Why do car insurance companies deny claims?

It may come as a surprise to some of our readers, but your car insurance company does not grant every claim that could, potentially, be filed. Indeed, all car insurance companies have exclusions in their policies, and some of these potential exclusions may not, necessarily, be specified in their contracts.

Unapproved uses

Some insurance companies attempt to deny car accident coverage that result from various unapproved uses. These could include using your car for commercial purposes, like doing tasks for your boss or using your car in the “gig economy.” Other unapproved uses could be racing, stunt driving or even using your car for entertainment purposes.

Natural disasters

Many non-commercial Washington policies have natural disaster exclusions. Of course, these exclusions could kick in for tornadoes and hurricanes, but they could also kick in for floods or extreme wind evens.

Insurance versus warranties

Another common reason for denial is breakdowns and normal wear on Seattle, Washington, cars.

An auto warranty might cover breakdowns and mechanical failures, but insurance typically covers only for external impacts. However, it isn’t always easy to tell the difference, as sometimes undercarriage impacts can look like mechanical breakdowns. Indeed, manufacturer warranty technicians and car insurance mechanics may disagree about the cause of a vehicle’s problems.

Key understanding

A key piece of information for our readers is that, if you are going to engage in some activity outside of normal use of your vehicle, call your insurance company. There are often insurance riders that will cover you for various activities, like ridesharing, commercial uses, etc. But, just because your car insurance company denied your car accident claim does not mean you do not have recourse. If you receive an insurance denial, contact an attorney.

Matthew D. Dubin

Matt Dubin has spent more than 20 years honing his skills as one of the top personal injury lawyers in the State of Washington. In his career, Matt has focused on protecting consumers from dangerous household products, medical mistakes, roadway accidents, and many other causes of injury. Matt has recovered nearly $20 million on behalf of his clients.

Education

• University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington – J.D.
• Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut – B.A.

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