You're required by law to carry car insurance, and you hope that your insurance provider will cover any property damage or injuries if you get into a crash. Unfortunately, having car insurance is no guarantee that you will receive a payout. Here are several reasons that an insurer might deny your claim after a motor vehicle accident and what you can do to avoid a denial.
Missed Deadlines
Insurance claims have time limits, so if you wait too long to file your claim, the insurer may decline to even look at it. The time limit you have to file will depend on your insurance provider, but it's important to be familiar with the deadline and file your claim as soon as possible. The time limit to report an accident is often within 30 days, and you might have up to three years after reporting the accident to submit a claim for your medical expenses and property damage. If you're working with a car accident lawyer, they will keep you notified of all the appropriate deadlines and help make sure you don't miss them.
Incomplete Paperwork
Unfortunately, insurance claims can be denied on a technicality. If you completed some paperwork incorrectly or failed to submit the required supporting documents, then you could receive an automatic denial. Again, working with a car accident attorney can help prevent this from happening as a professional will go over all your documentation to ensure that it's ready to be processed by the insurance company. You may also be able to submit an appeal and provide extra documentation to support your claim.
Coverage Limits Exceeded
It's likely that you and the other driver involved in the accident only carry the minimum required insurance coverage in your state. If the accident was severe and caused serious injuries and extensive property damage, then it's possible that your costs will exceed the coverage offered by the policy. You might submit a claim and receive a denial for those costs above the limit. However, you don't want to pay out of pocket for costly medical and repair bills. Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver or their insurer may be one way to recoup those costs.
You Were at Fault
Depending on the laws in your state, your insurance policy may only cover damages for the other party in the crash and not your own injuries or property damage if you were at fault. You might receive a denial if you submit a claim for these expenses. A car accident attorney can help you understand your options for either proving that you weren't at fault or seeking compensation for damages that you incurred due to the other driver's actions.
For more information, contact a law firm in your area, such as Aldridge Teasdale PLLC.
Share30 September 2021
