INSURANCE CLAIM DENIAL APPEAL
(Georgia – Comprehensive Template)
[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted as a formal “first-level written appeal” (sometimes called a “demand letter” or “notice of appeal”) directed to the insurer. It is structured to:
• Satisfy Georgia’s internal-appeal prerequisites, placing the carrier on statutory notice;
• Preserve the insured’s right to sue for bad-faith penalties under O.C.G.A. § 33-4-6 (2022); and
• Provide a ready foundation for escalation to the Georgia Department of Insurance or to court if necessary.
Customize all bracketed items, attach supporting exhibits, and transmit by a traceable method (e.g., certified mail, return-receipt requested).]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Document Header
- Definitions
- Operative Provisions (Appeal & Demand)
- Representations & Warranties of Claimant
- Covenants & Continuing Obligations
- Default; Remedies & Bad-Faith Notice
- Risk Allocation
- Dispute Resolution
- General Provisions
- Execution Block
1. DOCUMENT HEADER
INSURANCE CLAIM DENIAL APPEAL AND NOTICE OF POTENTIAL BAD-FAITH LIABILITY
Claimant: [CLAIMANT FULL LEGAL NAME]
Address: [STREET, CITY, STATE ZIP]
Insurer: [INSURER LEGAL NAME]
Adjuster/Contact: [NAME & TITLE]
Claim Department Address: [ADDRESS FOR APPEALS UNDER POLICY]
Policy No.: [POLICY NUMBER]
Claim No.: [CLAIM NUMBER]
Date of Loss: [DATE]
Date of Original Denial: [DENIAL DATE]
Effective Date of Appeal: [DATE]
Governing Law & Venue: State of Georgia (see § 8.1)
Recitals
A. Claimant is the named insured (or authorized claimant) under the above-referenced Policy issued by Insurer.
B. Claimant timely submitted the Claim arising from the Loss described in Exhibit A.
C. By correspondence dated [DENIAL DATE] (attached as Exhibit B), Insurer denied coverage in whole or in part.
D. Claimant now timely appeals such denial pursuant to the Policy conditions, applicable Georgia insurance regulations, and this written notice.
2. DEFINITIONS
The following capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below and apply throughout this Appeal:
“Appeal” – This written demand seeking full reversal of the Denial and prompt payment of all covered benefits.
“Bad Faith” – An insurer’s failure to pay covered losses within sixty (60) days of demand when such failure is not in good faith, as contemplated by O.C.G.A. § 33-4-6 (2022).
“Claim” – Claimant’s request for policy benefits arising from the Loss.
“Denial” – Insurer’s letter dated [DENIAL DATE] denying or limiting the Claim.
“Loss” – The occurrence giving rise to the Claim, as more fully described in Exhibit A.
“Policy” – The insurance contract identified in § 1 above, including all endorsements.
3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS (APPEAL & DEMAND)
3.1 Appeal Submission. Claimant hereby submits this Appeal within the time permitted under:
a. the Policy conditions; and
b. any applicable Georgia regulation requiring an internal appeal to be filed not later than 180 days after receipt of the Denial (health-insurance context).
3.2 Grounds for Reversal. The Denial is improper for the following non-exclusive reasons:
(i) Misapplication or misinterpretation of Policy language (see analysis in Exhibit C);
(ii) Failure to properly investigate the Loss consistent with industry standards;
(iii) Erroneous reliance on exclusions or limitations not applicable to the facts; and
(iv) Failure to consider controlling Georgia law favoring coverage.
3.3 Demand for Payment. Claimant demands:
a. Full payment of covered benefits in the amount of $[AMOUNT] (itemized in Exhibit D);
b. Pre-judgment interest as provided by Georgia law; and
c. Reimbursement of all reasonable, documented expenses incurred due to the improper Denial (see § 6.2).
3.4 Time for Determination. Insurer shall provide its final written decision within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of this Appeal, or such shorter period as required by O.C.G.A. Title 33 or the Policy.
4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES OF CLAIMANT
4.1 Accuracy of Information. Claimant represents that all factual statements herein and in the attached Exhibits are, to the best of Claimant’s knowledge, true, correct, and complete.
