After an auto accident, you rely on insurance coverage to get your vehicle back in working order and pay your medical expenses. What happens if the insurance company denies your claim?
Review these common reasons for insurance claim issues and review steps you can take to seek restitution.
Liability-related denial
The insurance company may cite a lack of liability when denying your claim. In Pennsylvania, drivers can choose either fault or no-fault coverage. If you have a fault policy, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This person’s insurer may argue that he or she did not cause the crash. In this case, provide supporting evidence along with your claim, including police reports, video and photo of the crash site, and eyewitness accounts.
Coverage-related denial
The insurance company can also deny a claim if they report that the policyholder did not have coverage when the accident occurred. For example, in the case of late payment, the insurer discontinues the policy until the customer pays to reinstate it. If an accident happens in the meantime, the insurance company does not have financial responsibility for the resulting claims.
To avoid this situation, many motorists in the state purchase underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. You can claim against this type of policy when you have an accident with someone who has no auto insurance.
If you have fault insurance coverage in Pennsylvania, you can sue the other driver directly to collect damages. Even people who choose no-fault coverage can take this route if they have serious auto accident injuries. You can also appeal the insurance company’s decision through their internal channels.
