Years ago I had a homeowner's claim disguised as a lesson in what a deductible actually is. The house was a more than 100-year-old Victorian with all of the original woodwork. When the copper piping was stolen out of the house - leaving substantial water damage, the adjuster quickly depreciated all of that original woodwork 99% and I paid $26000 out of pocket. The insurance paid a total of $9800 of that back to me after the $500 deductible was taken out of course.
Pretty low--it wasn't a truck.
But it's the liability portion of the coverage that drives costs, and the aforementioned state-mismanaged insurance pool which is financed by surcharges on regular policies only makes it worse.
You needed a better lawyer.
I'm actually not confused at all.
I've been buying insurance for over 30 years. Never had a company inspect me (health), my home, my car, my boat, my airplane. Fill out the forms, and the wonks say yes 95% of the time and no 5%... No idea why, only ever had a claim during a natural disaster, and my claim for a new roof and limited damages was minimal comparatively speaking.
When I got full coverage for the ol' blue Pontiac, State Farm wanted pics. Due to it's age, and body style. Not old enough to be an antique/classic, and too old to be a late model car. But after seeing the pics, they insured it and apologized for the inconvenience. It's a well taken care of Parisienne, with only 400,000 miles on it, all original, except the oil, filter, and tires.