Water Leak Damage Claims Ireland - What To Do When Your Insurance Claim Gets Denied

By Author: Patrick Brown
Total Articles: 3
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Water Leak Damages are the most common type of insurance claims under Homeowner’s Insurance and if you are making an insurance claim for the first time, and it gets denied, do not panic. Getting water leak insurance claim denials is not a new thing in Ireland. While it is true that you cannot reverse the decision in legitimate cases, there is still hope that you can challenge the claim denial when you are not sure about the actual reason.

What Should Be Your First Move When Your Insurer Declines Your Claim

If your homeowners’ insurance claim is rejected the insurer is supposed to notify you via mail and nowadays you receive an email as well.

This letter is supposed to clarify the entire situation and justify the reason why you are being denied the insurance claim.

The common reasons why property insurance claims are denied include

• Late payment or non-payment of premiums

• Late notification - you have to notify the insurer within a specified timeframe after the incident

• The Peril is clearly not included in the insurance coverage, such as ...
... gradual damage.

• If during investigation it is revealed that you were not telling the truth while making the insurance claim or failed to disclose vital information that may directly affect the insurance policy.

So the first thing you should do when you receive this notification of denial is read the rejection letter carefully and try to understand if the “reason” mentioned in the letter is legitimate or not, or whether you can fully understand what it means. If you find out that the stated reason does not match your consequence or the truth, then you have full right and position to challenge the decision.

How To Challenge A Denial Of Water Leak Damage Claim Ireland

If there is any kind of dispute between the insurance company and the policyholder, the matter is resolved through the process of “arbitration”. The act of “challenging” an insurance claim is carried out via an “Appeal”.

Now it is true that pursuing an appeal against insurance claim denials can be complex. But if you are confident that your property damage is eligible to get coverage, and can show valid points in your insurance policy that is not complying with the reason behind the declination, you should hold on to your appeal and the process that follows. Because at the end of the day, that’s your money. You need to get in touch with the Loss Adjuster in your Insurance Company, as well as your own agent or loss assessor if you have one. Discuss the whole thing and be absolutely clear about your point. It takes a series of negotiations and assembling your documents, including bills, receipts, witness statements etc. to strengthen your appeal.

Role Of A Loss Assessor Ireland

Insurance companies operate through their own appointed loss adjusters - whose job is to investigate an insurance claim and make an estimation of the damage and that reflect the chance and the amount of insurance coverage. Though there is little chance of a reputed insurance company to get away by illegitimate denials of policy claims, a loss adjuster still at the end of the day is paid to favour the insurance company’s interests foremost.

The role of a loss assessor is all but the same, the only difference is that instead of the insurance company, it is you the policyholder who will hire the professional, to get an independent estimation, favouring your interests foremost. This is also known as an independent public insurance adjuster. And because of the similar terminology, people often confuse the two.

Having a loss assessor gives the policyholder the advantage of a second professional review and opinion of the losses - that may work as further evidence or witness to your argument, strengthening your appeal. Moreover, the agents can also guide the policyholders in making wise decisions, take care of prompt responses and help their clients avoid pitfalls or wrong moves in a vital moment. But remember, having your own loss adjuster does not improve your chances to get the insurance coverage if the denial is legitimate.

Author Bio:

The author is associated with RM Gibbons Loss Assessors Ireland, a trusted service provider as Quantity Surveyor and Loss Assessors - that help people get the best settlements for homeowners’ insurance and water leak damage claims Ireland has to offer.