Getting into any car accident is a frustrating and unsettling experience. Now imagine your stress when the insurance adjuster disputes parts of your claim, delaying payments that affect your health, vehicle, and livelihood.
Fighting with insurance after an accident that wasn’t your fault isn’t fair.
We get it – it’s easy to vilify the heartless claims adjuster standing between you and the compensation you are entitled to. As an injured policyholder, you deserve fair treatment and timely compensation. And while a dispute can feel very personal, most follow common patterns regarding:
- Medical payments coverage
- The value of your vehicle
- The injury claim evaluation process
Rather than escalate disputes, this article will highlight constructive ways injured policyholders like you can move the process forward, even when you feel unfairly treated.
Communicate Respectfully With Your Adjuster
Though you may feel angry, avoid venting directly at your adjuster. Document your situation and needs clearly and politely instead.
Ask open-ended questions to understand the adjuster’s process and constraints, clarify why they can’t yet approve portions of your claim, and identify what additional documents the adjuster may need.
Perhaps the vehicle valuation excludes certain details or the injury settlement relies on an independent medical exam. Maybe they require specific forms from your doctors supporting the treatment plan.
Show that you earnestly want to move the process forward. That candor and empathy from an injured policyholder can be rare for adjusters who may be overwhelmed with angry calls. It will encourage them to review your claim more fairly so everyone can put this case behind them.
Gather Supporting Documentation
If disputes persist, now is the time to gather ammunition.
- For vehicle valuation disputes, compile specific comparable vehicle listings in your area to support your higher asking price. Press the adjuster about which valuation report they referenced so you can double-check the accuracy.
- For medical claims, provide written statements from all of your treating physicians outlining the diagnosis, causal link to the accident, treatment plan with costs, and prognosis. These should indicate if/when maximum medical improvement occurs.
Judges later scrutinize this evidence if disputes proceed to litigation, so the stronger you make your case to the adjuster now, the more leverage you gain.
Consult Your State Insurance Department
If claim disputes create financial hardship dragging on for months, consider filing a complaint with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation’s Insurance Division. Call their consumer hotline or submit disputes through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ online complaint center.
Explain in detail the denied payments, discrepancies with the adjuster’s position, and financial hardship it imposes, like being unable to work or losing your home. The Department employs mediators to facilitate communication between consumers and insurers and issues fines against bad faith practices.
Hire an Attorney Who Can Argue the Facts Objectively
Still unable to agree despite gathering documents and involving regulators? Then an experienced personal injury attorney can formally dispute the insurer’s position.
- During a free case evaluation, an attorney can identify areas of clear liability and use legal authority to pressure insurers seeking to avoid legitimate payments.
- An initial letter highlighting flaws in the denial grounds or low settlement offer carries significant weight since formal legal action is implied if no reasonable resolution occurs.
Skilled injury lawyers also understand common insurance company delay tactics, questionable medical exam procedures, and attempts to gather protected health data beyond accident injuries. They fight to shield your broader medical privacy.
An attorney’s meticulous review of the medical evidence, crash forensics, and applicability of insurance statutes can strengthen your case considerably. If you have a sound basis in law and evidence for greater compensation, hiring legal advocates evens the playing field against deep-pocketed insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do if my car insurance adjuster offers me less than my vehicle is worth?
If the car insurance adjuster’s valuation seems too low in Rhode Island, gather documentation such as comparable vehicle listings and dealership invoices to support a higher amount. Send this to the adjuster along with a polite letter requesting they re-evaluate their initial offer. If you still disagree after their response, you may file a complaint with Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation to dispute it.
My injury claim was denied but I have doctor’s letters confirming the accident caused my injuries. What recourse do I have?
If your injury claim in Rhode Island has been denied even though you have medical evidence supporting your case, you have options. First, contact the RI Department of Business Regulation to request they mediate the dispute between you and the insurance company using your doctor’s letters. If they are still unwilling to approve the claim, your next step should be to consult a personal injury attorney who can formally dispute the insurer’s denial.
How long does the car insurance company have to settle my Rhode Island claim before legal action?
In Rhode Island, insurance companies have 60 days to settle a claim after it is filed. The claim must be acknowledged within 15 days, and the insurance company has another 15 days to make a decision. Lastly, settlement payments need to be made within 30 days. If you feel like the insurance company has violated your rights or is dragging out the claim timeline intentionally, the best thing you can do is contact a personal injury lawyer.
Conclusion – There Are Always Constructive Paths Forward
No accident victim should have to fight unreasonably for fair medical care or property reimbursements. Seek constructive resolutions, but know your options if disputes persist.
Communicate respectfully, document your claim thoroughly, get regulatory assistance to bring transparency, and consult legal help where necessary to argue the facts. With determination and the right allies, you can move forward in obtaining a fair settlement.
Author Bio
Louis W. Grande is a Providence personal injury lawyer who founded his Rhode Island law firm of the same name in 2010. With more than 32 years of experience practicing law, he has successfully represented clients in a wide range of legal matters, including car accidents, premise liability, dog bites, medical malpractice, product liability, and other personal injury actions.
Louis received his Juris Doctor from the Hamline University School of Law and is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including being awarded Lifetime Achievement in 2017 by America’s Top 100 Attorneys and being named among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers in 2017.