When Insurers Undervalue Your Claim: Fighting for What You’re Owed

Lowball offers cheat survivors out of justice — we demand fair compensation.

How to Challenge an Insurance Company That Undervalues Your Claim

When an insurance company undervalues your claim, it can feel like they’ve dismissed the true impact of your loss. From medical expenses to home repairs, being offered a fraction of what your case is worth adds financial strain to an already difficult time. At Elizabeth A. Citrin, PC, we know how demoralizing lowball offers can be. Elizabeth and her team work tirelessly to evaluate the full extent of your damages, consult experts when needed, and push back against unfair assessments. With decades of experience, Elizabeth has seen every tactic insurers use to minimize payouts. Our mission is to make sure your claim reflects the true cost of your loss and the justice you deserve. With our guidance, you don’t have to accept less than what’s fair—you can fight for the compensation your future depends on.

When you first contact Elizabeth A. Citrin, PC about a partial denial, we immediately begin with a compassionate intake to hear your story and review every detail of your claim. From there, our team conducts a full policy and claim file audit, examining the declarations, endorsements, exclusions, denial letters, adjuster notes, timelines, and all correspondence to identify where the insurer may have acted in bad faith. We secure independent inspections, medical records, engineer reports, financial documents, or repair estimates as needed to establish the true value of your losses and compare it to the insurer’s decision. This process allows us to pinpoint specific violations—such as undervaluation, unreasonable delays, or misinterpretation of policy language—and build a strong foundation for legal action. By the end of this step, you will have a clear, plain-language strategy that explains your rights, outlines the insurer’s violations, and maps a path toward recovering the full coverage you deserve, all while having direct access to Elizabeth every step of the way.

With your policy and claim file fully analyzed, the next step is to launch a thorough independent investigation that strengthens your case and challenges the insurer’s position. We gather expert reports, contractor and engineer evaluations, medical documentation, financial records, and any other evidence needed to establish the true scope of your losses. Our firm also interviews witnesses, secures photographs, and preserves communications to create a detailed record of how the insurer has failed to act in good faith. By comparing the insurer’s obligations under Alabama, Mississippi, New York, or Connecticut law with their actual conduct, we highlight every instance of delay, denial, or undervaluation. This evidence not only proves your right to coverage but also sets the stage for pursuing additional damages such as emotional distress or punitive damages when the insurer’s misconduct is clear. Throughout this process, Elizabeth explains every step in plain language so you always understand how the investigation strengthens your position and builds leverage against the insurance company.

Once the evidence is secured, Elizabeth A. Citrin, PC moves into the advocacy stage, where we directly confront the insurance company with a comprehensive demand package. This includes a clear summary of your losses, expert reports, financial calculations, and a timeline of the insurer’s bad faith actions. We reference specific policy provisions and applicable state laws to show how the insurer has violated its duties and emphasize the financial, emotional, and practical harm caused by their misconduct. Our goal at this stage is to compel the insurer to resolve the claim fairly and promptly, avoiding further delays or intimidation tactics. Elizabeth leverages her nearly 25 years of experience in negotiations to push for full compensation, while keeping you informed and empowered throughout the process. If the insurer refuses to act in good faith, this step ensures that your case is fully prepared for litigation, with a complete evidentiary record that can stand up in court.

If the insurer still refuses to honor your claim, Elizabeth A. Citrin, PC is fully prepared to escalate your case into litigation. At this stage, we file a detailed bad faith lawsuit outlining every violation of your policy and applicable law, from partial denials to coercive settlement tactics. We pursue not only the full value of your original claim but also additional damages for emotional distress, financial losses, and punitive damages designed to hold the insurer accountable.

Undervalued Insurance Claims – Getting the True Compensation You Deserve

Many clients facing a partial denial later discover their insurer has also undervalued their claim or caused unreasonable delays. If your claim was denied outright, you may want to review our page on unfair claim denials to understand how these tactics differ. Policyholders often encounter overlapping issues, such as excessive proof demands or misinterpretation of policy language, which can make recovery even more difficult. If you’ve experienced threats or ultimatums from your insurer, our bullying and coercion page explains how we fight back against intimidation. Some clients come to us after being completely ignored by their insurance company, and our ignored claims page details how we can step in when communication breaks down. Others face refusal by insurers to approve or deny their claims altogether, leaving them in financial limbo—our refused approvals page covers this in detail. Explore each of these pages to better understand how Elizabeth A. Citrin, PC can connect the dots in your case and fight back against every form of bad faith insurance practice.

How can I tell if my insurance company has unfairly undervalued my claim? Insurers often try to lowball payouts by underestimating repair costs, medical expenses, or property value. Warning signs include estimates that don’t match independent contractor or expert evaluations, refusal to consider documentation you’ve provided, or sudden “take it or leave it” offers. Alabama law requires insurers to evaluate claims fairly and in good faith, and undervaluation can qualify as bad faith when done to minimize payouts. Elizabeth A. Citrin works with independent experts to document your true losses and demand the compensation you are owed.

Can I hire my own independent experts to challenge an undervalued claim?

Can I hire my own independent experts to challenge an undervalued claim? Yes, and it is often the most effective way to dispute an undervaluation. Contractors, engineers, doctors, accountants, and other experts can provide unbiased assessments that expose the insurer’s lowball tactics. Alabama courts recognize the value of independent evidence when insurers attempt to minimize payouts. Elizabeth A. Citrin routinely partners with trusted experts to strengthen your case, ensuring the true extent of your losses is presented and forcing insurers to justify their numbers.

What rights do I have if an adjuster uses threats or intimidation during the claims process?  You have the right to fair and respectful treatment, and intimidation is never acceptable. If an adjuster threatens you, pressures you into accepting less than your claim’s worth, or uses ultimatums, this may constitute insurance bad faith under Alabama law. You may be entitled to recover not just your benefits but also damages for emotional distress and punitive damages against the insurer. Elizabeth A. Citrin defends policyholders from bullying and ensures insurers are held accountable for coercive tactics.