Don’t get ducked out of a payout for your insurance claim!

What are some tactics insurance companies use? 

Insurance companies are profit-focused businesses, which means their loyalty is to themselves and not the homeowners whose properties they insure. 

Here are several common tactics homeowners face when filing an insurance claim.

1. Incomplete damage documentation from the insurance adjuster assigned to the claim:
   • Failure to Inspect Every Area: An adjuster might overlook critical parts of your property—like your roof, attic or under-flooring—where hidden damage often lurks.
   • Insufficient Evidence Gathering: Even visible damage can go undocumented if the adjuster takes inadequate photos or fails to note subtle structural issues.
     
     
2. Disputing the cause of damage:
   • Blame Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurers might argue that damage existed before the hurricane, effectively removing liability for covered repairs.
     
     
3. Lowball payout offers 
   • Under-Valuation of Repairs: Adjusters may significantly understate labor and material costs to justify a smaller payout.
   • Excluding Necessary Work: Some estimates omit key repairs—like replacing damaged insulation or handling mold remediation—forcing homeowners to pay out of pocket.
   • Pressure Tactics to Make Homeowners Feel They Have No Choice: Offering a lowball payout amount and making it seem like the homeowner needs to decide in a short time frame may pressure the homeowner into feeling they might as well accept the lowball offer to not risk zero compensation from the insurance company. 
     
     
4. Delay Tactics
   • Repeated Requests for Documentation: Insurers may continually ask for more information, hoping homeowners will give up or miss crucial deadlines.
   • Prolonged Silence: Unanswered emails or ignored phone calls can wear you down, pushing you to accept a lower offer out of frustration.