3 Things to Do If Your Car Insurance Denies Your Claim

3 Things to Do If Your Car Insurance Denies Your Claim

When you’re in a car accident, it’s always a relief to know that your car insurance will cover your medical bills and the damages to your vehicle. But what if your insurance company doesn’t hold up its end of the bargain? Insurance companies may initially deny your claim on a technicality, but that doesn’t mean you are out of options. Here are three things you can do if your car insurance provider denies your claim.

  1. Learn the Reason

If your claim is denied, there will be a reason offered. It is important to understand exactly why your claim has been denied and whether the reason is valid. Getting a copy of your insurance claim is as simple as calling or emailing your agent. Each denial is branded with a code, and they can give you a detailed look at why the corporation decided to deny your claim.

Some of the more common reasons that your claim might be denied might result from the fact that you aren’t a driver listed on the insurance, you don’t have the right coverage for the claims being made, or the damages for your claim exceed the policy limit, among other reasons. Insurance companies tend to deny coverage if they can pin the fault on someone else. Unfortunately, determining fault is not always easy, and it’s hard to disprove that it was someone else’s fault if your insurance company says otherwise.

“This always infuriates consumers,” says Kevin Lynch, assistant professor of insurance at American College. “But the fact is, you hit the car in front of you and your insurance company will say that you weren’t responsible for starting the chain of events. But had you been back further, you wouldn’t have hit the other driver’s bumper.”

The point is, insurance companies often deny claims on technicalities, and they might not be justified in doing so. It’s important to understand where you’re at with the insurance company so that you can determine your next steps.

  1. Start Your Appeal

If your insurance has denied your claim for a reason that you believe is wrong, you can file an appeal. Research your insurance company’s formal appeals process. Getting your bills covered can be as simple as filling out a form and submitting it to your agent. If there was a clerical error or missing proof that their denial was unjustified, it may be a simple fix. But sometimes, matters can be more complicated and require the help of an expert.

  1. Contact an Attorney

Appealing your insurer’s decision to deny your claim is rarely a simple process. In most cases, you will need to do extensive work to get them to see your side of the story and validate your claim.

While you can try to do so on your own, it’s recommended that you hire an attorney to appeal the case for you. ICBC Vancouver attorneys work to help you gain the rightful compensation you deserve when going through an unjustified insurance denial. They can help you formally appeal the claim or even file a lawsuit against the company.

The assistance of a professional can extend to include everything from keeping track of evidence to hiring the best Fort Lauderdale court reporters — or the best court reporters in your local town — to keep track of your case. It provides incredible peace of mind to know that you have a concerned attorney on your side, helping you through this difficult time.

Specialists warn that your attorney might not put much effort into a claim if they suspect you haven’t given them the whole story or are lying outright. For this reason, it is crucial that you are transparent with your attorney and you omit no detail. Your attorney will do all they can to fight for you and your rights, but this can only happen if they know everything that you know.

An insurance company that won’t pay its due diligence is frustrating, but you don’t have to let them get away with it. Remember that you always have options and there is legal assistance available for when you’re ready to fight.