Auto accidents happen much too often in Seattle. When crashes do occur, injury victims often rely on being able to obtain compensation by filing an insurance claim. However, GEICO insurance claims are denied more often than you might think, leaving injury victims to wonder whether they will be able to pay for hospital bills, vehicle replacement, and other extensive medical costs. To be sure, the aftermath of a car accident in Seattle can be especially difficult if you cannot obtain compensation through an insurance claim.

What can you do if your GEICO insurance claim was denied? It is extremely important to speak with an experienced Seattle accident lawyer to learn more about appealing your claim denial. And if you cannot successfully appeal the claim, or if you have a case that can be better handled through a claim against the responsible party (rather than through an insurer), you may be able to file a lawsuit.

Why GEICO Insurance Claims Get Denied in Seattle, Washington

Why do GEICO auto insurance claims get denied? There are many different reasons that a claim can be denied, and it is important to understand precisely why you received a GEICO denial. According to the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, you should be able to expect that your insurer will provide you with the following information once you submit your claim:

  • Timely and clear explanation of coverage decision;
  • Clear explanation of how claim will be paid;
  • Timely response to your questions; and
  • Timely payments.

To be clear, if your GEICO claim is denied, you should receive a timely and clear explanation of that denial of benefits. Keep in mind, however, that your denied GEICO insurance claim may have resulted from a simple failure to provide the correct information when submitting your claim. Some common reasons that insurance companies like GEICO give for denying claims include but are not limited to:

  • You have only liability insurance but filed a claim for collision coverage;
  • You are not a named insurer on the policy;
  • Your insurance policy lapsed because you did not pay the premium;
  • You have policy limits, and the amount you are seeking in compensation exceeds the policy limits;
  • You recently purchased your new vehicle but did not properly add it to your insurance policy; and/or
  • You made a claim through your uninsured motorist coverage, but the other driver who was responsible for the accident was not an uninsured motorist.

In many of these cases, insureds submit successful appeals with the help of a Seattle auto accident lawyer.

Dealing with a Bad Faith GEICO Insurance Claim Denial

Sometimes GEICO auto insurance claims are denied for a legitimate reason. In numerous cases, however, the insured receives a denial letter that does not seem relevant to the specific claim you submitted. It is possible that you are dealing with a bad faith claim denial.

You should know that GEICO must act in good faith when it handles the auto insurance claim you submitted. If GEICO fails to properly consider the claim you submitted and denies that claim for a reason that suggests the possibility of bad faith, you should reach out to a Seattle insurance claims denial attorney as soon as possible. In such a case, you may be able to argue that GEICO violated Washington State law concerning the unreasonable denial of a claim for coverage or payment of benefits.

There are many actions that can be considered an unreasonable denial of benefits under Washington State law. Examples in the statute include but are not limited to:

  • Unfair claims settlement practices;
  • Misrepresentation of policy provisions;
  • Failure to acknowledge pertinent communications;
  • Failing to promptly investigate a claim; and
  • Failing to promptly, fairly, and equitably make a settlement offer.

In other words, if you filed your claim and GEICO denied you benefits, you may be able to argue that GEICO violated Washington State law if it failed to investigate your claim in a timely manner, for instance, or if it misrepresented certain policy provisions that led you to believe you had coverage that you did not in fact have available to you.

Discuss Your Insurance Claim in Seattle with an Auto Accident Lawyer

If you recently submitted a GEICO auto insurance claim and received a denial letter, you should get started on your appeal as soon as possible. Many claims are approved upon appeal, and a car accident lawyer in Seattle can assist you through this process. In some instances, insurance companies act in bad faith, and it is extremely important to have an experienced advocate on your side to help with your case. Contact Khan Law Firm, PLLC today.