Photo: Anthony Maw / UnsplashGeneral appeal strategy
- Accidents and injury
How to Appeal an Insurance Claim Denial: Step-by-Step for Auto, Home, Health and Life Insurance
A practical process for appealing a denied insurance claim: reading the denial, gathering evidence, writing an appeal letter, deadlines, regulator complaints and when to hire a lawyer.
4 min read - Accidents and injury
Insurance Bad Faith: When an Insurer Wrongly Denies or Delays a Claim
What bad faith means, examples of insurer misconduct, how to document it and your options including complaints and lawsuits.
2 min read - Accidents and injury
Car Insurance Claim Denied? What You Can Do
Why insurers deny auto claims, how to appeal, when to file a complaint with your state insurance department and when to call a lawyer.
5 min read - Courts and claims
How to Prepare Evidence for Court: Organizing Exhibits, Witnesses and Timelines
A practical guide to gathering and organizing evidence for small claims and civil cases, including documents, photos, messages, witnesses, authentication and presentation tips.
4 min read
Auto insurance
- Accidents and injury
Auto Insurance Total Loss and Diminished Value: How to Dispute a Low Settlement
How insurers value totaled cars, comparable vehicles, taxes and fees, how to challenge a low offer, diminished value claims, rental coverage and appraisal options.
4 min read - Accidents and injury
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Explained
What UM and UIM coverage pays for, when it applies after a crash and how to make a claim on your own policy.
5 min read - Accidents and injury
Property Damage Claims After a Car Accident: Repairs, Total Loss and Diminished Value
How insurers value damaged cars, what happens when a vehicle is totaled and how to dispute a low offer.
2 min read - Accidents and injury
Should You Give a Recorded Statement to an Insurance Adjuster After an Accident?
What a recorded statement is, when you must give one to your own insurer, why you can usually decline one from the other driver's insurer, and how to protect your claim.
5 min read
Home, health and life insurance
- Accidents and injury
Homeowners Insurance Claim Disputes: Underpayment, Denial, Appraisal and Public Adjusters
How to dispute a low or denied homeowners insurance claim, document damage, understand policy limits and exclusions, use appraisal, hire a public adjuster and file complaints.
3 min read - Accidents and injury
Homeowners Insurance Claim Denied: Steps to Take
Why homeowners claims are denied, how to appeal, document damage and when to get help from regulators or an attorney.
2 min read - Accidents and injury
Health Insurance Denials: Prior Authorization, Internal Appeals and External Review
How to fight health insurance denials, why claims are denied, prior authorization problems, internal appeals, external review rights, expedited appeals and getting help from your doctor.
3 min read - Accidents and injury
Health Insurance Denials: How to Appeal and Use External Review
How to appeal a denied health claim, your right to an external review and tips for strengthening your appeal.
2 min read - Accidents and injury
Life Insurance Claim Denied: Contestability Period, Misrepresentation and Beneficiary Disputes
Why life insurance claims are denied, the contestability period, misrepresentation, lapse and suicide clauses, beneficiary disputes, how to appeal and when to hire a lawyer.
4 min read - Family and estate
Life Insurance Claims: How Beneficiaries Get Paid
How to file a life insurance claim, how long it takes, why claims are delayed or denied and what to do if there is a dispute.
2 min read
Disability and injury claims
- Work and lawyers
Long-Term Disability Insurance Denials: Appeal Rights, ERISA Deadlines and Evidence
Why long-term disability claims are denied, how ERISA appeal rules work, strict deadlines, building the record, own occupation vs any occupation and when to hire a lawyer.
3 min read - Work and lawyers
Workers' Compensation Claim Denied: How to Appeal and What Evidence Helps
Why workers comp claims are denied, deadlines to appeal, how hearings work, evidence to gather, independent medical exams and when to hire a workers comp lawyer.
3 min read - Accidents and injury
How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer: Questions to Ask
What to look for in an injury lawyer, how to check credentials, questions for the first meeting and warning signs.
4 min read - Work and lawyers
Contingency Fees Explained: What You Pay a Lawyer If You Win
How contingency fee agreements work, what percentages are typical, and why costs are a separate question.
2 min read
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if my insurance claim is denied?
Read the denial and policy, request the claim file, gather evidence and appeal in writing before the deadline.
Can I complain to the state about my insurer?
Yes. Your state department of insurance accepts complaints and can investigate unfair claim practices.
What is bad faith?
Unreasonable conduct by an insurer, such as denying a valid claim without a reasonable basis or delaying without cause.
What is external review?
An independent review of certain health insurance denials after internal appeals.
Do I need a lawyer?
Not always, but it helps for large claims, injuries or suspected bad faith.