Five Signs Your Insurer Is Acting in Bad Faith After a Hurricane

Your home is in pieces. The storm has passed, but now comes the fight you didn’t expect—the one with your insurance company. You file your claim, expecting support, only to be met with silence, confusing responses, or lowball offers. That’s when the real stress begins.

Insurance is supposed to help you rebuild, not create more chaos. When your insurer starts dragging things out or making the process harder than it needs to be, it could be a sign they’re not playing fair. Recognizing the red flags early puts you in a stronger position to protect your claim and move forward with confidence.

When you're not getting updates, that's often a bad sign. If your claim remains "under review" for weeks or even months after you’ve turned in all the paperwork, it’s natural to feel frustrated. You've done your part—maybe even submitted photos of damage, contractor estimates, and receipts—and silence may mean your insurer isn’t giving your case the attention it needs. If that silence drags on, a hurricane insurance attorney may be able to step in and get things moving.

If they keep changing the adjuster assigned to your case, that can cause more delays. Each new person might ask you to explain your situation again, dragging things out even longer. Keep track of all your emails, calls, and documents. That way, you’ll have a clear record if you need to push for answers or escalate the issue to someone who can advocate on your behalf.

Sometimes insurers try to rush you into accepting a low payout, pressuring you with tight deadlines or warning that delays could affect your claim. That can leave you stuck between taking too little or risking more setbacks. You might hear lines like, “This is the best we can offer,” or, “You’ll wait even longer if you push back.” Don’t let the pressure force a quick decision.

Ask for a detailed explanation of how they arrived at the estimate—including labor costs, materials, and what repairs were excluded. You have every right to question their math and demand a payout that matches real-world costs. A clear, itemized breakdown gives you the information you need to push for what’s fair.

Getting a denial for your claim can be stressful—especially when the reasons don't seem to match what’s in your policy. Insurers might label hurricane damage incorrectly or get your deductible wrong, making the process more complicated than it should be. If something about the denial feels off, it’s time to dig deeper.

When the denial letter is vague or lacks specific explanations, it becomes hard to respond properly. That lack of clarity makes you question whether your insurer is acting in good faith. Take time to review your policy closely and look for gaps in their explanation.

If your insurer keeps asking for more and more paperwork—especially stuff that doesn’t directly relate to your damage—that’s a possible tactic to drag things out. When it feels like you're stuck resending the same documents or reformatting files, it starts to look more like a delay strategy than a real need.

This constant back-and-forth can wear you down. Even the most patient person can start to feel helpless. But keeping a careful log of what you’ve already sent and when you sent it helps you stay on top of things. Treat each request as something you can push back on if it feels unnecessary.

If your insurer tries to talk you out of hiring a lawyer or public adjuster, take that seriously. You have every right to explore outside help—especially if the process feels one-sided or confusing. Comments like “it’ll only cost you more” or “you don’t need that” are often meant to keep control in their hands.

Document these conversations and trust your judgment. Getting support from someone who understands insurance law can shift the balance in your favor and reveal options you didn’t know you had. You don’t have to go through this alone—and you shouldn’t be pressured to.

Dealing with hurricane damage is overwhelming—and when your insurer stalls or complicates your claim, it adds insult to injury. Watch for signs like delays, vague denials, low estimates, or excessive paperwork. Keep a detailed log of every interaction, including emails, phone calls, and documents submitted. Ask questions, challenge numbers that don’t add up, and don’t hesitate to push back when something feels off. If your insurer discourages you from seeking outside help, that’s a warning sign. You have the right to advocate for yourself. Stay organized, trust your instincts, and speak up when the process stops feeling fair or honest.