KANSAS CITY CAR INSURANCE DISPUTE LAWYER
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
- Last Modified:
- March 14, 2024
Insurance claims gone bad? Now what? Anyone who has suffered a car accident in Kansas city knows how challenging it can be to deal with insurance companies. The Kansas city personal injury attorneys at brown & crouppen have extensive experience with insurance company stall tactics.
Drivers in Kansas City have legal rights when dealing with insurance carriers. Under state law, you are entitled to every penny an insurer owes you once you file a personal injury claim. Nonetheless, it’s common for a driver in a dispute with an insurance provider to initiate litigation or negotiations against the carrier to resolve their Kansas City car accident claim.
The legal system in Missouri is set up to protect the rights of motorists after accidents. But the tricks, tactics, and maneuvers that insurance representatives, such as claims handlers, may pull to avoid paying out personal injury claims make it essential to consult a Kansas City car accident lawyer.
Policyholders expect everything will be okay if they pay insurance premiums and cooperate with insurance companies. This isn’t always the case. Insurers are for-profit businesses that always look for loopholes to limit or deny any payout. These companies always try to gather evidence to use against use and reduce their liability.
Insurance companies in Missouri and across the U.S. often refuse to pay legitimate car accident claims. Worse, a denial may result in severe financial hardship for the injured victim when premiums rise due to the accident.
It’s important to note that the insurance company has no final say on what you recover after a car accident in Kansas City. You don’t have to accept a lowball settlement offer that doesn’t represent the actual value of your injury claim.
When a dispute arises due to a claim you filed with the insurance company, obtaining sound legal representation is paramount. At Brown & Crouppen, our Kansas City car insurance dispute lawyers know their way around insurance law and are ready to fight for your rights and interests.
Want to know about your rights under your policy? Have questions about what your obligations are under the policy? Contact us now to schedule your free, no-obligation case review with our auto insurance dispute attorneys.
TYPES OF CAR INSURANCE COVERAGE
Each auto insurance company offers different types of coverage for policyholders. Since Missouri is an at-fault state, the driver liable for your injuries and other losses must pay for damages. The type of auto insurance coverage the at-fault driver carries will significantly impact your payout after a car collision in Kansas City.
Here are the common types of auto insurance policies:
- Collision coverage: Covers damage to your vehicle caused by other motor vehicles.
- Bodily injury liability: Pays for injuries that one sustains due to a car accident.
- Property damage liability: Covers damages to one’s property due to an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage: Provides assistance when one’s car is damaged due to natural disasters. It may also cover theft and vandalism.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Applicable when you are hit by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver in Kansas City.
- Personal injury protection: Covers treatment of injuries, lost wages, rehabilitation, and funeral costs due to a car collision.
COMMON REASONS INSURANCE COMPANIES DENY AUTO CLAIMS IN KANSAS CITY
Insurance carriers have a legal duty and obligation to act in good faith. The doctrine of excellent faith protects policyholders when filing car accidents in Missouri. Yet, insurance companies often try to deny valid car accident claims.
If your claim has been denied, you may wonder whether you can dispute an auto insurance claim. It’s wise to consult a reliable car insurance dispute lawyer near Kansas City to determine if the insurance company acted in “bad faith.”
Insurance bad faith happens when an insurer attempts to renege on its obligations by declining to pay a valid claim or process a claim within a reasonable period.
Here are some reasons why an insurance company may deny your Kansas City car accident claim:
- You were entirely at fault for the accident — Missouri follows pure comparative negligence laws.
- You didn’t receive an immediate medical checkup or disregarded medical care.
- You don’t have a diagnosable injury.
- Your auto insurance claim exceeds policy limits.
- You didn’t report the car accident quickly enough.
- There’s a liability dispute.
- You refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Don’t assume your car insurance company is there to support and protect you after an accident. The Kansas City car insurance dispute lawyers at Brown & Crouppen advise you not to provide recorded or written statements or sign any waivers to the insurance company.
Let our legal team help you navigate the car insurance claim dispute process. After all, you don’t deserve to pay for someone else’s negligence.
INSURANCE COMPANY TACTICS
Be wary of insurance companies when handling your auto accident claim in Kansas City, MO. Regardless of how friendly or concerned insurance adjusters may seem, remember these companies are in business to make money.
Here are some tactics insurers use to reduce their liability, consequently leading to car insurance claim disputes:
- Pressuring you into settling before reaching out to a lawyer
- Offering a lowball settlement
- Trying to shift blame for the car accident
- Making false promises
- Asking you to sign a medical release form
- Misrepresenting the law
- Misrepresenting policy limits
- Showing up at your house unannounced
- Talking to your family or friends
- Downplaying your injuries
The car insurance dispute attorneys at Brown & Crouppen are familiar with these and other tricks and tactics that insurance companies use. We know how to deal with cunning insurers, and we’ll fight back to ensure you get the maximum compensation you are owed.
Get started with a free consultation with one of our skilled Personal Injury Lawyers today.
LEGAL OPTIONS FOR DISPUTING AN AUTO INSURANCE CLAIM DENIAL
Unfortunately, bad faith and insurance fraud exist in Missouri and all across the United States. In many cases, such as motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, or even Uber accidents, insurers unfairly deny innocent victims’ compensation claims.
Found yourself in this situation? Wondering if you can dispute an auto insurance claim? Contact an experienced lawyer from Brown & Crouppen to help you with your car insurance claim dispute process in Kansas City, Missouri.
Your car insurance claim dispute lawyer will formally appeal the decision following all appropriate channels, including pursuing an internal appeal with the insurer or writing a demand letter.
Our car insurance claims attorneys may also initiate an external review process with the Missouri Department of Insurance.
Brown & Crouppen is prepared to file a lawsuit if the insurance company acted in bad faith or engaged in a breach of trust.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A CAR ACCIDENT CLAIM IN MISSOURI?
The statute of limitations for car accident claims in Missouri is five years. Kansas has a shorter two-year time limit for car accident cases. This period begins from the date of the car accident. Because there are exceptions to statutes of limitations, it’s strongly advised that you speak with an attorney right away following a car crash.
HOW MUCH DOES A KANSAS CITY CAR INSURANCE DISPUTE LAWYER COST?
Brown & Crouppen operates on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t have to worry about upfront costs when contacting our reputable Kansas personal injury law firm.
CAN I SUE A CAR INSURANCE COMPANY?
If your insurance company violates the terms of your policy, you can sue them. However, since your insurer may not be the entity responsible for covering your damages, you should contact an experienced car insurance dispute lawyer from Kansas City to discuss your options.
FREE CASE EVALUATION
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Brown & Crouppen Law Firm
2345 Grand Boulevard #675 Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 670-4701
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- Last Modified:
- March 14, 2024
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