What You Should Know
- If you don’t agree with Progressive’s conclusions about your auto insurance claim, you can appeal it and ask for additional investigation
- During your appeal, provide detailed documents about your accident and communicate with Progressive often
- Consider hiring a lawyer if the claim you want to appeal involves valuable vehicles or costly injuries
After an auto accident, filing an auto insurance claim can be stressful. Like any insurance company, Progressive may decide not to pay for all of your expenses or deny your claim. Appealing gives you an opportunity to negotiate with Progressive until you’re satisfied with the company’s decision.
Learning how to compare auto insurance quotes and telling Progressive you’re considering another auto insurance company could enhance your argument.
In this article, we’ll help you learn more about what happens if you disagree with Progressive’s decision about your auto insurance claim and the evidence you may need for your appeal.
Steps When You Disagree With Progressive’s Decision on Your Claim
After Progressive decides on your claim, you’ll receive a claim denial or a settlement offer describing how Progressive reached its conclusion and the evidence the company considered.
Read this letter or email carefully, and look for any missing or inaccurate information that might have contributed to the decision. Then, compose an appeal letter, also called a demand letter, that lets Progressive know why you should get more compensation.
An insurance adjuster will read your letter, review your evidence and documents, and let you know about the results of your appeal. After writing a demand letter, most people wait a few weeks for an answer.
If you’re not satisfied with Progressive’s response, you can speak to a supervisor. However, the conclusion about your claim may not change. You can talk to a lawyer about your options for increasing your compensation.
If necessary, you can file a lawsuit or mediate with Progressive. Be aware that the statute of limitations is two or three years in most states. If you don’t start a lawsuit before that period ends, Progressive’s conclusion will be final.
To learn more about Progressive and how the company handles claims, check out our Progressive auto insurance review.
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What You May Need for a Successful Appeal with Progressive
For a successful appeal, gather as many documents about your claim as you can. These can include:
- Photos of the location of the accident and any damage that occurred
- Repair bills
- Statements from any witnesses about the accident
- Their names and contact information
- The police report
- The insurance and contact information for any other drivers that were involved
If you had an injury during the accident, you should also keep track of statements and medical bills from hospitals or doctors. They can help you describe your treatment so far and any related care you may need in the future.
What to Do if You Disagree With Progressive’s Decision
Understanding what happens if you disagree with Progressive’s decision on your auto insurance claim can give you a chance to change the company’s conclusion and increase your compensation.
If you can’t agree with Progressive about what you should get for your claim, consider comparing quotes and looking for affordable full coverage auto insurance from another auto insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are claims denied?
Progressive could deny coverage for a variety of reasons, including:
- The claim is over your policy’s limit.
- You missed a payment deadline.
- The accident happened in someone else’s car and you weren’t on the policy.
- You waited too long to file a claim after the accident.
- Progressive decided that the accident was partially or completely your fault.
If you don’t want to make repairs on a vehicle that’s not totaled, Progressive should send your payment directly to you instead of paying a mechanic for repairs.
Progressive usually pays the cash value of a vehicle within one or two weeks if it’s a total loss. If you don’t agree with the amount the company offers, you can appeal. Knowing how to negotiate a total loss auto insurance settlement may be helpful.
What are some ways to prevent a claim denial or a low payment?
Buying some additional coverage can keep future claims from being denied. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage helps if an accident is the other driver’s fault and they don’t have insurance.
Learning how to insure aftermarket parts on your vehicle can help you get more money for your vehicle if you have expensive modifications like premium speakers or a custom paint job. If other people borrow your car often, add them to the policy. Take plenty of photos to strengthen your claim after an accident.
Could my rate increase after a claim denial?
Your auto insurance rate could increase when you renew your policy, but Progressive will send you the new rate at least 30 days in advance. This gives you plenty of time to compare prices with other insurers.
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Leslie Kasperowicz
Farmers CSR for 4 Years
Leslie Kasperowicz holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Winnipeg. She spent several years as a Farmers Insurance CSR, gaining a solid understanding of insurance products including home, life, auto, and commercial and working directly with insurance customers to understand their needs. She has since used that knowledge in her more than ten years as a writer, largely in the insurance…
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