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If you’re in a car accident, your insurance claim is the method you use to pay yourself back for the money you spent recovering. Your insurance should cover the repairs on your vehicle, as well as any medical treatments you need due to injury. They should also cover the wages you lost while you were unable to work and any equipment that you’ll need if the injury is severe.
When your insurance claim gets denied, however, it limits your ability to recover from the accident. If the costly mechanic fees aren’t repaid to you, your savings account can suffer. If hefty medical bills start to pile up, it can be difficult to see a future without them. What’s worse, you may need to refuse necessary treatments or therapies because you cannot afford them.
Appealing a denied insurance claim after a car accident can seem like a scary process, especially when you’re also recovering from the accident itself. However, understanding each step can make it more manageable and increase your chances for a successful appeal. When you need a car accident attorney in Portland, call Zbinden & Curtis Attorneys At Law.
Common Reasons Insurance Claims are Denied
First off, let’s look at why your claim might have been denied. Insurance companies often deny claims for a few common reasons. Sometimes, they say the specifics of the accident fall outside of your policy’s coverage, or they think you’re the primary person responsible for the accident. In other cases, they might not think you provided enough evidence for your claim, or your claim might exceed their policy limits. Legal issues, such as driving without a license, can also lead to claim denials, and sometimes, claims are incorrectly denied due to processing errors or misunderstandings.
The first step in appealing the insurance company’s decision is understanding exactly why your claim was denied. Some denials simply require some updated paperwork, but others can involve lengthy investigations. If things aren’t completed in the proper order or within the set time limits, the victims of accidents could be left with no financial support at all.
That’s why having an experienced car accident attorney is so important. We can handle the insurance companies so that you can focus on recovery.
Steps to Take After Your Insurance Claim is Denied.
Now, let’s talk about the appeal process itself. The first thing you’ll want to do is review your insurance policy and the denial letter. Your policy details what’s covered and what’s not, and the denial letter should explain why your claim was rejected.
Next, gather all the necessary paperwork. This includes your insurance policy, the denial letter, any photos or videos you have from the accident scene, the official police reports, and your medical records. Your attorney will help you find all of these documents by making official requests on your behalf. Organizing all of this evidence helps build a stronger case and makes the appeals process easier.
Then, your personal injury attorney from Zbinden & Curtis writes a formal notice of appeal to your insurance company. The notice will clearly state why we believe your claim was wrongfully denied and then support that belief with the evidence we’ve gathered.
When Zbinden & Curtis take over handling the insurance company, your chances for a better deal improve. We know all the tactics used to deny legitimate insurance claims, and we fight hard for the rights of our clients.
Exploring Alternatives for Resolution
If your insurance company also denies your appeal, the next step is to request an external review. We will argue that the insurance company is being unfair in its assessment of your accident and request that your case be reviewed by a neutral third party. Before the external review, we’ll help you identify what they’ll be looking for and prepare a compelling case for the justice you deserve.
If the external review also doesn’t resolve your issue, Zbinden & Curtis will file a complaint with the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. We will ensure that your complaint is supported by documents and evidence and includes all the necessary details.
Mediation is another way to resolve disputes with your insurance company because it involves a neutral third party who helps both sides reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Arbitration is another option, where an arbitrator makes a legally binding decision on the dispute.
Remember, insurance companies are businesses, and they may deny claims at first to save money. But with the right approach and legal support, you can contest a denial and get the compensation you’re entitled to.
Understanding Your Insurance Policy
It’s important to know what your car insurance covers and what it doesn’t. Look at your insurance policy and find the sections that talk about what situations are covered (like accidents or theft) and look specifically for what situations are not covered. Also, check how much money the insurance can pay for different types of damages. When you understand your policy, you’ll have a better idea of why your claim might be denied and what to do about it.
What to Do Right After an Accident
Right after a car accident, there are a few things you can do to help your insurance claim. First, take pictures of the accident scene and your car. This shows your insurance company exactly what happened. If you’re hurt, even a little, go see a doctor. This way, you have medical records that match your claim. Lastly, tell your insurance company about the accident as soon as you can. The sooner they know, the smoother the process will be.
If Your Insurance Claim Has Been Denied Call Zbinden & Curtis Attorneys At Law
The money you receive from an insurance claim can sometimes be the lifeline you need to recover from an accident. If your claim is denied for any reason, you could find yourself paying for the aftermath on your own.
Don’t accept an insurance claim denial alone; let Zbinden & Curtis Attorneys At Law fight for the compensation and the justice that you rightly deserve. Call our Portland office today at (503) 287-5000.
