Considering the fact that Philadelphia is, along with a lot of other cities in the USA, one of the most populated cities in the country, it is no wonder that it is well-acquainted with accidents. The busy streets and traffic make it impossible to avoid accidents. Therefore, residents should fully grasp the complexities that may arise when claiming insurance for their injuries and losses.
In Philadelphia, where the situation of the victims is perceived as the first priority of state concern, the help of Philadelphia personal injury lawyers will be of great use. These legal professionals possess a remarkable depth of knowledge in recognition of the schemes insurance companies use to block or underestimate legitimate claims. Therefore, they assist their clients with the legal savviness and representation they need to receive an equitable settlement.
Here are five common reasons why an insurance company may deny your claim in Philadelphia:
1. Challenging Liability
Claim denial in Philadelphia is high because of the difficulty in identifying fault. Insurance companies may place emphasis on the fact that their insured is not liable for the accident and thus may get away with offering compensation to the affected party. There are also some crucial evidentiary considerations to be made.
2. Disputed Injury Severity
Insurers might also reject claims by challenging the extent or severity of the injuries of the policyholder. One of the tactics that the liable party may use is to claim that the injuries sustained are not as serious as described. This is done to assert that the pre-existing conditions were the main cause of the victim's pain, and so on.
In these cases, having medical records can be crucial in recovering the losses incurred.
3. Policy Exclusions and Limitations
In many cases, the policies by which insurers protect their interests may turn out to have exclusions and limitations.
Consider an instance where the applicant was involved in illegal activity when the accident occurred or operated the car for a business uncovered by the policy during the time of the accident. The insurance company will not reimburse the claim in such situations. A full understanding of the insurance policy wording is required in order to avoid being trapped in such situations by the insurance company.
4. Missed Deadlines and Notification Requirements
Claim denial may also be hinged on the failure of the policyholder or victim to fulfill a certain conduct prescribed by the policy.
Normally, there is a specific period of time indicated within the provision that is dedicated to the accident or incident being reported to the insurer. If the victim misses this time limit, the insurance company may reject it on the basis of non-compliance.
Due diligence in informing the insurance company in a timely and accurate manner is as important as giving them the opportunity to verify the actual terms of the insurance contract.
5. Bad faith practices
In some cases, the insurance company may, of course, engage in bad faith practices. These practices include
• Refusing the claim for unfair reasons
• Unnecessary delay in processing claims
They, in fact, go ahead and give the insured person a chance to seek more claims, having the power to even invalidate the policy.
Insurance companies go to any extent to deny or delay victims the compensation they deserve. It is up to the victims to seek the help of an expert personal injury lawyer to counter these tactics.
In addition to countering the tricks of the insurance company, the lawyer will also help the victim through all stages of the personal injury case. They will provide the assistance required to make sure victims get fair compensation for the losses they have incurred.
