Common Insurance Company Tactics After a Storm Damage Claim

After your property suffers storm damage, you expect your insurance company to step up and honor your policy. Unfortunately, many insurers use a variety of tactics to delay, deny, or underpay valid claims. At Pathway Legal Group, we help property owners across Indiana recognize these tactics and fight back to recover the full compensation they deserve.

Here are some of the most common insurance company strategies used after a storm damage claim:

1. Lowball Settlement Offers Insurance adjusters often present an initial settlement offer that is far lower than the true cost of repairs. They hope policyholders, overwhelmed by the situation, will accept the offer without question.

2. Delaying the Claims Process By dragging out the process, insurance companies hope policyholders will become desperate and accept a lower settlement or simply give up. Common delay tactics include requesting unnecessary documents, reassigning adjusters, or continually "reviewing" the claim.

3. Denying Coverage Based on Exclusions Insurers often cite exclusions or technicalities in the policy to deny claims, such as arguing that damage resulted from wear and tear, neglect, or flooding (which may require separate flood insurance).

4. Misclassifying the Cause of Damage Some insurers attempt to misattribute storm damage to non-covered causes. For example, they might argue that roof damage was due to "age" or "maintenance issues" rather than hail or wind.

5. Depreciating the Value of Repairs Insurance companies may offer to pay only the actual cash value (ACV) of repairs, significantly undervaluing claims unless you fight for replacement cost coverage.

6. Sending Biased "Independent" Adjusters While labeled "independent," many adjusters are heavily influenced by the insurance companies that hire them. Their assessments may downplay or omit significant damages.

7. Using Complex Policy Language Against You Insurance policies are often filled with confusing legal jargon. Insurers rely on the average homeowner not fully understanding their rights and coverage.

8. Claiming the Damage is Below Your Deductible Insurers may minimize the scope of the damage to argue that it falls below your deductible, thereby avoiding payout altogether.

How to Protect Yourself Against These Tactics

• Document all damage thoroughly with photos and videos.

• Keep detailed notes of all communications with your insurer.

• Get independent estimates from reputable contractors.

• Review your policy carefully or have an attorney review it.

• Don’t accept a lowball offer without consulting a legal professional.

How Pathway Legal Group Can Help At Pathway Legal Group, we spent nearly a decade defending insurance companies. We know the tactics they use to deny or devalue storm damage claims. Today, we use that knowledge to advocate fiercely for homeowners across all counties in Indiana.

If you're facing delays, low offers, or denials after a storm, call Pathway Legal Group today at (317) 588-7400 for a free consultation. Let us help you navigate the path to recovery and hold the insurance company accountable.