Homeowner's Disputing Insurer Damage Estimate
Options for Disputing What Your Homeowner’s Insurer Will Pay for Covered Damages
Filing an insurance claim after your home has been damaged by storm, fire or other perils can be a very emotional and scary time. Your biggest investment needs unexpected repairs – and in the worst of cases – may need to be rebuilt. But what if you disagree on what your insurance company will pay for those repairs.
You have options.
Discuss it with your insurer
Your first option is to contact your insurance company and explain why you think the payment is unfair. Be prepared to support your reasons.
- Make sure you’ve submitted everything the insurance company requires.
- Include written estimates from contract, including a detailed list of all construction material, labor and other costs needed to repair or rebuild.
- If the company denies any part of the claim – keep the written claim denial paperwork.
Consider using the appraisal process
If you and your insurer cannot agree on the actual cash value or amount of loss, check your policy or ask your agent if your policy has an appraisal clause. The appraisal process is a way to settle disputes without going to court. Here’s how it works:
- You and the insurance company will both use different appraisers to come up with an estimate of loss. You will likely have to pay for your appraisal.
- Both appraisers will then pick an arbitrator, an independent and neutral third party, to look at both estimates.
- The neutral arbitrator will decide on which estimate to use. That decision is binding on both parties.
Litigation
If you are still not satisfied with the results, you have the right to sue the insurance company at your cost.
Help is Here
If you think you are being treated unfairly, you can file a complaint with the Connecticut Insurance Department at this link:
For questions or concerns on this topic or any insurance topic, contact the Connecticut Insurance Department at 860-297-3900 or email at insurance@ct.gov