What to Do If Your Claim for Damaged Property After a Car Accident Gets Denied

A significant number of car accident insurance claims are denied in the United States every year. If that happens to you, you may wonder why it did and if you can do anything to correct the situation.

The good news is that being denied an insurance payout doesn’t mean the end of the world. There are things you can do to fight back. The first thing on that list is to learn how to find the best personal injury lawyer to try to get the compensation you deserve. In this guide, we will discuss some steps to take if your insurance claim is denied.

Try to Understand Why Your Claim Was Denied

Understanding why your claim was denied is necessary for you to fight it. Insurance companies are required to give you a reason for denying your claim, which could be any of the following:

• Lack of enough evidence to prove your claim.
• Disagreements over who was at fault in the accident.
• Missing documents or late filing.
• Your policy does not cover that particular type of damage.
• The policy expired, and you stopped making payments.
• There was pre-existing damage that the insurance company believes wasn’t caused by the accident.
• You violated policy terms.

Review Your Insurance Policy

Take a closer look at your insurance policy. It is important to know exactly what is covered and what isn’t. Policies often have fine print that outlines specific situations that are not included in the coverage.

If you are unsure about the terms or don’t understand the language used, you can ask your insurance agent for clarification or even speak to a lawyer to explain the terms.

Get More Evidence

If your claim was denied because of a lack of proof, try to gather as much evidence as you can. For example, get photos of the damage and the accident. Other important pieces of evidence include:

• A copy of the police report
• Witness statements
• Any communication you have had with the insurance company

The more detailed and organized your information is, the stronger your case will be.

File an Appeal with the Insurance Company

Most insurance companies allow policyholders to file an appeal. This simply means you can ask them to review the denial and reconsider their decision.

You may need to write a letter explaining why you think the denial was not correct and include any new or updated information. However, be polite and professional, and be clear and firm in your explanation.

Contact Your State’s Insurance Department

If the appeal doesn’t work, you can file a complaint with your state’s insurance department. Each state has a department that regulates insurance companies in that particular jurisdiction and ensures they act fairly. This step won’t guarantee your claim gets approved, but it can sometimes pressure the insurer to re-analyze your claim.

Consider Legal Help

If everything else fails, it may be time to talk to a lawyer, especially if the damage is very significant and the costs to repair are high. An attorney can help you understand your rights and explain the terms of the policy.

They will even negotiate with the insurance company or escalate the matter to court if needed. Some lawyers offer free consultations, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Conclusion

Having your property damage claim denied can be frustrating, but do not let this discourage you. Insurance companies do make mistakes, or sometimes simply try to reduce payouts to maximize profits. As long as you stay organized, act quickly, and know your rights, you still have the chance to turn things around and get compensation.