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Oklahoma is lyrically where the wind comes sweeping down the plain. So when a severe storm tears through your neighborhood and leaves your roof in shambles, you expect your insurance company to pay for the damage. But what happens if, instead of a check, you get a claim denial letter? It doesn’t have to be the final answer. Homeowners have rights, and with the guidance of an experienced attorney, you can challenge unfair insurance denials and fight for the coverage you deserve.

In Oklahoma, denials of wind and hail damage claims are notorious. Insurers often rejects claims under such pretexts as:

• The roof damage was pre-existing.

• The damage was just normal wear and tear.

• The storm didn’t actually cause the problem.

These justifications often don’t hold up. An attorney can review your denial letter, clarify confusing terms and spot weaknesses in the insurer’s reasoning.

Next, have your attorney review your policy carefully. Insurance policies are dense and technical, filled with exclusions and tricky language. A lawyer can uncover coverage the insurer may have ignored and spot ambiguous terms that should be interpreted in your favor. 

Your policy should provide for the right to an internal appeal of the denial. An appeal isn’t just a letter of protest. It is a legal argument supported by evidence. An experienced attorney knows how to structure an appeal to command the insurer’s attention and get results.

Overturning a wrongful denial requires strong, credible evidence, such as the following:

• Recent photos and videos of your roof’s damage

• Professional reports from contractors or roofing experts

• Official weather data to show the storm’s intensity

• Statements from neighbors with similar storm damage

An attorney can help by arranging for a third-party expert to inspect your roof and produce a report that is more detailed and fact-specific than the report from the insurer’s own adjuster.

If your insurer ignores clear and credible evidence, misrepresents the policy’s coverage terms, drags out the process or makes an unreasonably low offer, they could be acting in bad faith. An attorney can spot these tactics and pursue additional penalties above and beyond the claim’s actual value.

When a property insurance attorney gets involved, the attitude of insurers often changes fast. With the right legal support and well-presented evidence, you can challenge unfair denials, improve your chance of success in an appeal and possibly win damages in a bad-faith claim. Note that under Oklahoma law, you must file a claim within two years of the date that the roof damage occurred.

At Walsh & Franseen in Edmond, Oklahoma, we’ll fight back against wrongful denials of roof damage claims and pursue the payment required under the policy. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 405-843-7600 or contact us online.