Seven Tactics Insurance Use to Deny or Downplay Your Car Accident Claim
When car accidents in Daytona Beach happen, the reckless actions of others are often to blame. As a result, you can be left suffering serious personal injuries that prevent you from working while requiring ongoing medical care. Insurance may cover some of your expenses, but it is not uncommon for these companies to either deny or downplay your claim. To protect yourself and your rights in this situation, be aware of the common tactics insurers use and your options in getting the compensation you need to recover.
Common Tactics Used By Insurers in Car Accident Claims
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) advises that all licensed drivers in the state are required to maintain a mandatory minimum amount of automobile insurance coverage. This protects others in the event of car accidents for which you are to blame and protectis you in the event of a collision with an uninsured motorist.
After paying increasingly high premiums for these policies, you expect this coverage to be there to help you when a car accident does occur. However, people often fail to recognize that insurers are for-profit businesses. As such, one of the ways they protect their profits is by either denying or undervaluing your claim. Seven common tactics they are likely to use include:
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Disputing the circumstances surrounding your car accident. By attempting to blame you or claiming you were at least partially at-fault, they can deny your claim or reduce the amount of your payment.
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Disputing the terms of your policy. Insurers are notorious for including fine print in their policies, such as exclusions that allow them to deny your claim.
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Disputing the nature and severity of your injuries. Beware of signing any medical releases with the insurer, as they may use this to dispute your injuries or claim they were due to a previous condition.
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Disputing lost wages, property damages, and other costs. Downplaying other costs you suffer as a result of your car accident can help save insurers thousands of dollars in payouts on claims.
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Claiming you failed to follow the proper procedures. Insurers often have strict policies and timelines you must follow. Failure to adhere to these is a frequent reason for denied claims.
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Offering an immediate settlement. While your goal is to obtain a reasonable settlement, be cautious in accepting any early offers made by the insurer. It can take up to six months or longer to determine the full extent of your injuries. Once you accept an offer, you will be forfeiting your rights in any future claims.
Let Us Help You Today
At Bundza & Rodriguez, P.A., we negotiate with insurers on your behalf to ensure you get the maximum amount in your claim. If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit against them. To discuss the options in your particular case, contact our Daytona Beach car accident attorneys today to request a consultation.
https://www.daytonalawyers.com/five-common-types-of-car-accidents-and-how-they-happen/
