What's the Connection Between Hail Damage Claim Denials and Insurance Bad Faith? -

Hail damage is more common than you think and can be covered by insurance. However, insurance companies are known to deny hail damage claims, leading to policyholders filing bad faith claims.

Insurance bad faith is when insurance companies fail to investigate a claim properly, deny a claim without any valid reason, delay or refuse to make the payment, or misrepresent their policy terms or coverage. You need legal professionals, like the hail damage attorneys at Pandit Law, to help you navigate the challenges involved.

Hail often causes significant damage to roofs, siding, windows, and other exterior parts of a building anytime it occurs. This is why individuals should have insurance policies in place that can cover any hail damage they may sustain.

Common Reasons for Hail Damage Claim Denials

Insurance companies may deny hail damage claims because:

The claimant cannot prove that the damage was caused by hail, especially in situations where it can also be proven that the damage resulted from or was contributed to by a lack of maintenance or neglect of the individual.
Sometimes, the insurance company can prove that a preexisting condition caused the damage that the claimant claims is caused by hail. Policyholders may fail to report the damage on time, which can lead to their claim being denied.
Some exclusions or limitations apply to hail damage claims, such as a deductible or a limit on the amount of coverage available that policyholders are unaware of.
Sometimes, insurance companies may successfully dispute the extent of the damage or the cost of repairs, leading to a denial of the claim or a low settlement offer.

Signs of Insurance Bad Faith in Hail Damage Claims

There are signs of insurance bad faith in hail damage claims that you should look out for, like:

Unreasonable delays: Insurance companies may be acting in bad faith when they unreasonably delay the claims process.

They do this so that you get frustrated and give up. They may also fail to provide a prompt and fair settlement.
Lack of communication: It is a sign of bad faith when insurance companies refuse or fail to communicate with the policyholders or their lawyers. They intentionally do this so that it will be difficult for the claim to be resolved.
Low settlement offers: It is a sign of insurance bad faith when insurance companies make extremely low settlement offers that do not consider the true extent of the damage or the cost of repairs. Insurance companies usually want to minimize payouts, and an extremely low initial offer is a way to kick things off.

Proving Insurance Bad Faith in Hail Damage Claims

Insurance bad faith happens in hail damage claims, and to prove it, you should:

Document every communication you have with the insurance company. Include the dates, times, and details of conversations.
Gather evidence that will support your claims.
Get opinions from experts that can prove the hail damage you suffered.
If you believe that your insurance company has engaged in bad faith, you can file a complaint with the state insurance department.