Alabama Insurance Adjuster Practice Exam

What was the primary reason for Janet's insurance claim denial?

1. She did not report the damage in time

2. She failed to mitigate further damages

3. The damage was caused by a flood

4. She did not have the proper coverage

The correct answer is: She failed to mitigate further damages

The primary reason for the denial of Janet's insurance claim relates to her failure to mitigate further damages, which is a crucial obligation of policyholders. In insurance, policyholders are generally required to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage after an initial loss has occurred. This concept is often referred to as the duty to mitigate damages. When an insured person does not take necessary actions to reduce or contain a loss, it can lead to an increase in the total amount of the loss. Insurance policies typically stipulate that failure to mitigate damages can result in a denial of claims since insurers expect insured individuals to act reasonably in preventing further harm. Hence, since Janet did not take adequate action to mitigate the damages after the initial loss, her claim was denied on that basis. This highlights the importance of proactive measures after a loss event, as insurers evaluate the insured's behavior in both the occurrence and aftermath of the damaging incident.