In some instances, insurance companies will try to deny a completely legitimate claim. It’s important to remember that while insurance companies act like they’re for the customer, their main priority is actually their bottom line.
In an ideal world, clients will pay insurance companies premiums every month and never require a payout from their policy, allowing all of those premiums to contribute to insurance company profits. However, we do not live in an ideal world, and car accidents happen across Florida every single day. When your insurance claim is denied, you’ll need the full assistance of a personal injury attorney in Florida to handle your case and figure out how to get you the compensation you deserve.
When a legitimate insurance claim is denied, a driver will need to take the next steps to fight this decision. Unfortunately, this can be tricky, so a Florida personal injury attorney is your best bet at walking you through the process.
First, a complaint should be filed with the Florida Department of Insurance to appeal the denial, as this is typically the most successful course of action in overturning the initial decision by the insurance company. If this doesn’t work, the case will need to be taken to court, and your Florida personal injury attorney will be by your side to represent you before your insurance company and a judge.
Why Do Claims Get Denied?
If a legitimate claim is made, why would it get denied? There are a few reasons insurance companies use to deny claims, but it’s important to remember that the end goal is to avoid payouts and retain profits. A few common reasons why insurance companies may deny claims are:
• Violation of Florida law – If a driver has been found to have violated the law in the accident, their insurance company may deny their claim. If the driver was driving without a valid license, if they were under the influence at the time of the accident, or if they were traveling at excessive speeds an insurance company may use any of these reasons to deny. In these instances, it’s important to note, the driver may not win their claim case through appeals or the court system.
• Violation of policy – It’s always important to review and re-review your insurance policy before signing on. Policies are filled with fine print, and if your accident has been found to be in violation of this fine print your claim may be denied. An example would be a policy prohibiting ride-sharing, and it being found that the driver was ride-sharing at the time of an accident. If you’re unsure of what your policy covers and doesn’t cover, your personal injury attorney can help to make the language of your policy clearer.
• Insurance companies argue claim is fraudulent – Even when the claim is legitimate, small details may cause insurance companies to deny a claim on the grounds of fraud. In these instances, all of your evidence will need to be presented during the appeals process or a court case to prove your claim is honest, truthful, and legitimate.
• Waiting to submit documentation – If you submit a claim without documentation backing up your injuries and accident, your claim may be denied. It’s always best to have your documentation ready and waiting, or at least documentation proving just your accident and injuries, as soon as you file your claim.
With the help of a professional Florida personal injury attorney by your side, an insurance company denying a claim doesn’t have to be the end of the road. To learn more about how a personal injury attorney can help with your claim denial, contact us and find out why Justice Pays.