By the time you find yourself dealing with an auto insurance claim after a car accident, you’re likely already stressed out and overwhelmed, especially if you’re recovering from injuries or facing extensive vehicle damage. As such, you might naturally wonder whether a lawyer can relieve some of the burden by helping you file GEICO claims.
Steps in the Claims Process
While it’s possible to handle a car insurance claim by yourself, it helps to have a legal representative in your corner. A car accident attorney can make sure you aren’t missing anything that might jeopardize your case, along with helping you navigate the legal and insurance systems.
Like most insurance companies, GEICO has a structured process for handling car accident claims. These steps typically include:
- Reporting the Accident: You must report accidents as soon as possible and include key details, such as when and where they occurred
- Submitting Evidence: You’ll need to provide evidence like photos, videos, police reports, witness statements, and hospital bills to back up your claim
- Awaiting an Investigation: GEICO will assign an adjuster to look into the accident and evaluate your claim
- Receiving a Settlement Offer: Following their review, the company will offer you a settlement
The process might seem straightforward, but many claimants hit roadblocks that threaten to prevent them from getting a fair payout.
Common Challenges of GEICO Claims
Insurance companies are concerned about their profits above all else, and GEICO is no different. An adjuster’s job is to protect their company’s bottom line, and that means offering the lowest possible payout whenever someone files a claim. For that reason, initial settlement offers are almost always undervalued.
An insurance adjuster may push for a fast settlement before the full extent of your injuries or losses is obvious. They might also attempt to blame you to some degree or challenge the validity of your costs and use it as an excuse to offer you less.
However, receiving a lowball offer or having your claim denied outright doesn’t mean you have to lie down and take it — there are steps you can take to fight back and get the compensation you deserve. Here are a few worth trying:
- Ask the company to give you detailed, specific reasons for its decision so you can address them directly
- If your claim was denied due to insufficient evidence, collect more supporting information to achieve a more favorable outcome
- File a formal appeal to dispute the denial
If you opt to hire a car accident lawyer, they can review the denial notice and help you figure out the best course of action. This might involve filing a lawsuit if the company refuses to negotiate fairly.
Benefits of Hiring Legal Counsel
Retaining a lawyer to help you with your insurance claim offers several major advantages. For example, your attorney will:
- Counter the tactics insurance adjusters use to minimize or deny your claim to secure a fair settlement
- Make sure all of your losses (both economic and non-economic) are accounted for
- Collect and organize the evidence you need to support your claim and consult with experts to give it more merit
- Help you file a lawsuit if negotiations fail and take the matter to court to argue your case on your behalf
Working with an attorney sends the message that you’re serious about asserting your rights and will make insurance adjusters think twice about trying to take advantage of you.
Handling GEICO claims in the aftermath of an accident can be challenging. A qualified lawyer can protect your rights, help you negotiate with the company, and see that you get the compensation you need to deal with the losses you’ve suffered as a result of the accident.
FAQ
Can I Still File a Claim if the Accident Was Partially My Fault?
Yes, though only if you’re less than 51% responsible. It’s also important to be aware that your total award might be reduced based on your assigned percentage of fault. An attorney can help make sure the insurance company doesn’t unfairly assign blame to you.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a GEICO Claim?
It depends on the circumstances. Timelines for insurance claims can vary widely based on the nature of the accident and the extent of the resulting injuries or damage. Minor claims might be resolved in weeks, while more major ones could take months. A legal professional can give you a better idea of what to expect in your situation.
What if the Settlement Offer Doesn’t Cover All of My Expenses?
If the offer GEICO sends you isn’t sufficient, you don’t have to take it. You have a right to negotiate for a higher amount, and an attorney can help make sure you get it. Your lawyer will prevent the company from taking advantage of you or pressuring you into accepting the first offer it sends out.
Do I Have to Give a Recorded Statement to GEICO?
You’re never obligated to give your insurer any recorded statements about the circumstances of an accident. This is a tactic insurance companies use to glean details that may give them an excuse to minimize payouts or deny claims. It’s wise to meet with an attorney before talking to anyone about your accident.
Get Professional Assistance With Your GEICO Claim
If you’ve recently been in a car accident and are having trouble getting GEICO to pay out your claim, contact Ramsey Law Group to schedule a free consultation about your case. We can take the weight off your shoulders so you can focus on healing and moving forward.