Imagine this scenario: You’ve experienced a property disaster. You’ve filed a property insurance claim. Your insurance carrier denies your claim. This is not a scenario any property owner wants to experience!

Understanding why denied home insurance claims happen helps policyholders avoid missteps and strengthens their position when negotiating with an insurance adjuster. Below are the top six reasons property claims get denied and what you should know about having a licensed public insurance adjuster on your side.

1. Your Policy Doesn’t Cover the Loss

Many policyholders are surprised to learn that certain losses—like flood, earth movement, or wear-and-tear—are excluded unless added by endorsement. Depending on your carrier, your policy, and your geography, some events just aren’t going to be covered by the insurer. Always read your insurance policy carefully to understand what is and what is not covered. Better yet, contact us for a complimentary review of your policy so we can advise you on what’s likely to be covered and what’s not.

2. You Skipped an Insurance Payment

Failing to pay any installment of your insurance premium can give the carrier grounds to deny your property insurance claim. However, you may be able to dispute the denial if the insurer failed to provide proper notice or a required grace period before canceling your coverage.

3. You Missed the Claim Filing Deadline

Late reporting is one of the leading reasons insurers deny insurance claims. Most insurance policies impose strict deadlines for filing a claim after the date of loss. After the window closes, the carrier may deny your claim entirely.

But before you file an insurance claim, contact Cleveland Public Adjusters. We will review your situation, advise whether filing is truly in your best interest, and guide you through the correct steps from day one to position you for a full and fair settlement.

4. You Didn’t Mitigate Your Losses

Failing to mitigate damage also gives the insurance adjuster grounds to reduce the settlement or deny the claim outright. You are required to mitigate your losses when you sustain damage to your home, by taking steps to prevent further damage from occurring. For example, if a tree falls through your roof, you are required to temporarily patch the roof to prevent water damage to your property. If you can’t demonstrate that you have sufficiently mitigated your losses, your insurance company may deny your claim.

But before contracting with a restoration company, contact us. If you require loss mitigation, our team can help by introducing you to one of our trusted restoration partners in the field. We will also advise you on what mitigation steps should be a priority, so you don’t unnecessarily spend funds that could stay in your pocket.

5. You Made Mistakes Filing Your Claim

Filing an insurance claim can be complex and confusing, and even small errors can have big consequences. Leaving out required information, submitting incomplete documentation, or providing inconsistent details can lead to delays, reductions, or outright denials of your insurance settlement. On the other hand, giving unnecessary or inaccurate information to the insurance adjuster can also hurt your claim and be used to limit what the carrier pays.

This is why filing on your own is a risky move. A public adjuster ensures your claim is complete, properly documented, and strategically presented—so you avoid avoidable mistakes and maximize your chance of a fair settlement.

6. You Received a Bad Faith Claim Denial

While some claim denials are legitimate, others happen for illegal or unfair reasons. These wrongful denials are considered “bad faith” and occur when an insurer refuses to pay a valid claim or mishandles the process. If your claim is denied without a clear explanation—or if the insurer delays, underpays, or misrepresents your coverage—you may be facing a bad-faith denial and should seek professional support immediately.

A licensed public adjuster can identify signs of bad faith, challenge improper denials, and protect your rights throughout the claims process.

A Public Adjuster Works for You

If you experience a property disaster, reach out to Cleveland Public Adjusters before you file an insurance claim. As licensed public adjusters, we work exclusively for policyholders—not insurance carriers—to document your loss, negotiate your settlement, and challenge improper or denied insurance claims.