You are required by law to have insurance if you want to register a vehicle in the state of Georgia. You choose a policy and then pay your premiums, believing that coverage will be there when you need it. Unfortunately, many people file a claim and then are shocked to receive a lowball settlement offer or an outright denial of coverage.
Founded in 1992, the Georgia car accident attorneys at Slappey & Sadd know the games that insurance companies play. More importantly, we know how to navigate the claim process to get you the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t let the insurance company deny you the coverage you paid for – call us at 404-255-6677 or send us an email to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
The Insurance Company Will Investigate Your Claim
When you make a claim, you should first recognize that the insurance claim will not take your word for it. They will attempt to verify every aspect of your claim, from the damage to your vehicle to the severity of your injuries. They will scrutinize your medical records, visit the scene of the accident, and speak to the other driver and any witnesses. They may even require you to submit to a medical examination performed by a doctor of their choosing.
Understand Where the Insurance Company Is Coming From
In order to best understand the investigation process that the insurance company will use, it is first helpful to understand their motivations. First and foremost, insurance companies are for-profit corporations. As such, they are focused on increasing profitability and maximizing value for their shareholders. One of the ways that they do this, unfortunately, is by reducing the number of claims that they pay and the amount they pay out on each claim.
Another way that they protect the bottom line is by aggressively screening out fraudulent claims. While this ultimately benefits all policyholders, it can make it feel like your claim is being met with skepticism.
What Insurance Companies Will Look For
Insurance companies don’t take claims at face value, despite the fact that you are their “valued customer” who has paid your premiums for years. When they receive a claim, they will engage in an exhaustive investigation to achieve the purposes we discussed above. As part of that process, the insurance company will look for the following details to justify reducing or denying your claim:
- Inconsistent accounts of the accident
- Self-incriminating statements
- Any disparity between the severity of your injuries and the damage to your vehicle
- Evidence that your injuries are not as severe as you claim
- Independent verification of what happened in the accident
Understanding what the insurance company is looking for can help you be prepared and successfully navigate the investigation process.
You Don’t Have to Face the Insurance Companies Alone – Call Slappey & Sadd Today for a Free Case Evaluation
The insurance companies may promise a quick and easy claim process, but this is often not the case. The Atlanta car accident attorneys at Slappey & Sadd know how to handle obstinate insurance companies to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. If you’d like to schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys, call us at 404-255-6677 or reach out online to learn more about how we can help you.