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

As a Nationwide auto insurance customer, you assumed that the company would cover any damages to your vehicle in the case of an accident, minus any deductible amounts. So understandably, you were very surprised when Nationwide denied your claim after you were in an accident.

This situation probably has you wondering, “What happens if I disagree with the insurance company’s decision on my claim?” Keep reading to learn the answer to this question, as well as information on why the claim might have been denied, including not having certain types of car insurance coverage on your policy.

What To Do When You Disagree With Nationwide’s Decision On Your Car Insurance Claim

Learning that your auto insurance company has denied your claim can be a very stressful experience. Fortunately, the decision is not necessarily final. If you disagree with Nationwide’s decision on your car insurance claim, you have the legal right to file an appeal.

Most auto insurance companies have an appeals process in place, so start by contacting your agent, if you have one, to ask how to start the appeal.

You will probably have to write a formal letter disputing the denied claim, and if there is a great deal of damage to your vehicle, you might want to consider hiring an attorney to help.

Read more: What to do if a life insurance claim is denied?

Other Steps To Take If You Disagree With Nationwide’s Decision On Your Car Insurance Claim

For your appeal letter to be as accurate and thorough as possible, it is important to learn why Nationwide denied your claim. You should have received a letter from the auto insurance company stating all the reasons for the denial; read through it to see what reasons were given.

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

Next, gather as much information as possible about the accident or other situation that caused your vehicle to be damaged. This includes police reports, detailed copies of your auto insurance policy, including if you have full coverage car insurance, eye witness statements, and photos and videos from the accident scene.

Reasons Why Nationwide May Deny a Car Insurance Claim

There are several reasons why Nationwide could deny your auto insurance claim. For instance, you might not have enough car insurance coverage on your policy to cover all damages.

For example, if you have $20,000 in property damage liability coverage but hit another vehicle worth $30,000, you would probably be liable for the $10,000. Another reason your claim might have been denied is that you were in an accident with an uninsured driver and did not have uninsured motorist coverage.

Read more:

• How does the car insurance claims process differ for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with Nationwide?
• What information do I need to file a car insurance claim with Nationwide?

Tips On How to Avoid Nationwide From Denying Your Car Insurance Claim

If you are in an accident or your vehicle is damaged in another way, you can file a claim on the Nationwide website. Submit as much factual data and photos as possible to prevent your claim from being denied due to insufficient information. Nationwide has broken down the claims process into four steps:

• Basic information
• Accident details
• Services
• Claim summary

If you have questions about any of these steps, contact your agent, if you have one, for help. Your agent can verify what your auto insurance policy covers and what might be excluded, which may help lessen the chance of your claim being denied. Provide as many details as you can in the letter.

You can also research Nationwide insurance review to learn if it’s common for the company to deny claims.

Case Studies: Disputing Nationwide’s Decision on Car Insurance Claims

Case Study 1: John’s Denied Claim

John, a Nationwide auto insurance customer, was shocked when his claim for damages from an accident was denied by the company. Frustrated and seeking answers, he decided to file an appeal.

John started by understanding the reasons for the denial, gathering evidence related to the accident, and drafting a formal appeal letter. This case study examines John’s journey through the appeals process and the steps he took to dispute Nationwide’s decision.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s Insufficient Coverage

Sarah found herself in a similar situation when Nationwide denied her claim due to insufficient car insurance coverage. She had property damage liability coverage of $20,000 but caused damage to another vehicle worth $30,000.

Sarah explored her options and learned about uninsured motorist coverage. In this case study, we follow Sarah’s efforts to dispute Nationwide’s decision by understanding the coverage limitations and taking necessary steps to prevent claim denial.

Case Study 3: Mike’s Thorough Appeal

Mike, another Nationwide policyholder, was determined to fight the denial of his car insurance claim. He carefully reviewed the denial letter and identified the company’s reasoning.

Mike went on to gather extensive information about the accident, including police reports, eyewitness statements, and photos from the scene. This case study delves into Mike’s meticulous approach to building a robust appeal and his experience throughout the process.

Final Thoughts On What Happens If You Disagree With Nationwide’s Decision On Your Car Insurance Claim

Finding out that Nationwide denied your auto insurance claim can be very difficult. Fortunately, you do not have to accept the denial as the final word.

Instead, if you disagree with Nationwide’s decision on your car insurance claim, go over your denial letter carefully to understand the company’s decision, then take your time collecting information that supports your case and write a robust and detailed letter of appeal.