Navigating the world of insurance claims can be complex and overwhelming, particularly when dealing with the aftermath of a car accident. You filed a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company expecting your losses to be covered—but the insurance company denied your claim. A denied claim can add more stress to an already difficult situation. 
Why the Insurance Company Denied Your Claim
Although it is hard to hear that your claim was denied, you can still appeal the insurance company’s decision. Before you start the appeals process, it can be helpful to understand the reason for the rejection. Here are a few common reasons for claim denials:
The Insurance Company Believes You Were 100% at Fault for the Accident
Missouri operates under a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning that an injured party can claim damages unless they are 100% responsible for the accident.
The at-Faut Driver’s Insurance Policy Has Lapsed
If the other party failed to pay their premiums and the policy lapsed, the insurer may claim there was no coverage at the time of the accident. In this case, you may be able to rely on your own uninsured motorist coverage for compensation.
Exclusions in the at-Fault Party’s Insurance Policy
If the liable party’s insurance policy doesn't cover "acts of God" (events caused by nature), the insurer may contest your claim. They might argue that the true cause of the accident was a natural event—like an unexpected hail storm—rather than the other driver's recklessness.
What to Do if the Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
Getting your claim denied after a car accident can place a heavy financial strain on you and your family. You may wonder how you’re going to pay for medical bills and property damage if the insurance company is using underhanded and shifty tactics to deny paying you the compensation you deserve.
Insurance claims adjusters are tasked with the job of either approving or rejecting claims. This process includes looking at the details of your claim and determining whether they are responsible for compensating you in this particular circumstance.
Even if your car insurance claim has been denied, it's not the end of the road. There's still a possibility that you can secure the compensation you're entitled to. Here are some of the options that may be able to help you:
Ask for an Explanation for the Denial
Ask the liable party’s insurance company to provide a denial letter outlining why your claim was denied. This letter is important because it provides written verification of the insurer’s understanding of your situation. It can also help you assess whether the insurer is right or wrong in denying your claim.
Submit Additional Evidence to Support Your Claim
Go through all the information from the insurance company and gather the necessary evidence for an appeal. An experienced Missouri car accident lawyer can thoroughly investigate the accident and help gather evidence about the crash. Evidence that needs to be collected includes:
- Police reports
- Details from witnesses
- Pictures
- Medical reports
- Any other corroborating evidence
Make duplicates of all documents to submit to the insurance company, and retain the original copies.
File an Appeal
If you cannot provide additional evidence for your claim, you may want to file an appeal or request an appraisal from the other driver’s insurance company. The procedure for this is detailed in the insurance policy.
It is important that you don't miss any deadlines associated with an appeal. Missing a deadline could result in losing your right to appeal entirely. This can leave you shouldering financial burdens that your insurance claim might have covered.
Get Help to Fight Your Denial
Beck & Beck is the only law firm in Missouri that focuses exclusively on Missouri auto accident cases. They manage every detail from start to finish—leaving you to concentrate on the most crucial task: your recovery.