Filing a claim with your auto insurance company is often a tedious and confusing process. Understanding how insurance companies work and how they try to trick you into settling for unfair compensation is crucial. If you need help with disputing an insurance claim, contact the auto insurance attorneys at Denmon Pearlman.
Do You Have the Right Coverage to File a Legitimate Claim?
If you suffer injuries due to someone’s negligence or carelessness, you may be able to file a claim with your insurance company. However, if you have no coverage, you won’t be able to make any claims against anyone. This means you’ll have to rely solely on your resources to get back on your feet after being hurt in an auto accident.
Is Your Insurance Company Ignoring or Denying Your Claim?
You may be entitled to compensation if another person’s negligence has injured you. However, if your insurance company denies your claim, they are likely doing so because they don’t believe you were hurt due to someone else’s fault. Contact our law firm today to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our team can look over your case and advise whether you should pursue legal action against the other party.
Do You Have Adequate Auto Insurance?
If you are seeking auto insurance, you should know that many different types of coverage are available. There are liability policies, collision policies, comprehensive policies, uninsured motorist policies, medical payments policies, personal injury protection policies, etc. Trying to figure out what type of insurance coverage policy is best for you can be confusing – but we’re here to help!
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance
PIP insurance covers medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and more if you are injured while driving or operating a motor vehicle owned by someone else. It also protects against uninsured motorist coverage.
Lost Wage Coverage Under a PIP Policy
Insurance companies require proof that you’re unable to work. Once the insurance company receives that information, they must compensate you for your lost wages within 30 calendar days. If your doctor says you can’t work, you’ll be entitled to a check every two weeks.
Remember that PIP only pays 60% of your lost income. You deserve compensation no matter who was at fault for the accident. The negligent driver who caused the accident will also be liable for the remaining 40% of your lost wages. You won’t get any of your unpaid wages back until your case has been settled. Keep in mind that the lost wage payments from your PIP policy will reduce the amount available for medical care.
Medical Payment Insurance
A medical payment insurance policy can be helpful if you have health problems or are undergoing treatment at a hospital or clinic. It covers costs such as doctor fees, diagnostic tests, medicines, and other treatments. If you don’t already have private health coverage, this type of plan may be worth considering.
Property Damage Coverage
Property damage liability coverage is another type of insurance required under state law. Florida law requires at least $10,000 in property damage coverage. This insurance protects you against the damage you cause to another driver’s property.
Property damage insurance does not cover your car if it is involved in an accident. It only protects the other driver’s property in an accident. To protect your property, you must have collision insurance.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage pays for car repairs when they’re not caused by another driver, such as when they’re caused by weather or animal collisions. Comprehensive coverage usually comes with a deductible, meaning you must pay for any covered expenses upfront.
Collision
Collision coverage covers repairs to your vehicle in an accident with another car or certain other types of crashes. Like comprehensive coverage, collision coverage often comes with a deductible. Many auto loan companies require collision coverage until the loan on the vehicle is paid off.
Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident with another driver who does not have insurance or has inadequate coverage, you may be able to recover damages through your uninsured motorist policy. This type of insurance protects you if someone else’s negligence injures you. It also covers injuries caused by accidents involving other drivers without adequate liability coverage.
Required Auto Insurance Coverage in Florida
Florida law requires that you prove that you have automobile insurance for Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers injuries to others, and Property Damage Liability (PDLI), which covers damage to other people’s property. PIP covers 80% of all necessary and reasonable health care costs up to $10,000 resulting from a covered injury regardless of who was at fault for the accident. PDL coverage pays if you cause damage to another person’s property.
Proof of PIP or PDL coverage must be issued either by an insurance company licensed to sell policies in Florida or by qualifying for a Self-Insured Certificate issued by FLHSMV.
