3 minute readClaims
Ask for the denial in writing with the specific policy language cited, then review it against your policy. Many denials come down to a factual dispute or missing documentation, and can be reopened with an engineer report, contractor letter, or additional evidence. You can also request a supervisor review, an appraisal, or file with the California Department of Insurance.
What you need to know
Get the reason in writing
A cited exclusion tells you exactly what to rebut.
Build the counter-record
Independent estimates, expert reports, and photos dated before the loss are the strongest tools.
Escalation paths
Supervisor review, the policy's appraisal or appeal provision, and the Department of Insurance complaint process.
Common mistakes
- Cleaning up or repairing before documenting the damage.
- Delaying the report on anything involving injuries or another party.
- Filing small claims that cost more in renewal pricing than they pay.
- Accepting a denial without asking for the specific policy language.
- Signing contractor paperwork assigning claim benefits without reading it.
When to talk to an agent
Call before you file if you can. We will tell you how the loss is likely to be handled, what to document, and whether filing makes sense — and we stay involved once the claim is open.
Frequently asked
This article is general information, not a policy or a promise of coverage. What your policy pays depends on its specific terms, limits and exclusions. Ask us to review your actual policy before making a decision.