Adv. Sassi Lev | Property insurance claims and torts | Car · Home · Business | Claims management for companies
Adv. Sassi Lev | Property insurance claims and torts
077-444-7050|sassi@lev-lawfirm.com|Leonardo da Vinci 14, Tel Aviv
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FAQ

Questions about
insurance claims

Short answers to the questions that come up most at the start of a claim. Every case depends on its own policy and documents, so these answers are general.

General questions

The insurer denied my claim. Can I take action?

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Yes. A denial letter is the insurer's position, not a ruling. We check the argument against the policy and the documents, and decide how to proceed.

What can I do if the insurer paid only part of the claim?

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We compare the assessor's report, the policy and the amount actually paid, and check what was deducted and on what basis.

Which documents should I send for review?

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The policy, the denial letter or payment notice, the assessor's report and your correspondence with the insurer.

Should I sign a release and discharge form?

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Signing a release usually closes the claim. It is worth checking what it means before you sign, not after.

When is the right time to contact a lawyer?

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As soon as you receive a denial letter or a partial payment, or when handling is delayed beyond a reasonable time.

What can I do if I disagree with the assessor's report?

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The assessment can be examined against the actual damage. We compare the items, the price lists and the assumptions behind the calculation and, if needed, obtain a second opinion.

How long does an insurance claim take?

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It depends on the type of damage, the volume of documents and how much is in dispute. A well-documented case shortens the process; a dispute over coverage or the assessment lengthens it.

Someone else damaged my property. How does a third-party claim work?

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In a third-party claim we examine liability for the event and the extent of the damage. We gather records from the scene, the parties' details and professional opinions, and approach the insurer of the party responsible.

Private clients

Car accident

The insurer paid less than the assessor. Is that legal?

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Every deduction must be explained and grounded in the policy. We compare the report with the payment item by item and ask for an explanation of every gap.

Can a total loss decision be challenged?

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Yes. The decision rests on the ratio between the repair cost and the value of the car, and both figures can be checked.

What about diminished value?

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Diminished value is a separate damage item. In many cases it is not included in the first payment and has to be claimed separately.

Damage at home

What is underinsurance?

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A claim that the sum insured is lower than the actual value of the property, so the benefit is reduced proportionally. It is checked against the policy wording and the proposal form you signed.

The insurer's assessor set a low amount. What can be done?

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You can present a counter-assessment. The gap between the two assessments is a basis for an orderly discussion with the insurer.

Contents without receipts: can you still claim?

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Yes. Contents can also be proven with photos, records and other supporting documents.

Leaks and water damage

The insurer's provider made repairs, but the damage came back. What now?

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The provider's responsibility and its arrangement with the insurer are examined together. Recurring damage is a sign the repair was partial.

The leak damaged a neighbor's home. Who pays?

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That is a third-party claim alongside the building claim. Both are handled together.

I did not document the damage before the repair. Is that critical?

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It makes things harder, but it does not always block the claim. Professional reports and correspondence can serve as a basis.

Third-party claim

The other party's insurer is not answering. What can be done?

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A structured request with full documentation and a deadline is the first step. After that, legal proceedings are considered.

Can I claim even if I am not insured?

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Yes. A third-party claim does not depend on you having a policy.

I was found partly at fault. Is that final?

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No. The division of liability is examined against the records and can change.

Business clients

Rental and leasing

We already work with an agent. Is that a conflict?

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No. The agent handles your insurance portfolio and renewals. We step in when there is a dispute over cover, the extent of the damage or the amount paid.

We have dozens of events a year. How is that managed?

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Through one reporting channel and a fixed list of documents for every event, with consolidated periodic status reports.

Can files already closed with a partial payment be transferred?

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It depends on what was signed and on the deadlines. Files closed with a release and discharge form are more limited, but they are worth checking.

Transport and haulage

The driver was at fault. Is there still cover?

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Usually yes, subject to the policy terms. The driver's fault does not automatically exclude cover.

Who handles third-party claims against us?

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We can also manage the defense side with the insurer, alongside your own claims.

How long does it take to set up a channel?

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Usually two to three weeks, from mapping the insurance portfolio to an active reporting procedure.

Garages and assessors

The insurer pays according to its own price list. Can that be disputed?

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Yes. The price list is not the final word, and the difference is checked against the work actually done.

We are not part of the insurer's garage arrangement. Does that matter?

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It changes how the claim is handled, but it does not take away the right to be paid for what is covered.

Can many small claims be combined?

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Yes. Combining similar events allows one orderly move instead of dozens of requests.

Businesses and buildings

What counts as a business interruption loss?

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The loss of income during the period in which the business is not operating, subject to the relevant policy annex.

The insurer claims underinsurance. What can be done?

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The claim is checked against the sums insured that were set and the proposal form that was signed.

Should we appoint our own assessor?

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Usually yes. A counter-assessment is a basis for an orderly discussion about the extent of the damage.

Initial review

A denial letter? A partial payment?
A delay? Start with the document.

No need to start with a long form. Start with what you already have.

The denial letter, the payment notice, the assessor's report, photos or your correspondence with the insurer are the starting point for the review.

Adv. Sassi Lev in his office