Life changes in an instant when flood waters rise near your property. You go to sleep thinking everything’s fine, then wake up to water pouring through your walls and treasured possessions floating across your living room. The emotional toll hits hard – but dealing with your insurance company afterward often feels worse.
The Insurance Law Firm, founded and led by David R. Grimmett, has helped countless Tennessee residents and business owners fight a flood insurance claim denial. With tactful negotiations, our team pushes back when insurance companies attempt to cut corners because we believe everyone is entitled to the compensation they’ve paid into for years. So, if you’re facing property insurance trouble over flood damage, water damage, tornado damage, or anything in between, do not wait to contact us for assistance.
Insurance companies know being overwhelmed after a flood or other natural disaster makes you vulnerable, and they know just how to take advantage. We repeatedly see the same patterns in how claims get processed following major storms or natural disasters that affect multiple properties simultaneously. Let’s dive into some of the most common bad-faith tactics so you can know what to look out for.
Your home insurance policy likely contains pages of technical language distinguishing “flood damage” from “water damage” – with dramatically different coverage limits for each. This definition game becomes a powerful tool for claim denials. Water seeping through your foundation might fall under “groundwater intrusion” rather than “flood.” A roof leak during heavy rain might qualify as “storm damage” but not “flood damage.”
This linguistic maze confuses even experienced homeowners, leaving them frustrated when coverage they assumed existed suddenly vanishes behind technical terminology. The resulting gaps often leave families responsible for thousands in repairs their policy should have covered.
“Pre-existing damage” becomes a favorite phrase for adjusters looking to deny flood claims. They might suggest your roof previously leaked, your foundation already had cracks, or your plumbing system showed signs of wear before the flood event.
This tactic shifts the blame onto you as the homeowner for not taking prior action. Suddenly, you’re defending your home maintenance practices while still reeling from the initial disaster. Companies might even send multiple adjusters who each focus on finding different exclusions. They photograph minor issues unrelated to the flood, then use these as justification for denying major portions of your claim. The burden falls on you to prove damage resulted directly from the covered event – a difficult task without proper documentation or professional assistance.
When an adjuster walks through a flooded home, every detail counts. Yet, too often, insurance companies send adjusters who underestimate the impact. Some may downplay the extent of the damage, while others might misclassify it altogether. Even worse, these reports get used to justify low settlements. That means a homeowner trying to recover from water damage ends up footing the bill. A flood damage insurance lawyer like David R. Grimmett can step in to challenge these mischaracterizations and advocate for a fair review.
Recognizing early signs of bad faith claim handling can save time, protect your finances, and keep stress from piling up. When an insurance company starts playing games after you’ve submitted a flood damage insurance claim, delays, and low offers aren’t just inconvenient—they may point to something deeper. These behaviors could suggest the company is trying to avoid its responsibility under the insurance policy. Knowing what to watch for gives you a better chance of responding with clarity and confidently taking the next step.
Unexplained or Long Delays: When weeks pass with little to no update, it may signal an effort to wear you down. Flood damage claims typically require urgency, so unnecessary delays could mean your claim is being pushed aside.
Low Settlement Offers That Ignore Real Costs: If the offer doesn’t reflect the actual property damage or cleanup costs, the company might be undervaluing the claim on purpose. This tactic often forces people to accept less out of desperation.
Changing Reasons for Denial or Reduction: When a company keeps shifting its explanation for denying your claim, it can create confusion and stress. This behavior may show they are avoiding a clear review of your flood damage insurance claim.
Poor Communication or Refusal to Answer Direct Questions: A company that avoids calls, emails, or fails to explain its decisions may be operating in bad faith. Communication should stay open and informative throughout the claim process.
Blaming the Homeowner Without Evidence: Some insurers quickly point to “lack of maintenance” as an excuse to deny a claim. It’s worth questioning their intentions when this happens without an inspection or supporting documents.
Pressure to Accept a Quick Payout: If an adjuster urges you to settle fast without a full review of the damage, it may be a tactic to avoid deeper payouts. Flood-related issues often go beyond surface-level repairs and need a careful assessment.
Inconsistent or Incomplete Damage Assessments: Reports that fail to include major damage, ignore structural concerns, or mislabel causes can be signs of a rushed or careless review. These mistakes can affect how much compensation you receive.
Refusal to Provide a Copy of the Full Policy: When a company won’t give you access to the complete insurance policy, it becomes harder to verify your coverage. This limits your ability to appeal or fight back if the claim is mishandled.
Misclassification of Flood Damage as Another Type of Loss: If the adjuster claims your property damage falls under a different category—such as standard water damage instead of flood-related issues—they may be trying to shift the responsibility. This reclassification could block access to the flood benefits you paid for.
These signs don’t always mean bad faith practices are happening, but when they start to stack up, it’s time to speak with a flood damage insurance lawyer who can review your situation and guide you forward.
You have rights when facing a claim denial. These include reviewing your complete claim file, appealing decisions through internal company processes, filing complaints with state insurance regulators, and pursuing legal action for breach of contract or bad faith practices. After all, your policy represents a promise of protection – and that promise carries legal weight when companies fail to deliver.
David R. Grimmett approaches every flood damage case with compassion, urgency, and a deep understanding of how insurance companies operate. As a flood damage insurance lawyer, his focus remains on protecting policyholders from being taken advantage of after a disaster. He knows how to analyze complex insurance language and challenge underhanded denial tactics.
His work also begins with listening. Once he understands the details of your claim—how the flood happened, what kind of damages you’re facing, and how the insurance company has responded—he starts building a strong response. He can negotiate directly with the insurance company, work with experts to document property damage and prepare a solid legal strategy if a lawsuit becomes necessary.
Flooding quickly turns your life upside down. Between dealing with repairs, staying safe, and trying to get answers from your insurer, stress adds up fast. If your flood damage insurance claim isn’t moving forward or if you’ve hit a wall with a flood insurance denial, speaking with a lawyer can offer relief and direction.
The Insurance Law Firm serves homeowners and property owners throughout Middle Tennessee. David R. Grimmett has experience with insurance policy disputes, appeals, and lawsuits involving bad-faith claim handling. If an insurer is trying to shortchange you, he’s ready to stand up for your rights. Connect with us today and talk through your situation—we’re here to help you rebuild with confidence and clarity.
Our legal services also extend to water damage, fire damage, flood damage, sinkhole damage, theft claims, and other bad-faith insurance cases.
