Can an insurance company refuse to pay a claim?
Yes, they can and do refuse claims.
If you are unlucky enough to have to file a car claim, you want to ensure that you receive the best possible settlement from your insurance provider. If a claim appears to have been wrongfully denied, you may want to take action to see if the decision may be reconsidered. If you are looking for auto accident lawyers in Decatur, look no further than the Super Lawyer Legal Group; read on to find out what you can do on your end and how we can help you.
Being involved in a vehicle accident is stressful enough, but it becomes even more so if your car insurance company dismisses your claim. When an insurance company denies a car claim, it is usually for a valid cause, but this is not always the case. Understanding why a complaint was rejected – beginning with your claim rejection letter – and what you should do if it happens is important if you face a claim denial. If your claim was refused, you can analyze your policy to see out why and what was denied.
But you will need the professional assistance of a capable personal injury attorney in Decatur to get compensated fairly!
What Is An Insurance Claim Denial In Decatur?
If you submitted a claim after an accident that caused thousands of dollars of damage to your automobile. Because your policy includes accident coverage, you’re confident you’ll be receiving a payout shortly. Instead, you receive a letter saying “we regret to notify you” that your complaint has been refused.
Alternatively, you may receive a cheque that covers only a percentage of the damages to your vehicle – significantly less than your deductible.
This scenario depicts the refusal of an insurance claim.
Your insurance company may deny your claim. Or, if the accident was the responsibility of the other motorist, it might be from their insurer. In any case, it usually means you don’t have enough money to fix your automobile – or, maybe, to pay your medical costs if you were wounded. Your initial reaction is likely to be perplexity.
Why Do Automobile Insurance Companies Refuse Claims?
A claim denial might be entire or partial (the latter occurs when the insurer pays a portion of your claim). Simply defined, auto insurers refuse claims when they think they have a legal or contractual right to do so.
In the case of a personal injury claim, this may be the case if the claimant fails to adequately prove that the negligence of the accused caused them the damages they want to seek compensation for. Also, here are the common causes for claim denial in a single-vehicle crash case (or in a no-fault scenario):
- The claimant is not insured under the automobile insurance policy.
- The vehicle is not mentioned on the car insurance policy.
- No policy was in existence at the time of the accident (often when premiums are not paid or the policy is not renewed)
What Happens If Your Claim Is Denied & How To Avoid It
All of the potential reasons for claim denial stated above are real reasons why an insurer could refuse your claim — and the reasons would most likely hold up in court if your case got that far. But you might be wondering, “What should I do if my vehicle insurance claim is denied?” Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of overturning their decision?”
Here are some of the steps you can take to ensure that:
Report The Accident Right Away
Many insurers allow you to start the insurance claim procedure on the provider’s website, which implies you should be able to do so while you’re waiting for the cops. However, if this is not the case, contact your agent as soon as possible. Get the other motorist’s insurance information right away, and never allow the other driver to persuade you out of calling the cops. When you need to support a claim, a police report may be quite helpful. Take lots of photos or perhaps video footage to verify the degree of damages as part of your due diligence when starting the claims procedure.
Make Sure That Your Claim Is With Your Organization
When feasible, avoid claiming with the other driver’s insurer, even if that business is required to pay out because it was the other driver’s fault. There’s another option: your insurer can assist you in recovering expenditures from the other driver’s insurance company through a procedure known as subrogation. This way, you’ll let your insurer do the tough lifting for you.
But be sure to consult with your attorney first to see if this is the best move in your case.
Get Precise Estimates
The more information you have, the better the outcome of your claim will usually be. You may do this by having your repair business provide you with an itemized, thorough estimate of repairs. Don’t make the blunder of getting repair estimates from just anybody.
If you don’t have a trustworthy mechanic, acquire suggestions from friends and family and get quotes from those firms. If your insurance instructs you to obtain a quote from a specific shop, do that, but also supply them with multiple quotes from various shops to confirm going prices.
Get Estimates Based On Original Factory (OEM) Parts
You have the right to have your automobile repaired and returned to you in the same shape it was in before the accident. Some insurers require a separate rider on your insurance to request original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components; you should inquire about this when you sign up for your coverage.
It’s a smart idea to participate in this coverage, even if it costs a few extra bucks.
What If Your Vehicle Is A Total Loss
If your automobile is a total loss, expect the reimbursement to be less than what you owe on it or less than what you believe it is worth.
Automobile insurance firms often cover vehicles based on their “Actual Cash Value” (ACV). This implies that the resale value will decide the amount of compensation provided to replace your vehicle. The actual number may differ from one organization to the next depending on the service they employ to assess market value.
Get In Touch With A Personal Injury Attorney In Decatur
Other than property damage, there may be other losses too such as bodily injury liability, loss of income, loss of earning potential, disability, and other non-economic damages. Reaching out to an attorney at this stage is vital as it will clear up the whole picture for you and improve your chances of getting fairly compensated for your losses.
Let Our Auto Accident Lawyers In Decatur Help You
The first step in establishing the legitimacy of a denied vehicle insurance claim is to understand the claim rejection letter and why an auto insurance company opted not to pay out. The majority of claim denials are genuine, however, some are not. In that case, appealing the insurance company’s judgment may result in the decision being changed or an offer for the damages sustained. You must hire a personal injury attorney in Decatur for assistance because the insurance company will never be on your side!
Reach out to the Super Lawyer Legal Group and you’ll be able to get free initial consultation from a qualified personal injury attorney in Decatur before we work together on the next steps.
