Can I Sue My Insurance Company if They Deny My Claim?
One of the questions we hear a lot from policyholders whose claims have been denied is, “Can I sue to recover my money?” The short answer to that question is “yes, but.” The simple truth is that many claim denials are appropriate, and in those cases any lawsuit that is filed would likely be unsuccessful.…
Read MoreWhat Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover?
You buy homeowners’ insurance for the same reason you buy any kind of insurance policy: to protect you in the event of a misfortune of some kind. While there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” insurance policy, homeowners’ usually covers the following: Structural damage. First and foremost, your policy covers physical…
Read MoreWhat is a Proof of Loss?
One of the most often-overlooked pieces of the insurance claim process is the submission of a “proof of loss.” What is a proof of loss? It’s nothing more than a one-page document that, at the top, says “Sworn Statement in Proof of Loss,” and it is your claim. It is setting forth what you’re owed,…
Read MoreTypes of Insurance Coverage in Your Policy
Under a homeowner’s policy, there are multiple types of coverage that the policy provides. First is structure coverage; so, that is going to cover the home, for example, in a fire loss. Other structure coverage would be a detached garage that may also be damaged. There’s often debris removal coverage; coverage for trees, shrubs, etc.…
Read MoreMoving Forward After the Fires: What You Should Know about Making a Claim for Soot, Ash or Smoke Damage
On November 28, 2016, Gatlinburg and the surrounding areas experienced firsthand the devastation of the wildfires. The wildfires that ripped through the Smokies led to the deaths of 12 people, and injured almost 200 more. Close to 18,000 acres burned in two separate locations, and hundreds of people either lost their homes or businesses, or…
Read MoreHomeowner Headaches: When the Insurance Company Pushes Back on O & P
Let’s say that the worst has come to pass, and your home has sustained a significant amount of damage (as it would in a house fire). In order to make your home livable again, you need to hire a general contractor, who in turn is going to work with a plumber and an electrician in…
Read MoreMerry Christmas! The House Is on Fire
The holiday season is upon us, which means some of you are going to have a lot of people running around your houses pretty soon. Big parties and holiday dinners are fun, but they can also lead to property damage. The most likely culprit? A house fire – but slippery walkways and anxious pets can…
Read MoreHow Can Gilbert McWherter Scott Bobbitt PLC Assist You with Your Contents Claim?
McWherter Scott & Bobbitt can help an insured or policyholder when an issue arises on contents coverage, whether that issues arises before a lawsuit’s filed or after a lawsuit’s filed. And the way we can assist is helping gather the information, getting in touch with and hiring the proper people to assist in sifting the…
Read MoreWhen Should I Hire a Lawyer?
At what point in the claim process do I get involved? That varies – so much so, sometimes. I’ve got clients now, former clients that have another loss that have called me the day after. So sometimes it happens very, very quickly. On the other end of the spectrum, I’ll have lawyers who are handling…
Read MoreThe Appraisal Provision of Your Homeowners’ Policy May Increase Your Odds of Receiving an Appropriate Settlement
You purchase homeowners’ insurance in case the worst comes to pass, and your home sustains serious damage. Buried within the contract is something called the appraisal provision, or appraisal clause. The International Risk Management Institute defines this as a “property insurance provision allowing either the insurer or the insured to demand a binding appraisal of…
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