How to Make Your Insurance Company Pay

The Complete Homeowner’s Guide to Winning Denied, Delayed, and Underpaid Property Damage Claims

Non-Fiction - Self Help
186 Pages
Reviewed on 09/08/2026
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Lucinda E Clarke for Readers' Favorite

How to Make Your Insurance Company Pay by Aram Shah is a very comprehensive guide to the way insurance companies operate. A table early on in this book shows us the shockingly low level of claims that are actually paid out, less than fifty percent. The business of insurance is not to pay out but to willingly take your money each month. When buying a home, it is the law to insure it, but the terms we most often hear are denied, delayed, and underpaid. Shah takes the reader step by step through the deck of cards that is stacked against the homeowner, beginning with choosing the best insurer, to combing through the policy, noting exceptions and get-out clauses. Covering mostly roof repairs and pipe leaks in Florida, he itemizes all the problems that can arise and how you can prove the company pays out. There are dozens of pitfalls, from correctly documenting damages, through to who to approach for backup, all the way to litigation. Each aspect is carefully explained, with great advice but also the pitfalls at every stage.

Although I don’t live in Florida, insurance is similar the world over. I wish that I had read How to Make Your Insurance Company Pay before I made claims in the past. I was aghast at some of the legal, yet underhanded ways that these giant conglomerations avoid awarding cash for damages. You may think you are covered, but are you? Aram Shah answers that vital question with real knowledge from a lawyer who has spent years helping clients with insurance claims. There is so much that I was unaware of, only that the biggest buildings in town were occupied by insurance companies. If you are even thinking of buying a home, then grab this book first and read it carefully, and then refer to it the moment something goes wrong and you want to make a claim.

Jamie Michele

In Aram Shah’s How to Make Your Insurance Company Pay, Shah writes for homeowners who discover that buying coverage does not mean an insurance carrier will pay after property damage. Shah begins with the homeowner’s insurance game, in which a mortgage lender can require a policy even though the carrier may still deny a claim once wind, water, or another covered event damages the home. He explains what homeowners need to know before speaking with adjusters, choosing representation, authorizing repairs, or deciding whether a lawsuit makes sense. Shah follows the claim from the first report through sworn answers and settlement talks, always keeping the homeowner’s recovery in view. His guide gives readers the language to understand what is happening before fear makes every decision harder.

Aram Shah’s How to Make Your Insurance Company Pay is an incredibly useful insurance guide, and Shah has clearly spent years seeing how ordinary homeowners get cornered after a loss. Shah’s strength as a writer comes through when he turns legal procedure into practical warnings that are easy to understand. His explanation of a direction to pay is excellent, since a repair agreement can sound harmless until Shah shows how an unpaid invoice can become collections or a lien against the home. His hurricane timeline also shows how one roof leak becomes a dated record through inspection, denial, and legal help. There's so much for lay readers to learn from an insider who clearly has loads of knowledge and experience, all of which he is willing to share. Well written and educational, homeowners facing property damage claims will appreciate this book.

Leonard Smuts

When it comes to filing an insurance claim, dealing with the insurance company can be stressful. Disputes can arise. Aram Shah comes to the rescue with How to Make Your Insurance Company Pay. As the title implies, this process is not always easy. The purpose of insurance is to return you to the same position you were in before you suffered a loss. An unfortunate reality is that insurance companies habitually attempt to limit their liability, and claim denial rates are high. Claims can range from leaking pipes to severe storm damage. The relevant documentation should be retained to prove the loss. The book provides an informative guide to negotiating a successful claim. The types of policies that are available are explained, and how to go about choosing the right one. Steps to take if a dispute arises are outlined. Other topics covered include possible legal remedies, working with claims adjusters and mitigation companies, and the arbitration process. Expert help should be sought if technical issues arise. Policy wording can be confusing and one-sided. As a policyholder, readers should confirm whether they are covered for replacement cost or current value, and what risks are not covered. They should read the fine print and beware of exclusions. Pitfalls can include late claims, normal wear and tear, design flaws, and poor maintenance.

Aram Shah is a licensed attorney and shares his considerable experience with readers in How to Make Your Insurance Company Pay. He reviews the players in the insurance industry, unpacks the regulations that often vary between states, outlines the obligations of mortgage holders, and offers tips on proving claims and signing releases. He points out that litigation can be both drawn out and costly. Advice is provided for proving your case and the tactics to explore. The writing style is concise, easy to read, and the text is supplemented by numerous data tables that present the information with clarity. The book concentrates on property-related claims, but the principles apply in a wider context. It was written to educate homeowners in terms of the risks and benefits that apply. It explores both the rights and responsibilities of policyholders, and constitutes a valuable guide to those who are insured or are likely to make a claim against their insurer.

Pikasho Deka

Homeowners insurance policies don't always work as intended. Delays, underpayments, and at times, even outright denial are pretty common. As such, homeowners must prepare themselves to pursue property damage claims from insurance companies. Aram Shah is a Florida-based attorney. In How To Make Your Insurance Company Pay, Shah offers practical strategies for homeowners to make sure that their claims are irrefutable and carriers pay what they rightfully owe to their clients. The author reveals the carrier business model and the ugly truth of the denial rates. He also delves into the two types of carriers, private and state, and shows how they operate differently. The book also explores the different insurance policies and their burden of proof. It covers every aspect of policy coverage, exclusions, as well as the litigation process and more.

Aram Shah shows how profits made by insurance companies really depend on the percentage of underpayments and denials on the claims. As such, homeowners must have the know-how to receive their claims in full. This book goes a long way to ensure homeowners understand just what they are getting into with their insurance policies. How To Make Your Insurance Company Pay truly lives up to the title. It's a practical guide that will help homeowners keep themselves up to date with their insurance policies and guide them on making the right choice in terms of litigation. This is the first book I've read on insurance policy claims, and I must say I found it very informative and illuminating. If you're a homeowner in America, I highly recommend you grab a copy.

Mansoor Ahmed

How to Make Your Insurance Company Pay is Aram Shah's guide for homeowners who feel outmatched by their insurance carrier after filing a claim. Shah, who has spent years representing policyholders against major insurers in Florida, walks readers through the entire claims process in two clear stages: pre-litigation and litigation. He covers how to choose a solid policy in the first place, what to document immediately after a loss, when to bring in a public adjuster or attorney, and the common tricks insurers use to deny or underpay claims, from anti-concurrent causation language to lowball settlement offers. For anyone who has dealt with a leaky roof, storm damage, or a burst pipe only to be met with a denial letter, this book promises a roadmap for fighting back and getting what you're owed.

Aram Shah keeps the tone straightforward and hands-on, framing the legal system more like a helpful expert than an intimidating manual. The linear and chronological configuration will help you easily identify where you're at and go right to the desired information. The book uses side-by-side analyses of successful and unsuccessful claims and includes real copies of demand letters and real-life settlement results to keep the advice realistic. What struck me most was how honest the author is about trade-offs, admitting that hiring more help often means a smaller payout, which felt refreshingly candid for a book in this genre. How to Make Your Insurance Company Pay is a genuinely useful resource for any homeowner heading into a claims fight.