Why Commercial Property Claims Get Denied or Delayed
Insurance companies will often attempt to avoid paying commercial property damage claims through several different methods. Common excuses for delaying or denying claims include:
- Alleged policy exclusions: Insurers can hide behind coverage exclusions if there is even a slightly plausible argument that it applies to your claim. An experienced lawyer can often debunk these arguments, but it might take time and legal action.
- Disputes over repair estimates: Insurers often make lowball repair estimates to persuade claimants to accept early settlement offers that don’t reflect the full value of their losses.
- Insufficient documentation: Gaps in records or other evidence can give insurers an excuse to delay or deny your claim.
- Claims of negligence or improper maintenance: Insurers may attempt to blame the damage on the property owner for ignoring or failing to fix problems.
- Bad faith tactics: Insurers often rely on vague or overly technical policy language to dig for excuses to delay or minimize property damage claims.
An experienced commercial property damage lawyer can help you fight back against unfair claim denials and get the compensation you deserve for your losses.
First Steps to Take After a Denial or Delay
It’s important to have a full view of your situation before fighting back by pursuing an appeal, making a complaint with the state, or filing a lawsuit against the insurance company. Steps to take after receiving a commercial property claim delay or denial include:
- Review your denial letter or delay notice to look for specific reasoning.
- If the insurer’s provided reasoning is inadequate, request a full written explanation of why your claim is being delayed or denied.
- Gather all relevant evidence, including photos, repair estimates, damage reports, and insurance policy documents.
- Don’t make any permanent repairs to the property before getting your insurance company’s approval, unless it’s absolutely necessary.
- Consult a knowledgeable commercial property claim attorney as soon as possible to determine your next steps.
How Lawrence & Associates Can Help with a Denied or Delayed Commercial Property Claim
Our experienced attorneys know how to give you the best chance of successfully contesting a denied or delayed commercial property damage claim. We can explain your policy coverage, collect expert opinions, oversee damage assessments, and negotiate directly with the insurance company to get you the best possible results. If the insurer won’t cooperate, we have extensive experience filing lawsuits for bad faith when necessary.
We’ve served business litigation clients like you in Ohio and Northern Kentucky for two decades, helping recover hundreds of millions in compensation for fire, storm, and flood damage claims, including large-loss property cases. We’re committed to getting you the results you need while providing compassionate care and service throughout the legal process.
Contact a Commercial Property Claim Attorney Today
If your insurer is unfairly delaying or denying your commercial property damage claim, don’t hesitate to take action. Delays can cause the damage to your property to worsen or reduce the value of your potential compensation.
The skilled lawyers with Lawrence & Associates are ready to help. When insurance won’t pay, we’ve got you covered. Our trusted legal team offers virtual consultations for claimants across Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and surrounding areas. Call us today at (513) 951-6723 (OH) or (859) 251-3045 (KY) for a free, confidential consultation or fill out our online form to get started.
