Car accidents can be financially devastating for victims and their families. You may be depending on compensation to get back on your feet. However, your compensation claim may get rejected by the insurance company. It can be frustrating and confusing when you get a claim denial.
It’s only normal for you to want to know why your car accident claim got rejected. There are many reasons for claim rejection. One of them is the failure to meet deadlines. For example, in Myrtle Beach, you have three years to file a case against the at-fault party. A Myrtle Beach car accident attorney can help you understand why your claim was rejected.
Here are seven potential reasons why the insurer denied your car accident claim. Understanding them will help you in the process of appealing the denial.
1. Failing to File a Claim on Time
Many insurance companies set strict deadlines for filing a claim after an accident. In most instances, you must file a case within a reasonable period following the crash.
Some insurance providers define what a reasonable timeline is. However, others don’t. An insurance company might deny your car accident claim if you didn’t file it on time.
2. Lack of Evidence
Evidence is essential in proving that the other party was at fault. It also shows the damages that you suffered due to the accident. To be successful in your claim, you must provide evidence of the crash.
Evidence in a car accident case may include:
- Eyewitness statements
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Photos and videos of the crash
If you don’t have evidence to support your claim, the insurer will likely reject it.
3. Coverage Does Not Apply
Even though you have car insurance, your policy may not cover certain circumstances. If the insurance company finds that the coverage does not apply to your claim, they may reject it.
For example, your policy might not include coverage for collisions with animals. The insurer may deny your claim if you hit a deer on the road.
4. Lapse in Coverage
A lapse in coverage means there was a time when your car insurance was inactive. This can happen if you did not pay your car insurance premiums. If there is a lapse in coverage, the insurer may reject your car accident claim. They may do so because you were not insured at the time of the accident. To avoid this, make sure that your insurance policy is always up-to-date.
5. Failure to Report the Accident
Insurance companies require that you report an accident as soon as possible. Waiting too long makes it hard to gather evidence of your crash. This can make it difficult to prove that the accident happened and that you were not at fault.
If you fail to report the accident promptly, the insurance company may reject your claim. That’s because they are unable to conduct a proper investigation. Additionally, if you don’t report the car accident to the police, it can be hard to prove your case.
6. Not Seeing a Doctor After the Car Accident
You may have failed to seek medical treatment after your car accident. Maybe you thought your injuries were minor or didn’t realize you had gotten hurt.
If you don’t see a doctor, you might be unable to prove that the accident caused your injuries. Hence, the insurance company may reject your compensation claim.
7. Lying to the Insurance Company
You may have provided false information to the insurer to secure more compensation. For instance, you might exaggerate the extent of your injuries. Alternatively, you may have given incorrect information about the accident itself.
Lying to the insurer is typically considered insurance fraud and illegal. If the insurance company finds out you lied, they may reject your claim. They might also take legal action against you.
Wrap Up
Insurance companies deny claims for several reasons. These include problems with coverage, lack of evidence, lying, and missing deadlines. Understanding why your claim was rejected can help you determine what to do next.
