Filing a claim with an insurance company for losses you have seems like it should be a straightforward process. Yet, it is not uncommon for insurance companies to take a long time to make decisions on whether to pay out such claims. Why do car insurance companies delay paying valid claims? There are plenty of potential reasons why this can happen, but they often want to pay less. A Butte car accident lawyer can assist in dealing with insurance companies after a crash.
They Want You to Give Up
The most common reason car insurance companies delay paying out compensation is that they want to frustrate you enough that you give up and agree to less than you are owed. The longer it takes to pay out, the more frustrated victims become, especially when you need to pay medical bills, maintain your mortgage or rent payments, and have been out of work. You get frustrated and settle for less.
They Want You To Think Your Claim Is Worth Less
Insurance companies want to reduce how much compensation they pay, and by delaying the process, they can make you question whether your case is actually worth what you requested. Many victims do not know the extent to which their coverage should pay for their losses. Insurance companies are counting on that.
Filing a car insurance claim often includes more than just your medical bills. You may be compensated for other losses, such as pain, suffering, and disfigurement. However, the insurance company may not provide you with insight into this. It is your job to know what your case is worth, or hire a car accident lawyer to help you navigate that process with clarity.
Push You to Run Out of Lawsuit Time
Under Montana law, you have three years from the date of the accident to take legal action in a court of law. In most cases, settling a claim should not take anywhere near that amount of time. That means you cannot file a lawsuit against the at-fault party to require payment.
In a severe accident case where the injuries are substantial, insurance companies may push as far as they can. By delaying the process, they may push you beyond that mark, making it impossible for you to file a lawsuit against the insurance company for the losses you incurred. If your case is approaching this deadline, it is critical that you seek legal support immediately to ensure that you do not run out of time to claim the money rightfully owed to you.
Your attorney will not let them take that long, though. If they are stalling for this reason, your car accident lawyer will file a lawsuit, making it necessary for the insurance company to take action. In doing so, they have to decide if they want to pay out what you are asking or face the costly process of going to court. Many will settle sooner.
An Attorney Can Help You Hold Them Accountable
The insurance company takes notice when you hire a lawyer to help you navigate your rights in an accident case. They know that delays that are not justifiable can be considered bad faith, which is illegal. If you suspect the insurance company is putting you at risk unfairly, call a car accident lawyer to make sure they pay you fairly.