What happens if I disagree with American Family’s decision on my car insurance claim?

How can I cancel my car insurance policy with American Family Insurance?

Being in a car accident or finding that your vehicle has been damaged in any way is a very stressful experience. To make matters worse, you recently learned that American Family Insurance denied your claim.

This situation probably has you wondering, “What happens if I disagree with American Family’s decision on my car insurance claim?” Keep reading to learn more about handling this situation and why claims can be denied, including not having the correct car insurance requirements in place.

What to Do When You Disagree With American Family’s Decision on Your Car Insurance Claim

Filing a claim for damages does not automatically mean your insurance company will decide in your favor. Fortunately, you have options if you disagree with American Family’s decision on your car insurance claim.

Regardless of whether the company denied the total claim amount or said it would pay out a much smaller amount than you were expecting, you have the legal right to appeal this decision.

Take These Steps When You Disagree With American Family’s Decision on Your Car Insurance Claim

Before you start appealing the claim with American Family Insurance, it is important to find out as much as possible about why the company denied your claim. Auto insurance companies typically send a letter via snail mail that will include why the company denied a claim.

Read more: What should I do if my car insurance claim is denied?

If you didn’t receive a letter or the denials are not made clear, you can call your insurance agent, if you have one, to get the information. Next, collect as much evidence as you can to support your case. This can include:

• Eyewitness accounts
• Police reports
• Photographs of the accident scene and damage
• Medical reports, if applicable

Once you have your supporting documents, write an appeal letter that clearly explains why you do not agree with American Family’s decision on your car insurance claim. Provide as many details as you can in the letter.

Read more: What documentation do I need to file a car insurance claim with American Family?

You might also research American Family Insurance reviews to see if other people had similar issues with denied claims and, if so, what they included in their letter of appeal.

Read more:

• How can I cancel my car insurance policy with American Family Insurance?
• What happens if I disagree with the insurance company’s decision on my claim?
• What to do if a life insurance claim is denied?

Reasons Why American Family Would Deny a Car Insurance Claim

There are many reasons why American Family Insurance will deny a car insurance claim. For example, you might not have the necessary coverage on your policy to pay for the damages.

In addition, if your vehicle is old and you no longer have collision or comprehensive car insurance on your policy, you will need to cover the costs to repair your vehicle if the accident was your fault.

Another reason American Family could deny your claim is if an unauthorized driver was using your vehicle at the time of the accident.

For instance, if your best friend was borrowing your car to get to work and ran into a fire hydrant, and if the person is not listed on your policy as an allowed driver, American Family will probably deny the claim.

An Attorney Can Also Help if You Disagree With American Family’s Decision on Your Car Insurance Claim

If a large amount of money is at stake, or you are certain you have full coverage car insurance, but the insurance company is saying otherwise, you can always consult an attorney specializing in denied claims.

You can Google attorneys in your area who can assist you, or speak with friends and family members who have been in a similar situation for recommendations.

Read more: How long does it take for American Family to process a car insurance claim?

Case Studies: Disagreeing With American Family’s Decision on Car Insurance Claims

Case Study 1: Denial Due to Insufficient Coverage

John was involved in a car accident and filed a claim with American Family Insurance. However, his claim was denied because his policy did not have the necessary coverage to pay for the damages.

Despite having liability coverage, John did not have collision or comprehensive insurance, which resulted in the denial. Frustrated with the decision, John decided to appeal the claim.

Case Study 2: Unauthorized Driver Involved in the Accident

Emily’s vehicle was involved in a collision while her best friend, who was not listed as an authorized driver on her policy, was driving the car. American Family Insurance denied Emily’s claim because an unauthorized driver was operating the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Determined to challenge the decision, Emily prepared an appeal letter explaining the circumstances and arguing for her claim to be reconsidered.

Case Study 3: Disagreement Over Coverage Determination

Sarah’s car sustained extensive damage in an accident, and she believed that her full coverage car insurance policy should cover the repairs. However, American Family Insurance determined that the damages were not fully covered under her policy.

Feeling that she had been paying for comprehensive coverage, Sarah decided to consult with an attorney who specialized in denied insurance claims to explore her options.

Final Thoughts on What Happens if You Disagree With American Family’s Decision on Your Car Insurance Claim

Learning that American Family Insurance has denied your claim will probably be difficult. But this denial is not necessarily set in stone. If this happens, remember you have every legal right to appeal the denied claim.

Learn as much as you can about why your claim was rejected, gather evidence for your appeals letter, and hire an attorney if needed.