Claims help

Your claim was denied. Here's what to do.

Denials are reversed more often than insurers want you to know. The path is procedural — follow it in order and most homeowners recover at least a partial payout.

We're not your lawyer. This is general guidance to help you understand the process — for denials over $10,000, talk to a policyholder attorney or public adjuster.

1
Get the denial in writing
Insurers must explain denials in writing, citing the specific policy language they're relying on. If you only got a phone call, request the denial letter — and don't take action until you have it.
2
Re-read your dec page and policy
Find the exact clause the carrier cited. Is the language clear? Is the loss type they're calling out actually excluded? Many denials cite ambiguous language that an adjuster's interpretation alone can't enforce.
3
Document everything
Photos, repair estimates, contractor statements, weather reports, dates of communication, names of every adjuster you spoke with. The carrier has a file on you — you need one on them.
4
Request a re-inspection
If the denial hinges on the adjuster's findings (no storm damage, pre-existing condition, wear-and-tear), you can request a re-inspection — sometimes with a different adjuster. Independent licensed adjusters cost $400–$1,500 but often pay for themselves.
5
File a formal appeal
Most carriers have a written appeals process buried in the policy. Use it. Cite the specific clause you believe was misapplied, attach your documentation, and request a written response within 30 days.
6
Escalate to your state's department of insurance
Every state has a consumer-complaint process for insurance. It's free, it's tracked, and carriers take it seriously because state regulators do. Even unresolved complaints create a record that helps if you go to court.
7
Talk to a public adjuster or attorney
For denials above ~$10k, a public adjuster (works on contingency, usually 10–20%) or a policyholder attorney is often worth it. Free consults are standard.

Don't wait for the next denial.

Upload your declarations page now and we'll flag the language and limits that turn into denials at claim time — before you need them.

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Frequently asked

Why was my homeowners insurance claim denied?

The most common reasons: the loss type is excluded (flood, earth movement, wear-and-tear), the cause isn't covered (mold from a slow leak), the damage is below your deductible, the policy lapsed, or the carrier alleges material misrepresentation on the application. Each has a different counter-strategy.

Why do insurance companies deny claims?

Carriers deny when they can cite specific policy language: an exclusion (flood, earth movement, wear-and-tear), a cause-of-loss issue (the damage came from something not covered), a procedural failure (late notice, missing documentation), or a coverage gap (the loss exceeds limits or hits a sub-limit). They also deny when claim costs threaten their loss ratio in a given state — which is why hail-belt and coastal homeowners see more roof denials than the national average. The good news: most denials cite vague language that doesn't survive a documented appeal.

What's the difference between a denied claim and an underpaid claim?

A denial is the carrier saying no — they refused to pay anything because the loss isn't covered (or they argue it isn't). An underpayment means they accepted the claim but the check was lower than the actual damage. The two have different remedies: a denial usually requires proving the loss IS covered (policy language + cause-of-loss evidence), while an underpayment is a scope/price/depreciation dispute. If you got a check that's too low, see our underpayment guide.

How long do I have to appeal a denied claim?

It depends on your state and policy, but most policies require a lawsuit be filed within one to two years of the loss date (not the denial date). Don't wait — the clock is running from the day the damage happened.

Can I sue my homeowners insurance company?

Yes — for breach of contract (failing to pay a valid claim) and, in many states, bad-faith claims handling (additional damages). Most cases settle before trial. A policyholder attorney typically works on contingency for these.

Will appealing a denial raise my rates?

Appealing a denial doesn't raise rates by itself. Filing a claim might affect renewal — but the carrier already knows about the claim if they denied it, so appealing creates no additional rating impact.

Got paid, but the check is too low?

That's an underpayment, not a denial — different problem, different fix. See our guide on why insurance checks come in low and how to dispute them. If it's a roof specifically, start with our roof claim denied guide.

Keep reading

After a claim

Your claim was denied. Here's what to do.

Get the denial in writing

Re-read your dec page and policy

Document everything

Request a re-inspection

File a formal appeal

Escalate to your state's department of insurance

Talk to a public adjuster or attorney