When you have to file a claim on your car insurance policy, there are certain steps you must take—including deal with a claims adjuster.
A claims adjuster is someone from your insurance agency that will investigate your claim and calculate how much compensation you will receive. This amount is primarily based on the damages that occur, fault and your active auto insurance policy. For example, say you are involved in an accident where the other person is at fault. The claims adjuster will evaluate the damages to your vehicle and compare them with how much collision coverage you have on your vehicle. If the damages cost $4,000 to repair and your collision coverage covers up to $10,000, you will likely be covered.
Can a Claims Adjuster Deny an Auto Insurance Claim?
There are instances where you can be denied an auto insurance claim. Although rare, this does occur although it can be contested. Auto insurance claims may be denied if:
- The damages are not covered by your policy
- You fail to file a claim in time
- Your recounting of the event is inconsistent
- You don’t meet your deductible
- The accident occurs while you are committing a crime
- An uncovered driver was operating the vehicle
Can You Disagree with a Claims Adjuster?
What some drivers don’t know is that claims are negotiable. If a claims adjuster offers you a deal for compensation, you have the option to try and negotiate your claim, such as if you believe that you deserve more compensation.
This also applies if your claim is denied. If your auto insurance claim is denied by a claims adjuster, you can contact your insurance provider to discuss or dispute their decision. It is best to remain polite and calm when interacting with your insurer and claims adjuster. In many cases, they are willing to hear you and work with you to arrive at a settlement.
Before you file a claim, you should have damages evaluated to calculate how much damage you have suffered. This can give you a better understanding of how much compensation you need.
Even if you believe that your offer is reasonable, it may be in your best interest to ask for better options or another review. No matter what happens after an accident, be sure to speak with your insurance agent immediately and file a claim as soon as possible.