5 Mistakes leading to Rejection of Car Insurance Claim

A mistake in the car insurance claim can get your claim thrown out and the settlement denied. Also, a carelessly filed claim can lead to compensation lower than expected. Some car owners don’t get anything because they mishandled the claim process.

Based on our experience in the UAE insurance market, we have put together possible mistakes’ car owners commit when filing claims so that doesn’t have to be you again. Here’s are ways to avoid common mistakes when filing motor insurance claims. 

Filing an unnecessary claim 

If a collision resulted in only minor damages to your vehicle, you could skip filing a claim. Only because the repair cost is less than your deductible amount, your claim will be rejected, and you won’t be paid anything. Even if your repair cost is slightly higher than your deductible, it’s not worth it as you’ll lose out on the No Claims Bonus (NCB) at the time of policy renewal. It’s in best interest to reserve your insurance for bigger problems. 

Waiting too long or filing an incomplete claim 

When it comes to motor insurance claims, don’t wait too long to file and don’t file an incomplete claim. If your claim doesn’t reveal the full picture and isn’t filed within the deadline mentioned in your policy, it can be nullified.

Saying you’re okay when you aren’t 

Sometimes not all injuries are evident (such as a blood clot or a nerve tear). In the aftermath of an accident though you may treat minor bruises by yourself, failure to see a doctor is a possible error.  Symptoms of headache or breathlessness may show up days after the incident, and your health can deteriorate each passing day. As a matter of concern, it’s your responsibility to get the injuries of you or other passengers examined by a medical expert and obtain  medical records. This serves as evidence of the extent of injuries and gives your claim the credibility it needs. 

However, not seeking timely medical attention can render your car insurance claim to be undervalued or invalidated, and you’ll face a lot of problems with your lawsuit by adjusting your statements later. 

Failing to collect sufficient proof 

Documenting vehicle damages before it’s moved from the accident site plays a big part in winning insurance claims. Having copious evidence in the form of photos or videos mean the difference between having your claim paid or denied. Claims that lack adequate records are not able to be processed by insurance companies. The more proof you provide, the better you support your claim.

Misrepresentation or manipulating facts 

Honesty is the best policy during the claim process. Though it might cross your mind to evade being at fault, lying about the situation will only further complicate your case. Traffic surveillance cameras and eyewitnesses can prove you wrong and lying can be considered an offense. Possible punishments range from fines to jail terms. Hence, it’s important to speak the truth so that your claim isn’t void later due to manipulation of facts.  

Also revealing excessive information or exaggerations can misguide adjustors away from facts of the crash. Such misrepresentation will give adjustors reasons to revoke your claim. 

When getting claims accepted, it’s not uncommon to find yourself up against a wall with the insurance company. Our insurance advisors in UAE can help you after you discuss your specific claim at length. Contact us for further help.