Our client's vehicle was severely damaged and rendered a total loss during a major hailstorm. Despite comprehensive coverage, the insurance company initially denied the claim, asserting the damage was due to "cosmetic wear and tear" and "pre-existing condition" rather than the specific, sudden storm event.
The insurer relied heavily on old, grainy photos from the initial policy application to support their position. This wrongful denial left our client without the essential funds to replace their primary means of transportation, facing significant personal and financial disruption.
We overcame this by conducting an immediate and independent investigation to definitively link the damage to the storm. We obtained official NOAA weather data for the precise date and location, confirming the storm's intensity and the occurrence of hail. We then commissioned a report from a certified automotive appraiser, who examined the vehicle and conclusively distinguished the fresh, impact-based hail damage from any prior wear. By presenting this clear, timestamped evidence alongside a formal legal demand letter outlining the insurer's bad faith, we dismantled their defense.
Faced with irrefutable proof of a covered peril and the threat of litigation, the insurer reversed its decision and issued a prompt settlement for the vehicle's full pre-loss actual cash value, allowing our client to replace their car without delay.
Result: Our client received a full and fair settlement for their totaled vehicle, enabling them to purchase a replacement and restore their mobility and independence.
