Car accidents are a common occurrence on Florida’s busy roads, and they can happen to anyone at any time. Unfortunately, when you file a car accident claim with your insurance company, there is no guarantee that it will be approved. There are several reasons why insurers may deny your claim, leaving you to pay for the damages out of pocket.

In this article, we’ll explore five common reasons why Florida insurers deny car accident claims and what you can do about them. If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, a Miami car accident lawyer can help protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

Florida Is a No-Fault State

Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to car accidents, which means that each driver’s insurance company pays for their own damages regardless of who caused the accident. This also means that drivers must carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage as part of their auto insurance policy.

While this system aims to simplify the process of settling claims and reduce litigation, it can also lead to insurers denying legitimate claims or offering low settlements. Additionally, if your damages exceed your PIP coverage limit, you may need to take legal action against the other driver’s insurer to recover additional compensation.

This is why it is important to contact an experienced Miami car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash. They can help ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Your Insurance Company Will Not Automatically Approve Your Car Accident Claim

When you are in a car accident, it’s natural to assume that your insurance company will approve your claim. However, this is not always the case in Florida. Even if you have been paying premiums for years and have a perfect driving record, your insurer may still deny your car accident claim.

Insurance companies are businesses that aim to make money. Therefore, they are likely to look for ways to minimize their losses or avoid paying out claims altogether. This means that just because you have auto insurance does not guarantee automatic approval of your claim.

Therefore, it is essential to document all details of the crash thoroughly and keep clear records of any communication with your insurer regarding the claim. You should also consider hiring an experienced Miami car accident lawyer who can advocate on your behalf and negotiate with insurers for fair compensation.

Top 5 Reasons That Claims Are Denied

These are the most common reasons why an insurance claim may be denied.

You Did Not Seek Medical Attention Immediately After the Accident

One common reason why Florida insurers may deny a car accident claim is if you did not seek medical attention immediately after the accident. Even if you feel fine and think that there are no injuries, it’s important to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible.

There are several reasons for this. Firstly, some injuries may not show symptoms right away but can become more severe over time. Delaying treatment could worsen your condition and increase the likelihood of long-term damage.

Secondly, seeking prompt medical attention creates an official record of your injuries that can be used to support your claim later on. If you wait too long to see a doctor, insurers may argue that your injuries were not related to the accident or were exaggerated.

You Were Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

In Florida, driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense and can lead to severe legal consequences. If you were involved in an accident while under DUI, your insurance company may deny your claim as it’s considered negligent behavior.

It’s important to note that even if you have comprehensive insurance coverage, it won’t cover accidents caused due to DUI. You may face further penalties such as license suspension or revocation which depends on whether this is your first offence or not.

Your Damages Exceed the Policy Limit

One of the reasons why Florida insurers may deny a car accident claim is if the damages exceed the policy limit. This means that the amount of money you are claiming for your injuries, property damage, and other losses is more than what your insurance policy covers.

In this situation, you have a few options. You can try to negotiate with your insurer to see if they will increase their offer or provide additional compensation. Alternatively, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver in order to seek further compensation.

It’s important to note that filing a lawsuit can be a complex process and it’s highly recommended that you seek legal advice from an experienced Miami car accident lawyer who specializes in handling cases like yours. They can help guide you through every step of the process and ensure that you receive fair compensation for all of your damages.

You Delayed Filing the Claim

One common reason why car accident claims get denied in Florida is delayed filing. It’s important to note that there are time limits for filing an insurance claim after a car accident, and if you wait too long, your insurer may refuse to pay out.

Insurers require timely notification so they can conduct their own investigation into the incident before accepting or denying the claim. By delaying the process, you’re making it difficult for them to gather evidence and assess what happened at the scene.

Additionally, delayed claims may be viewed as suspicious by insurance companies. They may see your delay as a sign that you’re trying to manipulate or hide something about the incident.

You Have a History of Filing Car Accident Claims

If you’ve been involved in multiple car accidents and filed claims for each one of them, it’s likely that your insurance company will view you as a high-risk driver. This means they may be more inclined to deny your claim or offer a lower settlement than what you believe is fair.

Insurance companies keep track of your claims history, and if they notice several previous filings, they might assume that the current accident is just another instance of reckless driving on your part. They may also suspect fraudulent behavior, which can lead to an outright denial of your claim.

Let an Experienced Miami Car Accident Lawyer Help You File Your Claim

Filing a car accident claim in Florida can be a complicated and challenging process. If you have been involved in an accident and your insurance company has denied your claim, don’t give up hope just yet. There may still be options available to you.

One of the best things you can do is to seek the help of an experienced Miami car accident lawyer. We will review your case, investigate the accident scene, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.

Don’t let a denied car accident claim cause further stress and financial burden. Contact our Miami injury lawyers and schedule a free case review as soon as possible after your car accident!