There are few things more frustrating than dealing with an insurance company refusing to pay your claim.
You should not be given the runaround by the insurance company on top of the other challenges you are facing.
If an insurance company denied your auto, homeowners, or other insurance claim, the attorneys at VanDerGinst Law can help.
We will examine your claim denial and help you figure out what to do when insurance won’t pay.
Why Would an Insurance Company Refuse to Pay Your Claim?
The ultimate goal of the insurance company is to protect their bottom line. This means that they will always strive to pay you as little as possible.
Insurance companies will often make low-ball settlement offers, hoping you will take the money to avoid the hassle of negotiation or a lawsuit.
The insurance company may also deny your claim outright for reasons such as:
- Exclusions in the policy
- Nonpayment of premiums
- Denial of fault
- Allegation of fraud
- Lack of evidence, or
- Waiting too long to file a claim
If an insurance company denies your claim, they must tell you the reason for the denial.
In fact, you may have a cause of action against the insurance company if it denies your claim without a reason, does not respond to your claim in a timely manner, or does not communicate with you.
An attorney can help you figure out what to do if the insurance company is stalling.
What to Do When Insurance is Refusing to Pay
When an insurance company refuses to pay a claim, it’s important to remain calm and act rationally. Getting angry with the insurance adjuster or other representative won’t help. However, there are steps you can take both before and after a claim arises to protect your interests.
Keep Accurate Records
When it comes to insurance claims, it is important to document as much as possible.
For example, after an auto accident, you can take photos or video and get statements from witnesses. Then if an at-fault driver’s insurance won’t pay, you can be sure you have the best evidence to support your claim.
To prepare for potential future claims against your homeowners insurance, you can keep an inventory of your possessions or do a video walk-through of your home.
Know Your Rights
Any time you take out an insurance policy, be sure to read it thoroughly and check that you have the coverage you need. When it comes time to make a claim, review your policy to make sure you understand what is covered, how to file a claim, any time limits on filing, and the process for estimating damage.
Consult an Experienced Attorney
If an insurance company is not paying a claim, it’s important to contact an attorney right away.
After denying your claim, the insurance company hopes that you will give up and go away. Statutes of limitations in each state limit the time you have to file a lawsuit. Once that time is up, the insurance company can rest easy knowing that you can’t challenge a denial.
It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an insurance company denies your claim if you want to preserve your right to recover damages from your accident.
Learn More About How A Personal Injury Attorney Could Help You
VanDerGinst Law Can Help with Your Insurance Claim Denial
If your insurance company refuses to pay your claim, contact VanDerGinst Law right away.
Our lawyers have successfully handled tens of thousands of personal injury cases. We know the insurance companies’ tactics and how to negotiate with them.
Together, we can come up with a plan of action to stand up to your insurance company and fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
Call or contact us today to set up a free consultation.
The information contained on this website is presented by VanDerGinst Law P.C. It is not intended nor should it be construed as professional legal advice. The information is general in nature about the Firm, the scope of services we offer, and our community outreach, it is not legal advice. Please contact us by phone, email, mail, or via this website for inquiries. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact a personal injury attorney for a consultation regarding your situation. This website is not intended to solicit clients outside the State of Iowa and/or the State of Illinois.