Insurance Education

Why was my claim denied?

On occasion, insurance claims do get denied. Sometimes it is a clerical mistake. Humans make mistakes. Sometimes it is a misunderstanding. Perhaps the claim is confusing, or phrased poorly. And sometimes claims are denied for legitimate reasons. So just because your claim is denied, doesn’t mean that’s the end of the road. All denied claims should be followed up. Understanding why your insurance claim was denied will enable you to determine if you have reason to dispute the decision. There are several reasons why an insurance company may deny a claim, and the following are some common examples:

  • The claim falls under coverage that you do not have. For example, you only have liability insurance and no collision coverage. But you submit a collision claim.
  • You made an Uninsured Motorist Claim under your policy and it turns out the other party to the accident was insured.
  • Your coverage has lapsed because you didn’t pay your premiums in time.
  • The amount of damage exceeds the limits of your policy. For example, you are claiming $15,000 in damages, but your policy only allows for $10,000.
  • You bought a new car, but didn’t contact the insurance company to add it to the policy within the specified time given in the policy.

If you still think your insurance claim was denied incorrectly after reviewing your policy, there are some steps you may take to try to appeal a denied insurance claim. You have certain rights under your policy and under state law. Most insurance companies have a legal obligation to respond to appeals, so if you think your claim has been wrongfully denied it is worth appealing.

If you have a question about a claim contact your independent Provident Insurance agent. We serve Plainfield, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville and the entire central Indiana area. Stop in one of our convenient locations to discuss your insurance needs today.