It is assumed that insurance should be a guarantee that we will receive compensation for losses suffered in the face of certain unfortunate events in life: a car or work accident, a fire in our home, the loss of a loved one, among others. It is not a secret that we usually acquire insurance, coverage and policies in order to be prepared for the future and protect our families. But, unfortunately, when it comes to dealing with insurance companies things don’t always happen as promised, and therefore we plan and expect them to happen.
It is important to remember that an insurance policy is a legal contract between a person and an insurance company. The company is responsible for compensating the insured in cases of damage, injury or death. That is, the insurer must comply with its share of the deal. So when we file a claim with an insurance company, we expect the company to act in good faith and enforce our claim.
However, insurance disputes often occur when an insurance company rejects a claim that is apparently valid, often without a legitimate reason or without explanation. And, in many cases, they only investigate a claim if the insured initiates legal action. Therefore, when this occurs, it is necessary to take the case to the authorities with the help of a lawyer.
Types of most common insurance disputes:
Car insurance: After a car accident, one of the first things we should do is contact our insurer to start the claim. Car insurance should cover expenses for damages, etc.
Work accident insurance: Almost all workers are covered by workers compensation or compensation. Workers’ compensation is insurance paid by the employer that covers financial benefits and / or medical treatment for employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work.
Life insurance: It is insurance that should compensate the person’s family in case of death.
Home insurance: This type of policy protects the home against damage from fire, earthquakes, hurricanes and other unforeseen events. Insurance varies in terms of the events they cover depending on each company.
Why do they reject my claim?
Unfortunately, insurance companies often manipulate the language of their contracts to minimize or deny valid claims. These companies tend to protect their profits by avoiding having to pay the insured. Insurance companies hold as valid several reasons to reject a claim, such as: the insured failed to pay their policy premiums on time, which caused the coverage to expire; that what happened to the insured is not covered by insurance, among other excuses.
Remember: Keep in mind that almost all claims or claims made before the authorities have a deadline and time limit to be presented. In another post we explain better on the subject of what is known as Term of Expiration.
Some tips to keep in mind
As it happens to us when we look for a lawyer for some legal problem, having to look for the right insurance company is not a simple task either. It is key that we know who we are going to trust our future and the well-being of our family. To do this, you can follow any of these tips:
- Acquire insurance policies from well-known companies with a long history in the business.
- Research the different insurers on the Internet, news and reports.
- Ask your acquaintances to recommend a trusted company.
Do not stay with any doubt. The insurance agent will try to sell you the yes or yes policy, so ask him about all the details of the insurance policy: what are the procedures for making the claim, what exceptions and types of coverage the insurance has and other relevant matters.
- Read the full contract, clauses and even the fine print.
- Keep the contract carefully, keep email exchanges with the company, notes and payment invoices.
