Dealing with insurance companies can be a long, confusing process — especially if your claim is denied. It’s not always clear what steps to take to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Why Was My Claim Denied?
When your insurance company denies your claim, it will notify you in writing. You need to read the letter carefully and identify the basis for the denial. If you did not receive a letter, ask your insurance company to provide you with one.
There are several circumstances in which claims may be denied, including:
- You missed the deadlines or time limitations for filing
- There are clerical errors in your application
- You failed to provide required medical evidence, or the information that you submitted was incomplete or unclear
- You did not make all your premium payments
- And more...
What Are My Options?
If your claim was denied and you do not agree with the decision, you have three options: appeal the decision, file a lawsuit, or negotiate a settlement.
To appeal the denial, paperwork is submitted using your insurance company’s internal appeal process. While this is certainly presented as the best approach, and you may believe you have a good chance of winning, there are some important factors to consider before making an appeal.
In almost all cases, when you appeal the insurance company’s decision, the “appeal” is simply the same insurance company reconsidering its own decision. This process could take many months, meaning you may miss the deadline to file a lawsuit as you wait for it to notify you of its decision.
Appeals do not succeed very often and it may often turn out that filing a lawsuit is your best option.
What Should I Do?
The first thing you should do any time your insurance claim is denied is speak to an experienced lawyer. The experts at Beckett Personal Injury can help you understand your policy, notify you of any deadlines, guide you through the claims process, review your forms and documents, and deal with the insurance company. This will help ensure that you are treated fairly and get the compensation you are entitled to.
It is not always necessary for a lawsuit to be filed in order to dispute a denial. Often, an experienced lawyer can deal with the insurance company before litigation is started to get you the compensation you deserve without having to sue.
If you need a personal injury lawyer who has the experience and expertise to fight for your rights, contact us today.
Published on January 8, 2021
