What to Do if the Homeowners Insurance Company Is Stalling

Insurance companies sometimes extend claims, adding stress when you're already dealing with property damage. Don't let delays derail your claim.Make sure you've submitted all required paperwork and met your policy's deadlines.

If delays continue beyond reasonable timeframes, escalate your complaint. File a formal complaint with your state's insurance department, which can investigate and pressure insurers to act. You can also hire a public adjuster to negotiate on your behalf. These professionals know insurance law and can often resolve stalled claims more effectively than individual policyholders.

For complex cases or suspected bad faith practices, consult an attorney who specializes in insurance disputes.

If your homeowners insurance company is stalling, document all interactions and follow up diligently. If the issue persists, file a formal complaint with your state's insurance department and consider seeking legal advice. Understanding your rights and being proactive can improve your chances of getting a homeowners insurance payout.

Legal counsel advocates for homeowners, representing their interests in dealings with insurance companies. A lawyer can help when your insurer delays your claim. 

Wondering when to call a lawyer? Here's when and how to seek legal advice and what to expect from hiring an attorney:

• Persistent Delays: If your insurance claim is continuously delayed without a valid reason, despite your efforts to resolve it.
• Dispute Over Claim: If there are disputes regarding the claim amount, coverage or denial of your claim.
• Complex Claims: When your claim is complicated, involving substantial damages or legal intricacies.

• Research Attorneys: Find lawyers who specialize in insurance law or have experience with homeowners insurance claims.
• Initial Consultation: Most attorneys offer free initial consultations to discuss your case and explain your options.
• Engagement: If you decide to proceed, you'll sign an engagement agreement to begin official representation.

• Expert Guidance: An attorney can provide expert advice on insurance laws and your policy's specifics.
• Negotiation: They handle negotiations with your insurer to get you a fair settlement.
• Representation: If necessary, they represent you in legal proceedings or disputes with the insurance company.
• Fees: Be aware of their fee structure, which might be hourly, a flat fee or contingent on your claim's success.
• Communication: They should provide regular updates and maintain open communication regarding your claim's status.

Public adjusters are licensed professionals who assist homeowners with home insurance claims, particularly during delays. They check your policy, evaluate the damage and take care of your entire claim. 

Their expertise in insurance laws and negotiation helps secure fair settlements and reduces your burden, streamlining the claim process. By handling communication with insurance companies, they alleviate the stress and complexity of insurance claims.

Wondering why your claim seems delayed? Home insurance providers stall for several reasons, often related to their internal processes, business practices or circumstances surrounding your claim. Understanding these reasons can help you better navigate the situation and know when delays are legitimate versus when you need to take action.

While these are potential reasons for stalling, not all delays are intentional or malicious. Insurance claims can be complex, and various legitimate factors can contribute to resolution time.

Understanding your rights as a homeowners insurance policyholder makes sure fair and just treatment from your insurance provider. This empowers you to manage claims, handle disputes and recognize when your policy's terms are being met or violated. 

This knowledge helps you protect your interests and receive the financial protection you're entitled to under your policy, subject to your specific coverage limits, deductibles and policy terms.

• Fair Treatment: You have the right to fair and non-discriminatory treatment from your insurance company, including clear communication.
• Prompt Communication: Insurers must promptly respond to your inquiries and claims and explain any delays.
• Policy Clarity: You clearly understand your policy's coverage, exclusions, limits and deductibles.
• Appeal Rights: If a claim is denied, you can appeal the decision and receive a detailed explanation for the denial.
• Filing Complaints: If you're dissatisfied with claim handling, you can file a complaint against your insurance company with your state insurance department.
• Representation: When dealing with your insurance company, you may hire legal or professional representation, like a public adjuster.
• Fair Claims Process: You have the right to a timely and unbiased investigation and settlement of your insurance claims.

While some delays in home insurance claims are due to legitimate reasons, others may stem from avoidable issues within the process. Knowing the signs of a potential intentional delay can help you respond quickly and keep your claim on track.

If your homeowners insurance company is stalling, you don’t have to wait in frustration. Whether through formal complaints, hiring a public adjuster or getting legal support, you have tools to move your claim forward.

Understanding why your homeowners insurance company is stalling helps you determine what to do next. You can take several steps, including following up consistently and providing all requested requirements. If the situation worsens, you can seek legal advice. We answered frequently asked questions to help you navigate this issue.

We gathered quotes from multiple insurance providers across the U.S. using standardized homeowner profiles that reflect typical households, then examined how different companies handle claims processing through their documented response times, state complaint records, and policyholder experiences with delayed claims.

Our baseline homeowner profile included:

• Good credit score (769 to 792 range)
• Home built in 2000 with wood-frame construction
• Composite shingle roof (the most common material)
• $250,000 dwelling coverage, $125,000 personal property coverage, $200,000 liability protection
• $1,000 deductible

For higher-value homes facing complex claims, we expanded coverage to $1 million dwelling, $500,000 personal property, and $1 million liability to understand how claim complexity scales with property values and coverage amounts.

To establish what constitutes unreasonable delays, we researched state insurance regulations across the country. 

We examined patterns that distinguish legitimate processing time from intentional stalling: repeated requests for identical documentation you've already submitted, vague responses without clear timelines, ignored follow-ups beyond reasonable time frames, and unexplained changes in your assigned adjuster that disrupt claim progress. 

Our analysis identified when homeowners should escalate beyond standard follow-ups to help move their claims forward.