You might be surprised to learn that about 13 car accidents happen every minute across the US. The damage done to vehicles and their drivers’ wallets is tremendous.
Car accidents like to happen unexpectedly. You can drive for miles before something – other drivers, road hazards, or weather – suddenly changes your day from uneventful to impossible.
When car insurance companies wind up paying for it, they also see the unfortunate side of these accidents – through the denial of car insurance claims.
Don’t fret; you can fight a denied claim. Read on to learn what to do if your insurance claim is denied.
Understand Why a Denial Might Have Occurred
While receiving a denial letter might be shocking and worrisome, knowledge is the first step to figuring it out. While we get insurance to protect ourselves from a worst-case scenario, insurance companies aren’t keen on paying out claims if they can avoid it.
Your insurance company may have denied the claim for any number of reasons, including:
- There was a lapse in your policy
- The claim is larger than what you’re covered for
- Not a covered claim
- The driver of the vehicle was excluded from the coverage
- Insurance company suspects a case of fraud
- The driver was operating the vehicle unlawfully
- No medical treatment was sought following the incident in question
The truth is that there wasn’t a good reason to deny the claim. Sometimes this happens, whether deliberately or by mistake.
Review the Denial Letter
When the insurance company denies your claim, they should do it in writing. Carefully review the letter from the insurance company to understand the reason for the denial.
They can’t just say they’re denying your claim and not provide an explanation.
Once you figure out the reason for the denial, you’ll know how to proceed. In most cases, you won’t agree with the insurance company and will need to move forward with fighting their decision.
Gather Documentation to Make a Case
Before considering appealing a claim from your car insurance policy, you want to get the proof you need to fight the denial—many people will gather some documentation following an accident.
Documentation might include any or all of the following:
- Photo or video documentation of the accident scene
- Photos of the damage to your car
- Repair estimates, multiple ones sometimes helps
- Bills for medical treatment
- Copy of the police report
- Log of contact you’ve had with the insurance company regarding the accident
It can also be helpful to sit down and write a detailed account of the accident.
Write an Appeal Letter to Your Insurance Company
You’re ready to write your appeal letter to your insurance company. Be sure to check with your insurance company. Some insurers will have a specific procedure for an appeal.
Tell the insurance company that you’re appealing their decision and provide the needed support to prove why their decision was wrong. Also, be specific about what you expect to happen next.
Bring in Help
If you already suspect that the insurance company will give you hassles about your car insurance case, it might make sense to skip the appeal yourself and get help from an attorney for auto insurance claims.
They are accustomed to fighting insurance companies and also know the ways they might try to avoid paying a claim.
The insurance company is much more likely to take your appeal seriously when an attorney backs it up.
Fight the Car Insurance Claim Denial Letter
A car insurance claim shouldn’t be a giant hassle. It’s the whole reason you pay for car insurance coverage.
If your insurance company denies your claim, we can help. Contact us so we can evaluate your claim and get you the help you need.