When you get into an accident, there are many bills to pay. One of the recommended ways to deal with this problem is to have an insurance plan ready to dole out the needed money. However, many people forget that insurance companies are not charitable organizations. They are businesses and they often refuse to pay out claims, depending on the circumstances.
If you are one of those people who are unlucky enough to have their claims denied, here are a few tips for you:
Read Your Policy
One of the first things you should do is read the policy that you signed when you started your insurance payments. There are several clauses that your insurance company can invoke so as to avoid payment. You and your insurer may have a different interpretation of how the clauses work, so you might be really in the wrong. However, legal language can be interpreted in various ways and if the wording seems to be unfair, then there is a good chance it is.
Contact the Claims Department
When you’ve read the policy and you think you still deserve to get compensated, the first step is to contact your insurance company’s claims department. You do not want to escalate this immediately. Your insurer may have made a mistake and you could probably clear this up with a reasonable discussion between you and the company. Ask for the reason for the claim denial and present proof why you deserve to get compensated.
This can be a slow process. Start with the person who denied your claim, and then approach their supervisor to get a proper explanation on your claim denial. Keep records of everything that has passed between you and the insurance company and always ask for a written response. If you’ve exhausted all of your options, then it is time to escalate the matter.
Get Some Help
The first person that can help you with your insurance claim would be your employer. If you were hurt during work, then they are obligated to help you out. If the insurance company doesn’t pay, then they are on the hook for it. This gives them some encouragement to help.
If you are self-employed or you are making an insurance claim for an accident outside of work, you have two main sources of help. One is the state insurance regulator. They take it seriously when insurance companies are trying to squirrel out of payments. Next, there are law firms. It should be easy enough to hire an experienced bad faith insurance lawyer in Los Angeles and other cities.
This is where all the records of your discussion with the insurance company can help. Combined with your initial insurance contract, your lawyer should be able to determine whether you have a case or not. Lawyers are a big help and they can make your insurer pay your claim or settle out of court when you file a lawsuit.
Insurance companies are supposed to be there to help you when you are in trouble. That is what you’re paying those premiums for. Not getting your claim can cause big problems for you, especially if you need the money to pay for various expenses or recover from injuries caused by the accident. The tips above should help you in getting what you deserve.