Insurance coverage helps to protect you against financial losses when the unexpected happens. If you suffer personal injuries due to a motor vehicle crash, a slip or fall, or any other type of accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. However, people often forget that insurers are for-profit businesses and are shocked when these companies deny claims.
Unfortunately, denials, delays, and underpayments are far more common than most people realize.
So, what can you do when an insurance company refuses to pay? At Washington Injury Law, we regularly help clients who feel blindsided by claim denials. Whether your case involves an auto accident or another type of personal injury, our Seattle personal injury attorney explains how to protect your rights and get the total amount you are owed.
Common Reasons Insurance Refuses To Pay Claims
Insurance companies are not non-profits. According to the Insurance Information Institute, they make billions of dollars each year. One of the ways they protect their profits is by limiting payouts, even when the claim is legitimate.
Many people don’t realize how common it is to have a valid claim denied or disputed. Common reasons insurers reject Seattle personal injury claims include:
- Alleged failure to report the accident or injury as required by law or within policy guidelines.
- Disputes over liability or who was at fault.
- Claims that your injuries are unrelated to the incident.
- Accusations of policy violations or misrepresentation.
- Missing documentation or “insufficient evidence”.
- Allegations of fraud or exaggeration.
Sometimes, insurers will approve a claim but offer a lowball settlement that doesn’t come close to covering your actual losses. Whether your claim was denied outright or delayed indefinitely, don’t assume the company is acting in good faith.
Many claimants give up too soon, and insurers count on that.
What Can You Do When an Insurance Company Refuses To Pay
If your insurance company refuses to pay a claim, don’t panic, but do take action. Washington State provides protections for policyholders and claimants, and there are concrete steps you can take to challenge a denial or delay. The key is to stay organized, calm, and persistent. We recommend taking these steps:
- Request a written explanation: When insurance refuses to pay a claim, they are required to give you a reason. Ask for it in writing and see if it aligns with policy terms.
- Gather all documentation: Collect your original policy, claim submission, correspondence with the insurer, medical records, repair estimates, and any photos or witness statements.
- Check deadlines. Many policies have specific deadlines for filing appeals. Missing these can weaken your position, so act quickly.
- Avoid giving recorded statements. If you’re being asked for a statement, get legal help first, especially if fault or injury is in dispute.
- Consider legal help. Insurance companies take you more seriously when you have an experienced lawyer involved.
Too often, claimants unknowingly make mistakes during this process, like signing away their rights or accepting unfair settlements out of desperation. Our experienced Seattle personal injury attorney provides the professional legal representation needed to protect you from that.
Insurance Refuses To Pay Claim: When the Denial Crosses Into Bad Faith Conduct
While not every claim denial is unlawful, some insurance companies engage in bad faith, refusing to honor your policy without a valid reason. Washington State holds insurers to a “duty of good faith and fair dealing.” If they violate that duty, you may have grounds for a bad-faith lawsuit.
Under RCW 48.30.015, Washington policyholders can sue for unfair claim settlement practices, including:
- Not conducting a reasonable investigation before denying an injury claim.
- Misrepresenting policy provisions or coverage.
- Unjustifiably delaying the resolution of a valid claim.
- Offering settlements far below what’s reasonable.
- Denying coverage without explaining why.
- Forcing policyholders to file lawsuits to recover.
Signs of bad faith insurance tactics include repeatedly asking for the same documents, pressuring you to accept low settlements, ignoring calls or delaying communication, and refusing to provide explanations in writing.
When Seattle accidents happen and insurers act in bad faith, legal action may not only help you recover your original claim but could also lead to punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
Legal Options: What Can You Do When an Insurance Company Refuses to Pay?
According to the Washington State Department of Health, nearly 150 people suffer accidental injuries in King County each year. Motor vehicle crashes, slips and falls, and sports or recreational injuries are among the most common causes.
If you or someone you love is hurt, what can you do to make the insurer pay? The answer typically involves getting legal support. Our experienced Seattle personal injury attorney can cut through the red tape and get insurers to pay attention.
Ways we can help include:
- Review your insurance policy and denial letters.
- Challenge the insurer’s interpretation of the claim.
- Negotiate directly with them to get the maximum settlement.
- Collect supporting evidence from doctors or accident experts.
- File complaints with the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC).
- Take legal action in state or federal court, if necessary.
We understand how frustrating it is to deal with a system that seems designed to exhaust you.
That’s why we approach every case with persistence, clarity, and a deep knowledge of Washington insurance law.
You Don’t Have to Fight the Insurance Company Alone. Contact Our Experienced Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Today.
It’s hard enough dealing with the aftermath of accidental injuries in Seattle. Having to fight your insurance company at the same time only adds stress. But you don’t have to take a denial at face value, and you don’t have to fight them alone.
If you are injured or an insurance company refuses to pay your claim, reach out to Washington Injury Law today. We’ve helped countless clients throughout Seattle and the surrounding area hold insurance companies accountable and recover what they’re owed. Call or contact our office today to schedule a consultation with our experienced Seattle personal injury attorney.