There is something reassuring in knowing that your home and its contents are protected against loss or damage, and that is why a refused claim can be such a devastating experience to endure. Home insurance is complex, and a policy is a legally binding contract that holds within it several clauses and conditions that you need to be aware of. There are five main reasons why a claim can be refused, but with care and conscientiousness, they can all be avoided.

1. Your Own Negligence

Imagine that you have a missing roof tile, which is allowing water to enter your property. You put off fixing the problem because money is tight and the issue doesn’t appear to be too serious. However, without warning, the roof collapses, and the top floor of your home is severely damaged. You sleep easy in the knowledge that your Edinburg home insurance should cover the loss and damage, but then you’re devastated to learn that because the incident could have been prevented with the repair of the roof, your insurance provider has refused the claim. This is a common reason for a refused claim, yet it is usually the easiest to prevent.

2. An Exclusion Clause in Your Policy

Reading the small print of your insurance policy will ensure that you know exactly what you’re not covered for. For instance, there is nearly always an exclusion clause relating to flooding in standard insurance policies. Other excluded perils might include earthquakes and subsidence from disused mines.

3. Inaccurate Information During the Application Process

Whether this was a deliberate attempt to mislead or a genuine error, providing inaccurate information could result in a claim’s instant rejection. It is extremely important to be as honest and forthright during the application process as possible. If you’re in any doubt whatsoever, contact your insurance agent or your insurance provider for guidance. Large claims will always be investigated thoroughly, and even the merest hint of dishonesty or inaccuracy could invalidate your claim.

4. Announcing Your Annual Vacation on Social Media

While you will obviously be brimming with excitement at the prospect of jetting off on vacation, announcing it on Twitter or Facebook could be a huge mistake. Burglars are known to scan these sites for such messages, as they are a signal that you’ll be leaving your home unoccupied. Some insurers will investigate large claims for theft and criminal damage very closely, and they could delve into your online messages as part of that process.

5. Inadequate Security Measures

While insurers are aware that burglars and trespassers will go to enormous lengths to break into a property, they will not tolerate substandard security measures such as broken locks and redundant camera systems. If you have told your insurance company you have an alarm and CCTV, make sure they are in full working order, or your claim could be refused.

Insuring your home and its contents for their true market value is something of a minefield. Call Raymond Longoria Insurance at 888-296-0345, and we can guide you through every stage of the process.