Auto insurance claims can be denied due to many factors, such as causing damage to the car because of driving under the influence, filing the claim past the deadline, or including an incorrect statement on the claim. If your car insurance claim is denied, you should speak to a car insurance claim lawyer. Here is what you should do if your auto insurance claim is denied.
- Report the allegation right away.
You should be able to start the claims procedure while you’re waiting for the police to come because many insurers allow you to do so via the provider’s website. If not, though, give your agent a call as soon as you can. As soon as possible following the collision, get the other driver’s insurance information, and never allow the other driver to persuade you out of calling the police. When you need to support a claim, a police report can be of great assistance. Take a lot of pictures or perhaps video to confirm the amount of the damage as part of your due diligence before starting the claims procedure.
- Make sure your insurance provider is the one handling your claim.
Even though the other driver’s insurance company must pay out since the other motorist was at fault, it is a good practice to avoid doing so wherever possible. Your insurance provider can assist you in recouping costs from the insurance provider for the other driver through a procedure known as subrogation. Allow your insurer to handle the tough lifting since they have more legal and insurance specialists than you have.
- Obtain exact cost estimates
In general, your claim will perform better the more information you have. One method to do this is to request an itemized, comprehensive estimate of repairs from your repair shop. Don’t make the error of getting your repair estimates from just anyone.
Ask your friends and family for referrals if you don’t already have a reliable mechanic, and then request quotes from those shops. Get a quote from the shop your insurer recommends, but also provide them multiple estimates from other shops to confirm market rates.
- Obtain costs based on genuine (OEM) parts.
Your car must be returned to you following repairs in the same state that it was in before the accident. You should inquire about this when purchasing your coverage because some insurers require a specific rider in order for you to obtain original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. It makes sense to spend a little bit of extra money on this coverage.
- If you disagree with the car insurance settlement, be aware of your rights.
Be ready for the payout to be less than what you owe on the automobile or less than what you believe the car is worth if it is a total loss.
The “Actual Cash Value” is the standard by which auto insurance companies insure vehicles (ACV). This implies that the amount of compensation they offer to replace your car will depend on its market value. The precise sum could differ from one business to another depending on the service they use to calculate market value.
You might need to put in some extra effort to support your claim that your car is worth more than the ACV. You should consider how well you maintained the vehicle, whether you kept it in the garage, whether it had very little mileage, and whether you performed routine maintenance. If you take care of your automobiles in this way, it’s crucial to maintain all receipts and documentation since this may require them.
