What do I do if my umbrella insurance policy claim is denied?

What do I do if my umbrella insurance policy claim is denied?

Sam Friedman (Editor-in-Chief, National Underwriter, Property & Casualty Edition) gives expert video advice on: Do I need umbrella insurance? and more...

If your umbrella insurance liability claim is denied, you have a few options. Most insurance policies allow you to appeal a rejection, in which case all you need to do is provide additional documentation or clarification that could clear things up and get your claim paid. If it's still denied, you might have to get legal counsel. If the lawyer sends a letter, sometimes the insurance company will see the error of its ways and pay the claim. Other times, if you guys are still at an impasse, the lawyer may actually have to sue to recover. In any case, you also have the option to contact and file a complaint with your state insurance department; these are the people that regulate insurers. And you might discover that your insurer has a history of denying these types of claims, which could help you settle your claim.