Denied Insurance Claim Resolution
Summary
If your car insurance claim is denied despite having full coverage, you can file a complaint with the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Provide all relevant documents and communication records. You can also request compensation for stress and anxiety, supported by testimonies from family and friends. Consult a lawyer for further guidance.Full Conversation
The situation, is that my previous car insurance company "Safeco", doesn't want to cover my car damages, but i had a full coverage
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, ****. In Washington, if you believe your insurance company is unjustly denying your claim, you can file a complaint with the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Do you have evidence of your full coverage policy with Safeco?
yes, I have an aggreement
Great, ****. You can present this agreement as evidence. Here's what you should do:
*. Contact Safeco again to clarify.
*. If no resolution, file a complaint with the [Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner](https://www.insurance.wa.gov/file-complaint-or-check-your-complaint-status).
*. Keep all correspondence for records.
*. Contact Safeco again to clarify.
*. If no resolution, file a complaint with the [Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner](https://www.insurance.wa.gov/file-complaint-or-check-your-complaint-status).
*. Keep all correspondence for records.
which option should I choose: What do you want to file a complaint about?
Claim handling issues (denials, delays, unsatisfactory settlement offers)
If you have a problem with claim handling issues, OIC can require the company to explain its actions and make sure it followed Washington state laws and your policy. Learn more about the complaint process.
We are currently experiencing a backlog in complaint cases. We plan on reviewing your case within * business days of submitting your complaint. This may take longer depending on circumstances. Thank you for your patience.
Insurance company conduct (underwriting, policyholder services, marketing sales)
Medical surprise or balance billing
Conduct of an insurance agent or other insurance licensee
Someone is trying to cheat an insurance company
Based on your situation, ****, you should choose "Claim handling issues (denials, delays, unsatisfactory settlement offers)". This option is most relevant as it addresses issues with claim denials, which is what you're experiencing with Safeco.
what should I say here: Tell us about the problem
You can write: "I had a full coverage policy with Safeco. After my car was damaged, they refused to cover the costs despite my policy. I have evidence of my full coverage and wish to file a complaint against their claim denial."
should I provide more information, that insurance neglected to proceed the claims, I have been trying to contact them regarding coverage, and submitted the statement for coverage , but they closed the claim, made my parents at fault of the accident, which never happend, and didn't want to procceed the claim with overall for a year. I wasn;t able to contact any agents, and they just ignored me completely, and stoped responding to my messagges
Yes, ****, you should include all those details. It's crucial to provide as much information as possible, so the Office of the Insurance Commissioner fully understands your situation. Include dates and any evidence you have of their neglect.
could you provide an example how I should word it?
Certainly, ****. You could write: "Safeco has neglected to process my claim for over a year, despite my attempts to contact them. They incorrectly assigned fault to my parents for an accident that never occurred, and closed the claim without proper investigation. Despite submitting necessary documents and statements, there was no action. Their lack of response and complete disregard for my messages has left me without a resolution. I have evidence of all interactions and their neglect."
what should I provide here: What do you want the company to do?
In the "What do you want the company to do?" section, you should clearly state your desired resolution. This could include requests like "I want the company to honor my full coverage policy and cover the car damages" or "I want a formal apology and assurance of better service in the future."
I want them, to fully cover my car damage and compansate for my time and for causing stress and anxiety
That's a valid request. When filing your complaint, include:
- A detailed description of the incident
- The financial loss you've incurred
- How it has affected you mentally and physically
- The resolution you're seeking: full coverage of car damage, compensation for time wasted, and stress and anxiety caused.
- A detailed description of the incident
- The financial loss you've incurred
- How it has affected you mentally and physically
- The resolution you're seeking: full coverage of car damage, compensation for time wasted, and stress and anxiety caused.
would the request valuable for compasating the stress and anxiety even if I don't have a medical records regarding that?
Yes, you can request compensation for stress and anxiety. However, without medical records, it may be difficult to prove the extent of your emotional distress. It's important to provide as much evidence as possible to support your claim.
will my family and friends words be valid for this case?
Yes, statements or testimonies from family and friends can support your claim of stress and anxiety. However, insurance companies often require more substantial evidence. It's advisable to consult with a lawyer for further guidance.
could you provide an example how I should word the request of what company should do
Certainly, here's an example of how you might word your request:
"I request Safeco to honor my full coverage policy by fully covering the damages to my car. Additionally, I seek compensation for the time, stress, and anxiety caused by this issue. I have testimonies from family and friends to support my emotional distress claim. I hope for a swift resolution to this matter."
"I request Safeco to honor my full coverage policy by fully covering the damages to my car. Additionally, I seek compensation for the time, stress, and anxiety caused by this issue. I have testimonies from family and friends to support my emotional distress claim. I hope for a swift resolution to this matter."
what should I do if i have contacted several adjusters and agents?
If you've contacted several adjusters and agents but the issue remains unresolved, you may escalate your complaint. In Washington State, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner online or by mail. Include all relevant documents and communication records.