the financial support of an insurance claim to move forward with your life. Unfortunately, insurance companies and adjusters often look out for their own interests, trying to avoid paying you what you are owed. There are many ways companies do this:

1. Delay. Companies may unfairly delay a response to your claim, the processing of your claim, or even the payment of a settlement. There are timeframes each of these steps must follow, and insurers that delay these steps could be held accountable.
2. Underpayment. When you make a homeowners’ insurance claim, you provide information about the loss and thorough documentation of the damages. If the damage is covered and clearly documented, but your insurer doesn’t pay you the full value of the damage up to your coverage limits, this could be challenged.
3. Denial. If you have a legitimate claim covered by your policy but it is denied, this can be challenged or even lead to a bad-faith claim. Denials are more common when the damages have a high value, such as your home being destroyed. An insurer may twist the terms in your policy, ignore proof of damages you sent, or fail to investigate the issue before denying it.

A bad-faith claim may be able to recover all the damages that you are owed to cover your home damage, as well as additional damages that you suffered because of the failure of the company to uphold the contract. Not all actions by an insurance company to avoid paying your claim are in bad faith, however. An attorney can still help you challenge the actions and dispute or appeal a denial.

FAQs About Homeowners Insurance Claim Denials Law

How Can You Fight a Home Insurance Claim Denial?

You can fight a home insurance claim denial by reviewing your insurance policy to determine if the claim should be covered and then requesting another review by the company or claims manager.

You can also get in touch with the Consumer Communications Bureau of the California Department of Insurance to discuss your concerns and potentially resolve the claim. Getting in contact with an attorney can also immensely help with the process and help you take the ideal next steps.

Should I Get a Lawyer for a Home Insurance Claim?

Yes, you should get a lawyer for a home insurance claim if it has been wrongfully denied, delayed, or underpaid. When your homeowners’ insurance company engages with you in bad faith, a lawyer can help you assess your claim, gather evidence of the damage, and potentially take the case to court. A lawyer handles communications with the insurer for you and helps you get the settlement that you deserve for the damages suffered.

What Is the 80% Rule in Homeowners’ Insurance?

The 80% rule for homeowners’ insurance is that, traditionally, insurance companies expect that homeowners will have a policy that covers a minimum of 80% of the home’s replacement costs to fully rebuild the home. If you meet this threshold, you are able to recover a full payout for property damage or loss. Otherwise, you may not be able to recover the full damages in a claim.

What Should You Say When Homeowners’ Insurance Denies a Claim?

If homeowners’ insurance denies a claim, you should first check your policy to assess the claim you made. The policy may exclude specific damages or causes that prevent you from making a successful claim. If you review this and still feel the denial was unfair, you should contact the insurance adjuster or company to state that you are appealing or disputing the denial. Gather information, evidence, receipts, and other documentation needed to support your dispute.

Riverside Homeowners’ Insurance Claim Denials Attorney

Just because your homeowners’ insurance company refuses a claim, that doesn’t mean this is the end of your claim. When you hire a homeowners insurance claim denials lawyer at Shaver Legal, APC, we support your rights. Reach out to our firm today.