Insurance Disputes

Insurance companies sell peace of mind, but when it is time to pay a valid claim, many of them delay, underpay, or deny coverage outright. Policyholders who already faced a storm, a wreck, a fire, or a serious illness are then forced to fight their own insurer just to get the benefits they paid for. Maples, Connick & Brendel represents individuals and businesses who have been wronged by their insurance carriers, and we are not afraid to take an insurer to court when that is what it takes.

Types of Insurance Disputes We Handle

Homeowners and property insurance claims involving hurricane, wind, hail, fire, water, and mold damage. We handle low-ball estimates, denied claims, delayed payments, scope-of-loss disputes, and bad-faith handling.

Auto and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage disputes when the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover your injuries, or when your own carrier wrongfully denies UM/UIM benefits, refuses to pay medical payments coverage, or undervalues a totaled vehicle.

Commercial and business insurance claims involving property damage, business interruption losses, equipment breakdown, and commercial general liability coverage disputes that threaten a company’s ability to stay open.

Life insurance disputes when an insurer wrongfully denies a death benefit, contests the policy based on alleged misrepresentations, or delays payment to grieving beneficiaries.

Disability insurance claims under individual or employer-provided long-term and short-term disability policies, including appeals when a carrier denies or terminates benefits.

Health insurance coverage disputes involving denied procedures, out-of-network billing fights, and claims wrongfully classified as not medically necessary.

Common Insurer Tactics

Insurance disputes follow patterns. Carriers send adjusters who lowball the damage on the first visit. They request endless paperwork to run out the clock. They blame pre-existing conditions or prior damage that has nothing to do with the loss. They quote policy exclusions that do not actually apply. They pressure injured people into recorded statements and quick settlement releases. They send “reservation of rights” letters that are written to scare policyholders into giving up. Recognizing these tactics is the first step to pushing back against them.

What to Do if Your Claim Is Denied or Delayed

Save every letter, email, and voicemail from the carrier. Write down the date, time, and name of every adjuster you speak with and a summary of what was said. Keep copies of your policy, declarations page, and any endorsements. Document the loss with photos, video, receipts, and repair estimates from contractors you trust — not just the carrier’s preferred vendors. Do not give a recorded statement or sign a release of medical records, a settlement, or a “non-waiver” agreement without speaking to an attorney. And do not let any response window in a denial letter pass before you get advice on your options.

Our Approach to Insurance Disputes

We start every case by reading the policy line by line, including endorsements, exclusions, and any choice-of-law and venue provisions. We document the full scope of the loss and the carrier’s conduct from the first notice forward. When the facts support it, we pursue claims for breach of contract, statutory penalties for bad-faith claim handling, attorney’s fees, and any additional damages allowed under the applicable law. Many carriers are willing to settle for full value once they understand we are prepared to file suit, take depositions, and try the case in front of a jury — and we are prepared to do exactly that.

If your insurance company is delaying, underpaying, or denying a claim you believe should be covered, contact us for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover for you.