What to Do If Your Homeowners Insurance Company Is Stalling

Insurance companies sometimes delay claims, adding stress when you're 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 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 regularly. If the issue persists, file a formal complaint with your state's insurance department and consider legal advice. Understanding your rights and being proactive improves your chances of getting a homeowners insurance payout.

Legal counsel advocates for homeowners when insurers delay claims without valid reasons. An attorney who specializes in insurance law can negotiate on your behalf, represent you in disputes and help you understand your policy's terms.

Consider hiring an attorney if your insurer continuously delays your claim without valid reasons despite your efforts to resolve it. Legal help also makes sense when you're disputing the claim amount, coverage determination or denial. Complex claims involving substantial damage or legal complications benefit from professional representation.

Find lawyers specializing in insurance law or who have experience with homeowners insurance claims. Most attorneys offer free consultations to discuss your case and explain your options. You'll sign an engagement agreement if you decide to proceed with representation.

An attorney provides expert advice on insurance laws and your policy's specifics. They handle negotiations with your insurer to secure a fair settlement and represent you in legal proceedings if necessary. Attorney fees vary and may be hourly, flat or contingent on your claim's success. Your attorney should provide regular updates about your claim's status.

Public adjusters are licensed professionals who work for you, not your insurer. They review your policy, evaluate the damage and handle your entire claim when delays occur.

Their expertise in insurance laws and negotiation helps secure fair settlements. Public adjusters manage all communication with your insurance company, removing the stress and complexity from the claims process.

Home insurance providers stall for several reasons related to internal processes, business practices or your claim's circumstances. Some delays stem from legitimate processing needs, while others result from intentional tactics.

Insurance claims require complex review, and multiple factors affect resolution time.

Knowing your rights as a policyholder helps you recognize when your insurer isn't meeting its obligations. You can manage claims effectively, handle disputes and ensure you receive the financial protection you're entitled to under your policy's terms.

Your Rights as a Policyholder

You have the right to fair, nondiscriminatory treatment from your insurer, including clear communication. Insurers must respond promptly to your inquiries and claims and explain any delays. You can clearly understand your policy's coverage, exclusions, limits and deductibles.

If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision and receive a detailed explanation for the denial. When dissatisfied with claim handling, file a complaint against your insurer with your state insurance department. You can also hire legal or professional representation, like a public adjuster, when dealing with your insurer.

You have the right to a timely and unbiased investigation and settlement of your claims.

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

Understanding why your homeowners insurance company is stalling helps you determine what to do next. Start by documenting all interactions, following up consistently and providing requested information. If delays continue, file a complaint with your state's insurance department, seek legal advice or hire a public adjuster.

Claim delays frustrate homeowners already dealing with property damage. We researched when delays cross from legitimate processing into intentional stalling.

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

Our baseline homeowner profile:

• Good credit score (769 to 792 range)
• Home built in 2000 with wood-frame construction
• Composite shingle roof
• $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.

We researched state insurance regulations to establish what constitutes unreasonable delays. Several patterns distinguish legitimate processing from intentional stalling. Insurers may repeatedly request documentation you've already submitted, give vague responses without timelines, ignore follow-ups beyond reasonable time frames or change your assigned adjuster without explanation.

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