After a car accident, you expect the responsible party’s insurance provider to take care of you, to cover any property damages and pay for any medical treatment you need because of the event. Unfortunately, many Texas residents find this is not what ends up happening. While you may expect insurance to take care of you after a car crash, the simple truth is, they are likely to deny your claim.
If this happens to you, you’ll likely have the following questions. Why was my claim denied? What can I do about it?
Why claims fail to achieve approval
Insurance providers look for any reason they can to deny claims or pay out as little as possible. Why? It is how they make money. They are a business, after all. Common reasons they deny claims include:
- Claim lacking merit: The insurance adjuster does not believe your version of events.
- Delayed notification: You waited too long to file your claim.
- Lapsed policy: The policy owner failed to pay his or her premiums.
- Policy exclusions: The other party’s negligence was not the true cause of the accident.
When denying claims, insurance providers count on victims not pursuing the matter further. The truth is, many people don’t. They end up taking the hit out of pocket, which is often financially devastating. Know that if they deny your claim, you may still be able to seek relief.
What can you do about it?
If insurance ultimately denies your claim, you have every right to appeal the decision. To do this, you can start by going through the provider’s formal appeals process — if there is one. If the provider you’re dealing with does not have an appeals process, you can send a demand letter. In this letter, you will state your case for compensation and document your losses. Whichever way you go, insurance may again deny your claim or offer to settle — either in full or in part.
If appealing the decision fails
If appealing the decision fails to produce desirable results, filing a lawsuit may be an appropriate course of action. In most cases, things will not go this far. Insurance providers are more likely to settle before going to court. However, sometimes it is necessary to achieve maximum compensation following a car crash. Legal counsel can help you determine if taking the matter to court is in your best interests.
