Reasons Why Your Car Insurance Claim Was Denied
Car Accident Lawyer
Car insurance is an important thing to have. If you get into an accident, you know that your insurer will pay for the damages. However, what if your insurance company denies your claim and refuses to pay for the damages? This happens more than you’d like to think. Here are some common reasons car insurance claims get denied:
You Didn’t Seek Immediate Medical Care
If you were injured in a car accident, it is important for you to see a doctor right away. Delaying medical care not only puts your health in jeopardy. It also will make it more difficult to get reimbursed for your medical feels. If your insurance company finds out that you waited too long to seek medical attention, they may assume you weren’t truly injured and deny your claim.
Your Policy Doesn’t Cover the Type of Damage in Your Claim
When you buy car insurance, you will be able to choose the specific type of coverage you choose. While you only have to buy coverage that meets your state’s minimum requirements, you may want to buy extra coverage. For example, if something happens to your car that isn’t related to an accident, like weather damage, the damage won’t be covered if you don’t have comprehensive coverage.
You Didn’t File Your Claim Soon Enough
Different states have different time limits for filing car accident claims. If you attempt to file your claim past that date, it will be denied. It’s best to file your claim immediately to prevent this from happening.
You Lied on Your Insurance Application
Insurance companies require individuals to fill out applications before approving them for coverage. In the application, you may be asked about things like your accident history, age and annual mileage. It is important to be completely truthful in your answers. Don’t embellish or leave out information to try to get cheaper insurance. If you file an accident claim and your insurance company finds out that you didn’t tell the truth on your application, your claim will be denied.
You Were Driving a New Car
Whenever you purchase a new vehicle, you should notify your insurance company immediately. If you don’t and get into an accident in your vehicle, your insurance company won’t cover the damages.
You Were Driving While Drunk
Driving while under the influence of alcohol will surely get your claim denied. Even if you didn’t cause the accident, your insurance company won’t cover the damages to your vehicle if they find out that you were drunk while behind the wheel.
As you can see, there are many different reasons car insurance claims get denied. If your claim was recently denied, you probably feel pretty frustrated. If you believe your insurance company was wrong in denying your claim, you should consult with an insurance lawyer Chicago, IL trusts soon. He or she can review your case and discuss your legal options with you.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Childress, Loucks & Plunkett for their insight into insurance recovery and why your claim was denied.