Top 5 Reasons Why Homeowners Insurance Claims Get Denied in St. Petersburg

Homeowners insurance provides protection for property and assets from damage. Florida, with areas like St. Petersburg, often experiences hurricanes and flooding. This brings about risks associated with homeowners. Insurance is primarily meant to act as a safety net when there are disasters. The good news is that not all homeowners’ insurance claims are rejected.
Top Five Reasons Why Homeowners’ Insurance Claims Get Rejected
1. Lack of Coverage
Among the common reasons for a claim denial is inadequate coverage. Many homeowners tend to underestimate the cost of repair or rebuilding and purchase policies that do not cover specific perils such as flooding or hurricane damage. St. Petersburg is flood-prone, and standard homeowners insurance does not include flood coverage. Without an additional flood insurance policy, claims related to water damage may be denied.
2. Failure to Maintain the Property
Insurance policies often require homeowners to maintain their property to a reasonable standard. Claims resulting from negligence, such as a roof in disrepair or failure to address plumbing leaks, may be rejected. In St. Petersburg’s humid climate, ignoring maintenance can lead to mold growth or structural issues, which insurers might classify as preventable and deny coverage.
3. Late Reporting of Claims
Timeliness is essential when making an insurance claim. In case you delay reporting damage, the insurers will argue that the extent of damage increased due to your inaction. Florida policies usually have a specific time limit for submitting claims, and if you fail to meet these deadlines, they may deny your claim.
4. Excluded Perils
Insurance policies have a list of covered and excluded perils. For example, in certain areas of Florida, sinkhole damage is not covered except by a specific policy covering sinkholes. Knowing what your policy excludes will prevent any surprises when you file a claim.
5. Misrepresentation or Incomplete Information
Giving false or partial information during the claims process may cause a denial. These include undervaluing the value of damaged goods, overestimating losses, or leaving out pertinent details. Insurers scrutinize all claims, and inconsistencies may lead to denial.
Bottom Line!
Review of insurance policies is continually offered to homeowners in St. Petersburg so their property and risks are appropriately covered. A local insurance agent can help review terms in a policy and help prepare you for potential claims. Being forearmed about common pitfalls will improve your chances of winning a claim process.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is a St Pete car accident attorney. She focuses on personal injury, car accidents, and bicyclist injuries. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your situation.
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