No-Fault Auto Insurance in Florida
The state of Florida was second in the US to become a no-fault auto insurance state, meaning that the state legislature would not require its residents to purchase automobile liability insurance. This insurance law was adopted to better compensate people injured in automobile accidents regardless of who was at fault. If a person is involved in an automobile accident, they will need to use their insurance regardless of who was at fault. The no-fault law was intended to ensure that injured people in car accidents were compensated for their injuries directly by their insurance companies.
Common Insurance Claim Tactics
If you are involved in an accident or suffer injuries while driving, there are many ways insurance companies can try to avoid paying out compensation. These tactics include denying claims, delaying payments, refusing to settle, and attempting to eliminate their responsibility by offering low settlements.
Running Out the Clock
Any kind of disaster can be both emotionally and economically stressful. The insurance company will employ delay and stall tactics to put the claimant off balance. They use their delay tactics to create feelings of desperation among their victims.
We’ve seen cases where the adjusters delayed paying claims to the policyholder that should have been settled immediately. If the adjuster takes too long to respond, the claimant might get desperate enough to settle the case for a much smaller amount or feel overwhelmed by the process and give up entirely.
Disputing Medical Treatment
An injured person might quickly insist that their health is fine or that they don’t need to go to the ER. If a plaintiff delays seeking medical care, the insurance company might argue that the injury wasn’t serious because the injured person didn’t seek medical attention. If a plaintiff seeks treatment, insurance adjusters might argue that the medical expenses were unnecessary or that the recovery process was slower than expected.
If you want to avoid this tactic and get compensated for your medical bills, seek the appropriate medical care and be consistent with your recovery plan. An insurance adjuster is not a medical professional and is not qualified to make observations regarding a plaintiff’s medical condition.
Misrepresenting Insurance Benefits
Insurance companies use your lack of familiarity with the situation to devalue and minimize claims.
You shouldn’t accept legal counsel from an insurance provider for the at-fault party as they are not licensed to practice law. You should consult a lawyer to advise you of your legal rights in what you may be entitled to in your injury claim.
Insisting You Don’t Need an Attorney
Attorneys specializing in personal injury law know how to ensure that plaintiffs get fair compensation for their injuries. An attorney will advocate for the client, protect their claim, look out for their best interest, and help them get the settlement they deserve.
Why You Should Hire an Auto Insurance Attorney
If you are looking for auto insurance, you should hire an attorney specializing in this field. The proper legal representation can help you find the best policy with personal injury protection. They can also advise you about any legal issues or problems that may arise with your policy.
Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Florida? Call Today!
If you need legal help with car insurance claims or insurance disputes, the personal injury lawyers at Denmon Pearlman are here for you. Dealing with auto insurance companies can be confusing and frustrating, but with us by your side, they don’t have to be. Contact us today for a free consultation!
FAQs
How do you scare insurance adjusters?
Many different things can be done to increase the amount of money you receive from your insurance company. Hiring a personal injury attorney is the best route to get your insurance company feeling the heat. Filing a lawsuit can be the best course of action when push comes to shove.
How do I get the most money from an insurance claim?
If you have been injured or suffered damage due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation through personal injury claims. However, if you are unsure how much you can expect to receive, you should seek advice from an auto accident attorney specializing in this area.
Can you sue an insurance company in Florida?
If your insurance company has violated the terms of your policy or refused to pay you what you’re owed, you can sue them for breach of contract in Florida. Your success in court depends on the quality of documentation collected. You must also hire an experienced insurance lawyer. Your lawyer will review the policy and help you determine whether you have a valid claim under the terms of the policy.
Should I get a lawyer for a car accident that was my fault in Florida?
There is no law in Florida requiring you to seek legal help after a motor vehicle accident. However, your personal injury law firm will make sure, right at the beginning, that you do and that you say the correct things to receive fair compensation.
Can a car insurance company refuse to pay a claim?
Insurance companies deny claims because of various reasons. Whether they choose to accept or reject your claim, they must be able to provide evidence and coverage information to back up their decision.
Our Expertise
We have your back. Whatever you might be suffering from, accidents, injuries or medical malpractice, we have you covered throughout Florida
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