What to Do If Your Car Insurance Company Refuses to Pay

March 20, 2025

Taking Action In Response to Insurance Payment Refusal Is Your Right

As you recover from your car accident, you are likely overwhelmed with the associated expenses. You may need medical care and major repairs to your vehicle, both of which can be costly.  Additionally, injuries caused by the accident often result in an inability to work, so your earnings may have decreased. Taking all of this into account, you may not be overly concerned.  After all, you can rely on your automobile insurance company to compensate you for your losses.  Or, can you?  Every day accident victims across Oklahoma receive coverage denial letters in their mailboxes. Their insurance companies are refusing to pay their claims.

If this scenario sounds familiar, you may be incredibly frustrated. Is there anything you can do? Thankfully, there is.

Your insurance company’s initial response to your claim may not be their final answer. As a policyholder, you do have the right to appeal.

This process is best undertaken with the guidance of an experienced Oklahoma insurance claims attorney.

Five Things to Do When Your Insurance Company Refuses to Pay Your Claim

Taking action when your insurance company won’t pay your claim is critical. Not responding leaves you financially responsible for the totality of your damages, the impact of which can be life changing.  Remember, an insurance company’s denial does not always mean no.  A significant portion of claims are unfairly denied, but very few individuals question these decisions.  Acting quickly and definitively can increase your chances of success.  You should:

1. Carefully review all documentation. When you purchased your coverage, you were provided with a copy of your policy.  This paperwork details your coverage as well as the claims process.  Make sure you understand all of the details.
2. Gather evidence.  It is important to have access to all information from your auto accident.  This includes any photos or videos you took or were able to obtain, copies of witness statements that include their names and contact information, the police report, your medical records, and estimates from your mechanic.  You also want to have your automobile policy, a copy of your claim submission, and copies of any correspondence between you and your insurance company, including the denial letter
3. Request a written explanation of their denial.  While it may seem simpler to pick up the phone and have a representative explain the denial, getting all information in writing is important.  Oklahoma law mandates that insurance companies provide claims denials in writing within 45 days after receiving the filed claim.  The letter must include the reasons for their decision.  Insurance companies that do not comply with your request for a written explanation may be guilty of bad faith.
4. Determine whether the reason for denial was legitimate.  If it is, you have no room to appeal; if not, you can act. If you are unsure, move forward. Remember, mistakes made in filing the claim are not valid reasons for a final denial.  Assuming your claim submission was timely, technical filing errors can be corrected and your claim should be reviewed.
5. Reach out to your insurance company. While complaining to friends and family can be therapeutic, it won’t resolve your unpaid claim. It’s time to go directly to the source of the denial — your insurance company.  In general, all correspondence with your automobile insurance company should be in writing; having a tangible record can prove helpful as you continue the claim review and legal process.  If you do initially call your insurance representative, be sure to follow up immediately with an email summarizing your conversation and requesting further contact.  Always keep a list of the full names and contact numbers of those with whom you speak.
6. Keep accurate records of additional impacts and costs resulting from the initial denial of your automobile insurance claim. If the company is eventually charged and found guilty of bad faith, you may be eligible to receive compensation for additional damages you have suffered resulting from the delay — for example, long-term car rentals.
7. Daft and submit a formal appeal letter.  If your initial contact is unsuccessful, it is time to submit a formal letter of appeal. Drafting this letter can be time consuming; you want to make sure all requisite details (name, date of birth, address, and policy number) are included and important documentation (police reports, witness statements, medical records, and mechanic reports) is attached. You want to make your appeal as easy as possible to process, because your insurance company will not take the time to hunt for missing information.  Incomplete appeal letters are more likely to be rejected.  Make sure you submit your appeal per your insurance company’s requirements and ensure you have a way to track its receipt.

Addressing payment refusals can be a complicated and time-consuming process.  Make no mistake: insurance companies do this purposefully as it incentivizes policyholders to simply accept their denials and move on with their lives.

That said, questioning their decision is your right and something you should seriously consider.  In situations like this, engaging the guidance of an experienced Oklahoma denied automobile insurance claims attorney can be a wise investment. Appeals submitted by attorneys are more likely to be successful than those requested by individuals without legal representation. Insurance companies know that attorneys have an in-depth understanding of the law and the ability to hold them responsible for their actions, so they tend to react more favorably toward them.

Doug Terry Law Knows What to Do When Auto Insurance Claims Are Denied

Leveraging Our Knowledge and Experience Is Key

When your automobile insurance company refuses to pay your claim, the losses you face are considerable.  You need the compensation requested to repair your vehicle, pay for your medical treatment, and treat the emotional trauma you have experienced.

Addressing the non-payment effectively and efficiently is key to maximizing your settlement.

At Doug Terry Law, we have significant experience in doing just this.  Our team is well-versed in insurance law, has strong working relationships within the legal community, and embraces an approach to service that is based on our appreciation of the impact these denials have on our clients.  We know why insurance companies deny claims, recognize the strategies they employ, and understand how to overcome them.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

Addressing non-payment of insurance claims is a time-sensitive process.  There are deadlines regarding appeals, and you must adhere to them.  Our team, led by Doug Terry, knows how to address all related issues. We understand the complexities of the appeals process and can manage it on your behalf.

Our commitment to providing clients with hands-on, compassionate service begins with a free consultation.  Contact us today at ​​405-463-6362 to schedule yours.  This meeting will provide you with the opportunity to experience how we communicate and to learn how we would approach your specific situation.

Years ago, Doug Terry founded our firm on the belief that ordinary people deserve the same quality representation that insurance companies employ every day.  He and his team are ready to go to work for you immediately and fight tirelessly in pursuit of the compensation you deserve.