Homeowners Insurance Claims

Not every disagreement with an insurance company is bad faith. However, warning signs may include:

• Unexplained or repeated delays

• An investigation that ignores important evidence

• A settlement offer that does not reflect the actual cost of repairs

• A denial that is vague, inconsistent or unsupported

• Misrepresentations about your policy or available coverage

• Repeated requests for information you have already provided

• Pressure to accept a settlement before the full extent of the damage is known

A pattern of unreasonable conduct may be a sign that your insurer is not handling your claim fairly.

Yes. A homeowners insurance claim does not have to be completely denied to be mishandled.

An insurance company may acknowledge that a loss is covered but still undervalue important parts of the claim, including:

• Structural repairs
• Replacement materials
• Contractor labor
• Building-code upgrades
• Hidden damage
• Personal property
• Temporary housing
• Additional living expenses

An unreasonable underpayment can leave you unable to complete repairs, replace what was lost or safely return home.

Washington insurance companies are required to handle claims fairly and in good faith. They must reasonably investigate claims, communicate with policyholders and provide a basis for their coverage and payment decisions.

Depending on the circumstances, homeowners may be able to pursue unpaid policy benefits, losses caused by the insurer’s conduct, attorney fees and other remedies available under Washington law.

What can Bastion Law do if my homeowners insurance claim is being delayed, denied or underpaid?

Bastion Law can review your policy, claim history, estimates, payments and communications with the insurance company to determine what happened and what benefits may still be owed.

Depending on the claim, we may also:

• Evaluate whether the insurer conducted a fair investigation
• Identify damage, benefits or costs that may have been overlooked
• Work with contractors, engineers, public adjusters and other claim professionals
• Handle communications with the insurance company
• Challenge an unreasonable denial or underpayment
• Negotiate for a fair resolution
• Pursue litigation when the insurance company refuses to resolve the claim fairly

Public adjusters and attorneys serve different roles.

A public adjuster can help document property damage, prepare estimates and present your insurance claim. An attorney evaluates coverage disputes, your legal rights and whether the insurance company’s conduct may violate its contractual or legal obligations.

In some cases, homeowners benefit from working with both. Bastion Law works with public adjusters and other claim professionals when their involvement can help establish the full scope and value of a loss.

Before accepting the insurance company’s decision:

1. Ask for the decision and its reasoning in writing.
2. Request the specific policy provisions the insurer relied upon.
3. Save your policy, estimates, photographs, receipts and correspondence.
4. Keep a record of phone calls, delays and requests for information.
5. Avoid signing a release without understanding what rights you may be giving up.
6. Consider having the claim reviewed by an attorney who handles insurance bad faith disputes.

Deadlines may apply to insurance claims and legal actions, so it is important to seek legal guidance when a serious dispute develops.

There is no single timeline for every homeowners insurance claim. A large fire loss, major water damage or complicated structural claim may reasonably take longer to investigate than a smaller loss.

However, the insurance company should continue investigating and communicating with you as the claim progresses. Repeated unexplained delays, missed deadlines, frequent adjuster changes or long periods without meaningful activity may be reasons to have the claim independently reviewed.

No. An insurance company may have a reasonable basis to deny a claim when the loss is not covered by the policy.

Bad faith may arise when the insurer does not have a reasonable basis for its decision, fails to conduct an adequate investigation, misrepresents the policy or otherwise handles the claim unfairly.

Before accepting a final settlement, make sure the payment accounts for the full extent of the loss, including necessary repairs, replacement costs, personal property, temporary housing and any other benefits available under your policy.

Some settlements may include a release that limits your ability to pursue additional payment later. If you believe the claim has been undervalued or important damage has been left out, consider having the claim reviewed before agreeing to a final resolution.

Bastion Law handles insurance bad faith cases on a contingency-fee basis. That means there are no upfront attorney fees, and the firm is paid only if it successfully recovers compensation for you.

Depending on the circumstances of the case, Washington law may also allow recovery of attorney fees from the insurance company.

The specific fee arrangement and potential costs will be explained before you decide whether to hire the firm.

Helpful documents may include:

• Your homeowners insurance policy
• Coverage or denial letters
• Repair estimates
• Photographs and videos of the damage
• Contractor, engineer or expert reports
• Insurance payment records
• Emails, letters and other communications with the insurer

You do not need to have every document collected before contacting Bastion Law. We can help identify what information may be important after learning more about your claim.