An insurance claim is often filed when life has become unusually stressful due to particularly taxing circumstances. For example, your home may have suffered serious damage, your business may be struggling after a covered loss or you may be facing substantial expenses that you expected insurance to address. When an insurer then delays, undervalues or wrongfully denies a valid claim, the resulting frustration can become overwhelming.
Managing that stress effectively starts with recognizing that you do not have to spend every waking hour fighting with the insurance company. Create a system for keeping claim-related information together, including your policy, photographs, estimates, receipts, correspondence and notes from conversations with adjusters. Staying organized can make the dispute feel more manageable and minimize the anxiety associated with searching for information whenever your insurer contacts you.
What else can you do to minimize your stress?
Consider limiting how often you review claim communications. Constantly refreshing email or repeatedly checking for updates can keep the dispute at the center of your day. Unless something requires an immediate response, setting aside specific times to handle insurance matters can create some separation between the claim and the rest of your life.
Take care of practical needs, as well. If property damage has made your home unsafe, determine whether your policy provides coverage for temporary accommodations. Keep receipts for expenses associated with the loss, and document additional damage rather than attempting unsafe repairs yourself.
It is also important to avoid letting frustration dictate communications with the insurer. Keep correspondence factual and professional. Document what happened, ask clear questions and preserve written responses. A strong record – and the assistance of a legal team skilled in bad faith claims concerns – is generally more useful than an angry exchange with an adjuster.