You’ve been waiting weeks for a response from the insurance company. Your medical bills are piling up, you’ve missed work, and your car is still in the shop. Then the letter arrives, and your stomach drops.
“Claim denied.”
You’re hurt, angry, and wondering what to do when car insurance denies a claim after what seemed like a straightforward accident. Maybe the other driver ran a red light on Aurora Avenue in Seattle, or rear-ended you on I-5 during rush hour traffic. The fault seemed obvious to you.
Unfortunately, insurance companies deny legitimate claims every day in Washington State. They expect you to give up, accept their decision, and walk away. They’re counting on you feeling overwhelmed and powerless.
However, a denied claim doesn’t end your case—it simply means you need to take additional steps to recover the compensation you deserve.
Why Insurance Companies Deny Car Accident Claims
Understanding why the insurance company denied your claim helps you determine your best course of action. Here are some of the common reasons insurance companies reject claims:
- Disputed liability. Insurance companies often claim their driver wasn’t at fault. Instead, they might argue you were speeding, failed to yield, or violated a traffic law.
- Policy coverage issues. These arise when the company claims the accident isn’t covered under their driver’s policy. Proper legal analysis can often successfully challenge these coverage disputes.
- Insufficient evidence. Insurers may claim you can’t prove their driver caused the accident.
- Pre-existing conditions. A company argues that your injuries existed before the accident. They’ll review your medical history and look for prior complaints they can point to.
- Delayed reporting. This can be used against you when you didn’t report the crash immediately. Washington law requires reasonable notification of accidents, though timing can vary depending on circumstances.
Insurance companies often use these reasons to avoid paying claims, hoping you’ll accept their decision without further action. Fortunately, you can challenge many of these reasons.
What to Do When Car Insurance Denies a Claim: Your Immediate Steps
Receiving that denial letter is frustrating and stressful, but your response in the following few days matters. Here’s what you need to do right away:
- Read the denial letter carefully. The company must explain why it denied your claim. Look for specific reasons and any deadlines for appeals.
- Gather your documentation. Pull together everything related to your accident: police reports, medical records, photos, witness statements, and all communication with the insurance company.
- Review your insurance policy. Your insurance might cover damages through collision coverage, uninsured motorist protection, or personal injury protection (PIP).
- Request the claim file. If you believe there’s been an unfair denial, you can request to see the insurance company’s claim file. These files frequently contain information that contradicts their stated reasons for denial.
- Document everything moving forward. Keep detailed records of all phone calls, letters, and emails.
- Don’t accept the first answer. Insurance companies count on people giving up after the initial denial.
Taking these steps immediately after receiving a denial helps strengthen your position to challenge their decision and recover the compensation you deserve.
The Appeals Process in Washington State
When your auto insurance claim denied letter arrives, you usually have the right to appeal the decision. Washington State requires insurance companies to have internal appeal processes. These often break down as follows:
- File a formal appeal. Submit a written appeal within the timeframe specified in your denial letter, usually 30 to 60 days. Include evidence that contradicts their reasons for denial.
- Contact the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. This state agency investigates complaints against insurance companies and can pressure insurers to handle claims fairly.
- Consider arbitration. Some policies include mandatory arbitration clauses. While this limits your ability to sue, arbitration can be faster and less expensive for smaller claims.
The appeals process usually requires several weeks to a few months. Stay persistent and keep pushing for answers.
Building a Stronger Case
A denied claim often means you need stronger evidence. Here’s how to build the foundation for a successful appeal or lawsuit:
- Get independent expert opinions. Reconstruction specialists can analyze the crash scene and vehicle damage to prove how the accident happened.
- Interview witnesses again. Witnesses sometimes remember additional details weeks after the accident.
- Obtain additional medical documentation. Get detailed reports from all your treating physicians explaining how the accident caused your injuries.
- Calculate your full damages. Include all medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Building stronger evidence takes time and effort, but it’s often the key to overturning a wrongful denial and securing fair compensation.
When to Call a Washington Car Accident Attorney
Some denied claims require professional legal help to resolve successfully. Here are the signs it’s time to contact a car accident attorney:
- The denial involves complex liability issues. When multiple vehicles are involved, or fault is disputed, you need someone who understands Washington traffic laws and accident reconstruction.
- Your injuries are severe or permanent. Significant medical expenses and long-term disabilities require aggressive advocacy to recover full compensation.
- The insurance company is acting in bad faith. If they delay investigations, refuse to communicate, or deny obvious claims, you might have additional rights under Washington’s bad faith insurance laws.
- You’re facing financial hardship. Medical bills and lost wages create immediate pressure that requires prompt resolution of your claim.
- The appeal process isn’t working. Legal action might be necessary if internal appeals and state agency complaints haven’t moved your case forward.
At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we’ve spent decades fighting wrongful claim denials throughout Washington State. We know how insurance companies operate and what their tactics are to avoid paying legitimate claims.
Fighting Back Against a Wrongful Claim Denial
A denied insurance claim feels overwhelming, but you have options. The key is acting quickly and systematically to challenge their decision.
Start with the appeals process, gather stronger evidence, and don’t let the insurance company pressure you into accepting an unfair result. Remember, they denied your claim, hoping you’d give up. Prove them wrong.
If you’re dealing with a denied claim and need guidance on your next steps, contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner today. For over 50 years, we’ve helped the people of Washington fight for their rights after an accident. We’ll review your denial letter, explain your options, and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Don’t let a wrongful denial become your final answer. Let’s change that outcome together.
