No one who files a car accident insurance claim in Texas expects it to get denied or rejected by the insurance company. This is a common occurrence; however, that does not necessarily mean the end of your car accident case in Laredo. If you find yourself in this situation, you have the right to appeal the denial.
Discover Why The Insurer Denied the Accident Claim
The first thing you should do is learn as much as you can about why the insurance company denied your claim. You should have received a formal rejection notice or letter that includes a reason or explanation regarding the company’s decision. It may be something you can remedy on your own, such as submitting missing information or additional proof of your losses.
After receiving a denial letter, contact the insurance company to discuss your claim in more detail. Ask why it was denied. Common reasons are policy exclusions, lack of coverage, missed deadlines, insufficient evidence and liability disputes. Compare the reason to the language of the insurance policy you are using to determine if it is valid.
Request an Internal Review
If you believe the insurer has made a mistake, point this out and ask for an internal review of your claim. A new insurance adjuster may be assigned to reevaluate your case and potentially come to a different conclusion. Throughout this process, note the insurance company’s deadline to appeal. Some insurance companies have short time limits for filing an official appeal.
File an Appeal
If requesting clarification or an additional review of your claim still leads to a rejection, your next option is to file an appeal. The insurance company may have an internal appeal process, or you can consult with a car accident attorney for assistance with an official appeal. An attorney can file an appeal of the insurer’s rejection in the civil courthouse in your county.
An appeal requests that an appellate court review the facts of a claim and potentially overturn the decision of an insurance company. The court may approve your appeal if it agrees that the insurance provider should not have denied your claim based on the facts of the case and the details of the policy. A Laredo personal injury lawyer can represent you during mediation or arbitration to help resolve your appeal out of court, or, if necessary, represent you during a trial.
Issue a Complaint
Some car insurance claim denials in Texas are examples of insurance bad faith. Bad faith means that an insurance provider is refusing to handle your claim in a good-faith or honest attempt to resolve it based on the policy’s terms.
If you suspect an insurance company of treating you in bad faith, a personal injury lawyer can help you file a separate claim against the insurance provider. You can also have the insurance company looked into by the Texas Department of Insurance by filing a formal complaint.
Get Legal Help from Gonzalez Druker Law Firm
Just because your car accident claim gets denied in Texas does not mean you are ineligible for financial compensation for your medical bills and property repairs. There are many reasons why an insurance company may initially reject your claim – many of which may not be valid or enforceable.
Contact an attorney from Gonzalez Druker Law Firm for advice and assistance as soon as you receive a claim denial notification. A lawyer in Texas can carefully review your case, contact the insurance company on your behalf to clear up a misunderstanding and take legal action, if necessary, to appeal the decision and seek the financial compensation you deserve.