Top 3 Reasons Your Insurance Company Can Use to Deny Auto Accident Claims

Top 3 Reasons Your Insurance Company Can Use to Deny Auto Accident Claims

Personal Injury AttorneyThe U.S. insurance industry has trillions of dollars in assets and it pays its CEOs more than any other industry. However, this does not stop them from take advantage of policyholders. Most insurance companies try to up-sell policies to their clients, even though they may not need them, or deny claims to valid insurance holders.

Unfortunately, this is the reality of insurance claims in Illinois. However, you can prevent this from happening by thoroughly reading through your policy document. Even then, your insurance company may try and reduce your claim using the fine print in your policy or possible hidden clauses. Here are some ways your insurance company can try to reduce how much they pay you after a car accident:

Policy Limitations

Every insurance policy comes with limits, irrespective of the damage, so you won’t get any coverage that exceeds it. To ensure you are covered for most damages, carefully choose a plan. While paying for higher coverage can be expensive, it will pay off because your insurer will have to pay for damages that cover it.

Also, keep in mind the type of coverage you choose will determine the specific amount your insurance company will pay. For instance, if your policy does not cover collision damage, the insurer will not pay for it if your car is involved in a head-on collision. From a financial point of view, because Illinois is an at-fault state, getting the best coverage will be in your best interest.

Prior Injuries or Surgeries

One of the first things your insurance company will do is to ask you to sign a medical authorization form. This is the worst thing you can do without an attorney present. These forms are used to search through the claimant’s medical history to pinpoint prior injuries or surgeries, which can be used to compromise their claim.

In other words, the insurance company may claim your injuries were the result of a previous medical procedure or accident, not the one your asking damages for. They may also use the information you provide to argue your injuries are not severe enough to merit damages.

Pre-Existing Conditions

If you’re living with a pre-existing condition, the insurance company may try to blame it for the accident. They may say it caused your injuries, rather than the incident itself.

For instance, if you have a pre-existing back injury that was aggravated because of the accident, the insurer may try to claim your new condition did not result from it. How can you make sure this doesn’t happen? By hiring an experienced attorney who can see right through their lies.

Whether you have been injured in a car accident and want to sue the negligent driver for damages or want to take an insurance company to task for denying your claim, call the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens today. We will put a team of professional personal injury attorneys on your case who will ensure you get the compensation you deserve and need. We represent clients in Chicago, Waukegan, Libertyville, Woodstock and Antioch, Illinois.

Call today for a free consultation

(847) 395-2200