Autor: Shelby Benavidez <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contributing Attorney & Paralegal:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Olivia Chapa, Attorney<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lynette Cruz, Paralegal<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Progressive Insurance is one of the largest auto insurers in the United States<\/a>. We’ll give credit where it’s due: their commercials are funny. And while Flo promises great savings, attorneys and claimants argue that Progressive doesn’t always keep its promise of convenience, affordability, and trust. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Progressive has developed a strong reputation in legal and consumer circles for being one of the most aggressive insurers when it comes to denying claims. This blog explores how and why Progressive denies claims based on the experiences of attorneys and paralegals who deal with them on a daily basis. Their stories reveal a troubling pattern of denied liability, stretched definitions of \u201cmisrepresentation,\u201d and a refusal to acknowledge clear evidence at the expense of injured car accident victims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the surface, Progressive seems like a friendly insurance company that’s really on your side. Its marketing campaigns focus on humor and accessibility, encouraging people to shop for quotes and bundle policies. However, many attorneys say that Progressive, like many other insurance companies, prioritizes profits over people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not unusual to hear lawyers name Progressive as one of the most difficult insurers to negotiate with. They are a company that’s often accused of offering lowball settlements or outright denying valid claims using questionable justifications<\/a>. Some attorneys say they’ve seen Progressive dispute claims despite police reports, eyewitness accounts, and other evidence supporting the injured person’s version of events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’ve never had to file a claim, you probably don’t know that many insurance companies use tactics to avoid paying full value. But our personal injury attorneys deal with Progressive adjusters every day, and they’ve shared examples of cases that show just how far Progressive adjusters are willing to go to avoid liability and save money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI had an adjuster deny liability because their insured told them it was our client’s fault even though the crash report blamed the defendant driver,” Daniel Stark attorney Olivia Chapa said, “and we had eyewitnesses that said it was not our client’s fault!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this case, Progressive allegedly ignored the official police report and independent eyewitnesses, choosing to believe their insured over the presented facts. It\u2019s a tactic that places the burden of proof unfairly on the injured party, even when the evidence clearly supports their claim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAn insurance adjuster denied a claim for ‘material misrepresentation’ after the Defendant moved to a new home in the same city but forgot to update his address with his insurance company,” another Daniel Stark attorney said. “Though he was responsible, they initially denied coverage stating that he failed to provide truthful information (material misrepresentation) on their application. We sued, and coverage was eventually provided.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Material misrepresentation is a legal term for when an insured provides false or incomplete information to their insurer, giving the insurer grounds to deny coverage. It usually has to be significant enough to affect the policy, but in this example, Progressive tried to invoke it for something as minor as a forgotten address update \u2013 in the same city, no less. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, we aren’t the only ones with negative encounters with Progressive adjusters. Attorneys across the country share similar stories about Progressive adjusters cherry-picking evidence, denying liability regardless of the facts, and using common tricks to avoid paying claims. For accident victims, this often means a long, uphill battle just to get paid fair value for their injuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Attorneys who regularly handle claims against Progressive say they’ve seen the same patterns over and over again. Here are some of the most common reasons Progressive gives for denying claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As Olivia Chapa’s case shows, Progressive adjusters may rely solely on their insured’s version of events, even when police reports and eyewitnesses clearly put their insured at fault. This can leave injured victims fighting to prove liability, even when the available evidence already made it clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It sounds silly, but this is an excuse Progressive is alleged to use frequently. Whether the insured didn’t update their address, failed to mention a prior ticket, or forgot a minor detail on the application, it\u2019s a tactic that attorneys say is overused and unfair. Insurance tries to use this even when the change has little or no impact on the case itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Progressive allegedly denies claims when a driver who wasn’t explicitly listed on the policy<\/a> was behind the wheel, even if that person lived in the same household and had permission to drive the car. In many states, these situations aren’t always as straightforward as the insurance company suggests, especially when an innocent third party is injured. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Progressive, like many other insurance companies, may use delay tactics to have grounds to deny a claim or pressure the injured party into settling for much less than they deserve. They won’t respond for extended periods of time, claim they are still investigating, or they didn’t receive paperwork you sent over. This can turn a delay tactic into an outright denial. By this time, the injured party is typically already financially stretched. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of evaluating claims as a whole, Progressive adjusters may zero in on obscure policy exclusions or fine print, denying claims that any other person would reasonably expect to be covered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Being denied by an insurer like Progressive can leave injured parties feeling helpless. Insurance is supposed to provide peace of mind and protection when the unexpected happens. Unfortunately, when a valid claim is denied, the consequences can be life-altering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An accident can leave you without a vehicle, struggling to pay medical bills, and missing work because of your injuries. And while these circumstances are difficult in any situation, they can become much worse when an insurance company delays or denies a valid claim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOne time, I had a client whose body was 80% burned and still hospitalized in the ICU burn unit,” Lynette Cruz, paralegal at Daniel Stark said. “I sent them photos of the client\u2019s injuries and the vehicle that had caught on fire. They still denied it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Routine fender benders are usually pretty cut and dry. But in this case, the client suffered catastrophic, life-threatening burns, and photos documented the extent of the injuries. Despite that, Progressive allegedly denied the claim. Denials like this can leave victims and their families without the financial support they need during one of the most difficult times in their lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people share similar stories online after having a claim denied by Progressive<\/a>. Some say they waited weeks just to hear back from their adjuster. Others talk about being forced to settle for far less than their injuries were worth, simply because they couldn\u2019t afford to keep fighting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If Progressive has denied your claim, especially if the denial feels unfair or doesn\u2019t match the facts, don\u2019t give up. Here are some concrete steps to take. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contacting a qualified personal injury attorney after being injured in a car accident might be the most important decision you make. With an attorney on your side, insurance companies know you aren’t messing around. A qualified car accident attorney<\/a> can evaluate whether the denial was legitimate and help you build a case for appeal or litigation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Always ask Progressive to document its reason for denial in writing<\/a>. Not only does this give you clarity, but it also gives your attorney context to start building your case. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTabla de contenido<\/h2>
TL;DR: Progressive Insurance Claim Denials <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nProgressive\u2019s Public Image vs. Legal Reality <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Slick Ads, But a Different Story in the Courtroom <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Real Cases of Progressive Claim Denials <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Common Tactics Progressive Uses to Deny Claims <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Relying on Their Insured’s Word Against All Evidence<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. \u201cMaterial Misrepresentation\u201d <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Denied Coverage for \u201cNon-Disclosed Drivers\u201d <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Delays That Lead to Denials <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Technicalities Over Transparency <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What Happens When Progressive Denies a Legitimate Claim <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Fight Back After a Denied Claim by Progressive Insurance <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Contact a Car Accident Attorney <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Request a Written Explanation <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. File a Complaint <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n