When you’ve been injured in a car accident one of the first things you want to do after seeking medical treatment is start looking for a car accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the sometimes complicated world of car insurance. But if you have already filed your car insurance claim and were denied, it may be for a simpler reason than you think. Here are 5 possible reasons to look into before proceeding.
1. Missed Premium Payments
If you or the other driver have missed a payment, the insurance company has the right to suspend coverage. This isn’t always obvious because a missed payment or more, won’t change an insurance card’s expiration date. But when you file a claim against the at-fault driver or with your own insurance provider a lapse may be identified, giving reason for a denial.
2. Insufficient Coverage
Many driver’s opt to get liability coverage instead of full coverage because it is cheaper. But if liability is all you have and you are the at-fault driver, you won’t be able to receive any compensation. If you failed to include uninsured motorist coverage, and you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, you can be denied. To avoid having insufficient coverage, make sure that you understand your policy and what is and what is not covered.
3. You’re Not the Policy Holder
Be aware that if you are driving a friend, relative, or someone else’s vehicle, depending on the language in the policy, you may not be covered. You would be considered an excluded driver. This can also apply to the at-fault driver. If the at-fault driver isn’t covered, your claim can be denied.
4. Lack of Documentation
If you waited a long time to seek medical attention, did not get an official accident report by a police officer or have insufficient documentation, your claim may be denied. In order to discourage and prevent fraudulent claims, many insurance companies place the burden of proof on you. To avoid this, take pictures, get the names and contact information for any witnesses, medical records, accident reports and any other evidence that supports your insurance claim.
5. Too Slow
Just like crimes have a statute of limitations, you can wait too long to file your claim. When you’ve been involved in an accident, you need to file your claim as soon as possible. Of course, if you are hospitalized this may not be feasible, but an attorney or someone else can start the claim so that you don’t exceed the time you have to file your claim. When you wait to file your claim, the insurance company can say that they didn’t have enough time or notice to research your claim.
There are lots of reasons why insurance companies deny claims, but the best way to avoid being denied is to be prepared and prompt.