My claim was denied. What can I do?

Short answer: A denial isn't the end of the claim. Start with the denial letter: it should name the reason and the policy language. From there you usually have five options: better documentation and negotiation (through a licensed public adjuster or on your own), appraisal, Florida's DFS mediation program, a complaint to the state insurance department, or an attorney.

Read the letter first

Every denial rests on a reason: wear and tear, late notice, flood instead of wind, long-term leakage, no direct physical loss, or an exclusion in your policy. The reason tells you what evidence answers it. An engineer's report, for example, can be answered with better evidence about what caused the damage and when.

Your options

• Documentation and negotiation: a licensed public adjuster reinspects, documents and presents the claim again.
• Appraisal: if your policy has an appraisal clause, it can resolve disputes about the amount of the loss. How appraisal works.
• DFS mediation (Florida): paid for by the insurer and nonbinding, for personal lines and commercial residential claims (Fla. Stat. §627.7015).
• A complaint to the state insurance department.
• An attorney and a lawsuit: in Florida, written notice of intent to sue must be given at least 10 business days before filing (Fla. Stat. §627.70152).

See our guides to the most common denials: wear and tear, late notice, flood, not wind and long-term leak.

Follow-up questions