After an auto accident has occurred, you can file an insurance claim in order to receive some coverage for vehicle damage and other property that has been harmed. In the case of injury accidents, your auto insurance may also help cover medical expenses associated with the crash. Keep in mind that the insurance money will not be able to cover everything. The insurance money is a major help, however, and it beats paying for everything out of your own pocket.
Ideally, filing auto accident insurance claims should go smoothly, but there are times when insurance companies deny claims or reduce compensation. The Provo, UT insurance bad faith lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help in these situations.
Information Needed While Filing a Claim
After you’ve been in an accident, be sure to exchange accident information with the other motorist or motorists involved. This includes license plate numbers, driver’s license information, makes and models of vehicles, and contact information. If there are any witnesses of the accident, be sure to take down their contact information as well.
Thanks to the ubiquity of smartphones, you can extensively document the accident’s aftermath. Take photos, video, and any other information that may be pertinent to your accident claim.
Denial of an Auto Insurance Claim
Even if you have a legitimate insurance claim following an accident and submitted all the information required, your insurance company may deny your claim. If your insurer does not deny your claim outright, you may notice that they have shaved the amount of coverage they said they would provide. In both such cases, it’s important to appeal the claim to make sure you receive all of the benefits to which you are entitled.
Reasons for a Denied Insurance Claim
There are many reasons why an insurance claim may be denied. Some common reasons include:
- Your coverage was not sufficient given the nature of the accident
- The insurance policy does not cover the type of accident you were involved in
- You were drunk or under the influence at the time of the collision
- The auto accident was not reported in time
- Your name is not covered under the insurance policy
- The damage exceeds the specified limits of coverage
- The insurance company is attempting to save money
The last point if worth highlighting. Even legitimate insurance claims may be denied by an insurance company in an attempt to save money. That is the danger of business interests and a company’s bottom line getting in the way of common decency and helping others.
Our Lawyers Can Help with Denied Claims
If you feel that the insurance company’s reasons for denying your claim are unjust, our team of attorneys can help with the dispute and appeal process. We will go over the nature of the accident, note the reasons cited for the denied claim, and work to ensure a successful appeal. Additionally, we can identify acts of bad faith on the part of the insurance company and hold them accountable for the way they mistreat or mislead the people they are supposed to help.
This process can be complicated, so working with legal professionals familiar with these matters can help the process go faster while offering your and your loved ones some much needed peace of mind.
Learn More About Your Legal Options
For more information about your legal rights and options following a denied auto insurance claim, we encourage you to contact our team of injury, accident, and insurance attorneys. The team at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here to help you.