Justice Demands Diligence

Car insurance claim denials: reasons and appeals

On Behalf of | Aug 16, 2021 | Motor Vehicle Collisions

Drivers purchase car insurance to ensure that they are protected against large costs in the event of an accident. However, there are common situations when a car insurance company will deny a driver’s claim.

If the claim is denied, the driver can expect to receive a claim denial letter which lists the insurance company’s reasoning for the denial.

Common denial reasons

If a driver does not have current, valid insurance at the time of the accident that is a common reason their claim is denied. However, the driver can dispute this by proving that he or she had no lapse in coverage.

Also, the insurance company may deny the claim by stating that the driver either lacked coverage or there is a specific exclusion from the policy. In that situation, the driver can request the policy language to review what is included and excluded.

If the insurance company suspects that the driver committed a crime that resulted in the accident, does not have a valid driver’s license or is not covered on the insurance policy, it may issue a denial letter.

Appeals

The insurance company’s claim denial is often not final. The driver can appeal the decision if he or she believes it was issued in error by writing an appeal letter explaining why he or she disagrees with the insurance company’s decision. He or she may also want to provide copies of police reports, witness accounts and photos for the insurance company to review.

The driver may need assistance to dispute the denial and help is available.