4.2 Cooperation. Claimant has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with Insurer’s reasonable requests for information relevant to the Claim.
4.3 Preservation of Rights. Nothing in this Appeal constitutes a waiver of any rights, remedies, or causes of action under the Policy or Georgia law.
5. COVENANTS & CONTINUING OBLIGATIONS
5.1 Supplemental Information. Claimant shall promptly furnish any additional non-privileged documentation reasonably requested by Insurer that is material to the Claim determination.
5.2 Notice of Changes. Claimant will notify Insurer of any material change in facts affecting the Claim.
6. DEFAULT; REMEDIES & BAD-FAITH NOTICE
6.1 Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute a “Default” by Insurer:
a. Failure to issue a final written decision within the period stated in § 3.4;
b. Failure to pay all covered amounts demanded herein within sixty (60) days after receipt of this Appeal; or
c. Any other act or omission evidencing lack of good faith in processing the Claim.
6.2 Remedies. Upon Default, Claimant may pursue one or more of the following, without limitation:
i. Civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction for breach of contract;
ii. Statutory penalties of up to fifty percent (50%) of the liability for the loss or $5,000, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney’s fees, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 33-4-6 (2022); and
iii. Equitable or injunctive relief compelling immediate claim payment.
[// GUIDANCE: To preserve a future bad-faith action, Georgia requires that the insurer be given at least 60 days’ written notice of the specific demand for payment. This section is drafted to satisfy that prerequisite.]
7. RISK ALLOCATION
7.1 Liability Cap. Claimant acknowledges that Insurer’s monetary liability is, at minimum, the Policy limits, plus any statutory penalties, interest, and fees recoverable under Georgia law.
7.2 No Indemnification Obligation. Consistent with the parties’ relationship, no reciprocal indemnification is created or implied by this Appeal.
8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
8.1 Governing Law. This Appeal and any subsequent dispute shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules.
8.2 Forum Selection. Unless the parties mutually agree to arbitration under § 8.3, any litigation arising out of or relating to the Claim shall be filed exclusively in the state courts located in [COUNTY], Georgia.
8.3 Optional Arbitration. At Claimant’s sole election, the dispute may be submitted to binding arbitration administered by [ARBITRATION BODY] in accordance with its rules then in effect. The arbitration shall occur in [CITY], Georgia, and the arbitrator(s) shall have authority to award all remedies available under Georgia law, including but not limited to bad-faith penalties.
8.4 Jury Trial. Nothing herein constitutes a waiver of the parties’ constitutional right to a jury trial in Georgia state courts.
8.5 Injunctive Relief. Claimant reserves the right to seek temporary, preliminary, and/or permanent injunctive relief to compel immediate payment of undisputed covered benefits.
9. GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.1 Reservation of Rights. All rights and remedies, whether at law or in equity, are expressly reserved.
9.2 No Amendment to Policy. This Appeal does not amend, modify, or supersede any term of the Policy.
9.3 Severability. If any provision of this Appeal is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
9.4 Entire Appeal. This document, together with all referenced Exhibits, constitutes the entire written appeal and demand relating to the Denial.
9.5 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Appeal may be executed in counterparts and delivered electronically, each of which shall be deemed an original.
10. EXECUTION BLOCK
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Claimant hereby executes and delivers this Insurance Claim Denial Appeal effective as of the date first written above.
[CLAIMANT NAME]
[Title, if entity]
Date: _________
[OPTIONAL NOTARIZATION – if required under Policy or desired for evidentiary purposes]
State of Georgia )
County of [COUNTY] )
Subscribed and sworn before me this _ day of ___, 20____.
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: _____
Exhibits (placeholders)
Exhibit A – Detailed Description of Loss
Exhibit B – Copy of Denial Letter
Exhibit C – Coverage Analysis & Policy Excerpts
Exhibit D – Itemized Damages and Payment Calculation
[// GUIDANCE: Attach all exhibits at submission. Retain proof of mailing or electronic confirmation to satisfy Georgia’s evidentiary requirements should litigation ensue.]