How to Fight Insurance Company Delay Tactics After a Providence Car Crash

After a car accident in Providence, dealing with the physical pain and recovery is just one part of the struggle. The other? Facing an insurance company that’s dragging its feet. We’ve seen far too many cases where injured people are left waiting—sometimes for months—because insurers delay, stall, or make the process harder than it needs to be.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Rhode Island and the insurer is stalling, here’s what you need to know to protect yourself and your case.

Why Insurance Companies Delay Claims

Insurance companies are in business to make a profit, and one way they protect that profit is by slowing things down. We’ve seen it happen all across Rhode Island: people injured in a car accident are left waiting while insurers find new ways to stall the process.

Here’s why they do it:

• They earn interest on the money that should’ve already gone to you.
• They count on financial pressure forcing you to settle for less than your injury claim is worth.
• They hope delays will cause you to miss a filing deadline, hurting your chances of recovering anything.
• They’re betting you’ll get tired of the back-and-forth and walk away altogether.

For someone already dealing with the pain, stress, and cost of a serious collision, these delay tactics just add insult to injury. And unfortunately, this kind of behavior is common throughout Rhode Island, especially when there’s no legal team pushing back.

Delay Tactics We See from Insurance Companies in Providence — And How to Push Back

When you’re injured in a Providence car crash, dealing with your recovery should be the priority, not battling with an insurance company. But we know how these games are played. Here are some of the most common delay tactics we’ve seen insurers use in Rhode Island, along with what you can do to push back:

1. Requesting Unnecessary Documentation

The Tactic: Adjusters ask for excessive paperwork—sometimes even the same documents multiple times—or they request irrelevant details that have nothing to do with your injury claim.

How to Fight It: Keep track of everything you send. Jot down dates, who received what, and how it was sent. For important documents, use certified mail. If they ask again for something you’ve already submitted, point them straight to the date you sent it.

2. Going Silent

The Tactic: Sometimes, insurers just stop responding. It’s a pressure move—they’re hoping you’ll get frustrated enough to accept a lowball settlement or give up entirely.

How to Fight It: Log every phone call, email, and voicemail. After a call, follow up with an email recap. And don’t be afraid to remind them that Rhode Island’s Unfair Claims Practices Act requires insurers to communicate and respond in a timely manner.

3. Downplaying Your Injuries

The Tactic: A classic move—claiming your injuries aren’t that serious or blaming pre-existing conditions.

How to Fight It: Get medical treatment right away after your car accident and follow through with every recommendation. Make sure your providers document everything and connect your injuries clearly to the crash.

4. Shifting the Blame

The Tactic: Even when the facts are clear, adjusters may try to say you were at fault—or at least partly responsible.

How to Fight It: Gather as much evidence from the accident scene as you can. Photos, the police report, witness info—all of it helps. And remember, under Rhode Island’s pure comparative negligence law, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault.

Protections for Car Accident Victims Under Rhode Island Law

Here in Rhode Island, you’re not without protection when an insurance company acts in bad faith. The Unfair Claims Practices Act lays out clear rules insurers must follow—and when they don’t, there can be consequences.

Under this law, insurers may face penalties for:

• Ignoring or delaying claim acknowledgments
• Failing to investigate claims properly
• Refusing to pay without a fair review
• Not explaining why a claim was denied
• Dragging their feet on offering fair, timely settlements

And there’s more. Recent changes to Rhode Island law also give added protection to car accident victims trying to get their vehicles repaired. You now have the right to:

• Choose your own repair shop, not one forced on you by the insurer
• Expect repairs to follow manufacturer-recommended procedures, not shortcuts that cut costs at your expense

These protections matter—especially when insurance companies try to cut corners or delay your recovery. If you’re being treated unfairly, you may have legal grounds to act.

How to Push Back Against Insurance Delays in Your Rhode Island Car Accident Case

If you’re stuck waiting while an insurance company drags out your claim, you don’t have to just sit there. There are steps you can take right now to protect your case and keep things moving.

Document Everything

The more proof you have, the harder it is for an insurer to ignore your claim. From the moment the collision happens, start building your file:

• Take photos of the accident scene, all vehicles involved, and any visible injuries
• Get contact information from witnesses
• Request a copy of the police report
• Keep every medical bill and treatment record
• Track missed work days and lost income
• Log every interaction with the insurance company—dates, names, and summaries

Set Clear Expectations

Don’t let your claim fall through the cracks:

• When you submit documents, ask when you can expect a response
• If that date passes, follow up right away
• Keep your own schedule of status checks, and log each attempt to reach them

Know the Clock Is Ticking

In Rhode Island, the statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. But waiting too long can weaken your case—evidence can disappear, and memories fade. If the insurer is dragging its feet, acting early can preserve your leverage.

Know When to Bring in a Lawyer

There’s a point when handling a claim on your own just doesn’t cut it. Consider hiring a personal injury attorney in Providence if:

• You suffered serious injuries or permanent disability
• You’ve missed significant time from work
• The insurance company is disputing liability or lowballing your settlement
• You suspect bad faith tactics or unreasonable delays

The truth is, insurance companies respond differently when they know you have a legal team behind you. A skilled attorney can properly value your claim, recognize delay tactics from day one, and step in when negotiation stalls—so you don’t lose out on the compensation you deserve.

When the Insurance Company Won’t Move—What You Can Do

It’s frustrating—waiting on an insurance company after a car accident in Providence while bills pile up and no answers come. We hear this all the time. The insurer keeps stalling, and you’re stuck wondering what’s next. Meanwhile, they’ve handled thousands of claims like yours. For most people, this is their first. That imbalance? It’s real.

But there are ways to take control.

• Put your request in writing. Not a casual email—send a formal letter asking for a claim update. Make it clear you expect a response, and keep a copy for your records.
• Remind them of the law. Rhode Island’s Unfair Claims Practices Act is on your side. It requires insurance companies to respond and treat claimants fairly. Don’t be shy about referencing it.
• Still no progress? File a complaint. The Rhode Island Insurance Division oversees these companies for a reason. If delays drag on, get them involved.
• Loop in a lawyer. A personal injury attorney who’s dealt with these tactics before can take over the back-and-forth. That alone often changes how the insurance company behaves.

You shouldn’t have to chase down what’s already owed to you. And you don’t have to deal with the runaround by yourself.

Moving Forward After a Providence Car Accident

At Louis W. Grande Injury Lawyer, we’ve spent more than 30 years standing up for car accident victims in Providence, Rhode Island. We’ve seen every delay tactic insurance companies use—and we know exactly how to push back.

If you’re dealing with insurance delays, denied claims, or settlement offers that don’t even come close to covering your losses, we may be able to help. Our Providence personal injury lawyers will review your case, walk you through your legal options, and handle every conversation with the insurance company, so you don’t have to.

Your consultation is free, and you won’t pay anything unless we win your injury case. Let’s fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.