Have an American Family Auto Insurance Claim? Let Us Help

A car accident is scary, especially if the insurance company tries to bully you. The automobile insurance attorneys at Emerald City Law Group will push back against large companies and fight for your right to fair and full compensation.

An American Family Insurance claim can be complex, but you are not alone. Contact Emerald City Law Group to talk to an insurance claims lawyer.

Based in Seattle, We Assist People Across Washington and Offer Virtual Consultations. Initial Consults are Free, Confidential, and We’re Available 24/7 to Answer Your Questions.

American Family Auto Insurance

Established in 1927 by Herman Wittwer in Madison, WI, American Family Insurance began as Farmers Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. Over the decades, it underwent mergers, rebranding, and expansion, eventually adopting American Family Mutual Insurance Company in 1963. By 2017, the company boasted a revenue of $8.8 billion and is now one of the country’s leading auto insurers with a 2% market share, comparable to Travelers Insurance and slightly behind Nationwide and Farmers.

For consumers, this prominence signifies that encountering an American Family auto insurance policyholder in the event of a car accident is common. The company offers a comprehensive range of auto insurance products, including property damage, bodily injury liability, collision, comprehensive medical expenses (Med pay), personal injury protection (PIP), gap coverage, underinsured/uninsured motorist protection, and more.

American Family Auto Insurance Claims: What You Need to Know

When you have American Family insurance, or the at-fault driver does, you may feel confident that you can obtain the fair financial settlement following a car accident. Unfortunately, not all car accident claims go smoothly.

You may encounter red tape or an aggressive insurance adjuster who makes your claim process difficult. Your claim may even be wrongly denied, or you may be offered a shockingly low settlement.

To get through the insurance claims process as efficiently as possible and improve the chances of fair compensation for your injuries, work with an insurance claims attorney at Emerald City Law Group.

Compensation from American Family Insurance

Two main types of damages can be recovered from American Family Auto Insurance in an auto accident claim: economic and non-economic.

Economic damages are the financial losses incurred because of the accident:

  • Past, Present, and Future Medical Expenses
  • Lost Wages
  • Loss of Earning Capacity
  • Property Damage
  • Funeral and Burial Costs (if your loved one passed away)

Non-economic damages are the non-financial losses related to the accident:

  • Pain and Suffering
  • Emotional Distress
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life
  • Loss of Consortium (loss of companionship or support from a spouse or family member)

In addition to these damages, you may be able to get punitive damages in an auto accident case. While not available in every case, punitive damages are designed to punish the at-fault driver for particularly reckless or egregious conduct.

American Family Auto Insurance Settlements

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may be eligible to receive a settlement from American Family Insurance to resolve your claim without taking it to court.

Here are a few things you can do to increase your chances of a fair and full insurance settlement:

  • Gather evidence. This includes police reports, medical records, and repair estimates. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be.
  • Be patient. It can take time to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. Don’t feel pressured to accept the first lowball offer they make.
  • Get legal help. If you are unsure how to negotiate a settlement or are unhappy with the offer American Family has made, you should consult with a car insurance lawyer.

American Family Auto Insurance will have a team of experienced lawyers who will do what it takes to pay as little as possible. Here are some tips for negotiating a settlement:

  • Be realistic. American Family Insurance will look at your damages and the evidence you have provided to determine a fair settlement offer.
  • Be prepared to compromise. Both you and the insurance company will need to be willing to give a little to reach an agreement.

If you cannot reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company, your car insurance attorney may need to file a lawsuit.

Navigating an American Family Auto Insurance Claim

You must notify your insurer if your vehicle was damaged or you were injured in a Seattle car accident. When your insurer is American Family Insurance, you may deal with them through a first-party claim. You can notify them over the phone at 1-800-MYAMFAM. Depending on your coverage, you may look to American Family to compensate you for your injuries and cover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle.

In most circumstances, you seek compensation from the other, at-fault driver’s insurer. If American Family covers the other driver, you or your insurer will work with American Family to negotiate an appropriate settlement. This is a third-party claim.

Whether American Family Insurance is your or the other driver’s insurer, you should not assume you will receive a full and fair settlement quickly. Even if you receive an offer immediately, it is likely much lower than you should receive. To ensure you know when a settlement offer is too low and how much your claim is worth, you should have a lawyer represent you.  You only have one opportunity to settle a claim and you want to do it correctly and not sell yourself short.

Protect Your Rights During Your Claim

You need to be careful what you say to an insurance adjuster and the level of access you provide concerning your records. By hiring a Seattle insurance claims lawyer, you can avoid common missteps.

Your attorney will prepare you for any statement to American Family. By preparing a statement, you can offer an honest account and avoid accidentally taking responsibility for the crash.

Insurers often try to dive into your background, particularly your medical records. American Family may send you a medical release and ask you to sign. This would allow the insurer to review all your medical records, not just those related to a crash. By working with an attorney, you’ll have someone to review all the paperwork before accidentally signing something that could harm you.

An Insurance Claims Attorney Will Fight Bad Faith Acts

Once you file a claim with an insurer, that business is required, by law, to treat you with good faith. Within a day or so of your claim, your case must be assigned to an adjuster. This person’s job is to investigate your claim and determine whether you have a right to compensation. There should not be any delay in opening and investigating your claim. If there is, this may be a sign that the insurer is acting in bad faith.

Another area in which bad faith conduct is possible is during an investigation. During this time, you or your attorney may have contact with the adjuster and other employees of American Family. They cannot misrepresent the facts or lie about provisions in the relevant auto policy. There is also a risk that the insurer mishandled the investigation, which could lead to improperly denying your claim.

The insurer must participate in good-faith negotiations when you have a valid claim. They must make a concerted effort to negotiate a fair settlement with you and your attorney. If American Family Insurance were to wrongly deny your claim, refuse to negotiate, or refuse to offer an appropriate amount, then this may be evidence of bad faith.

If an insurer acts in bad faith toward you during a claim, you may have the right to file a legal claim against the insurer. You may have a right to compensation related to the accident and additional compensation for the insurer’s unlawful conduct.

American Family Auto Insurance Info & Resources

Our lawyers are here to help you handle an American Family Insurance claim after a car accident. If you don’t find answers to your questions here, reach out to Emerald City Law Group as soon as possible.

What If My American Family Insurance Claim is Denied?

If your insurance claim is denied, you have a few options. You can appeal the denial by writing a letter explaining why you believe the claim should be approved. You may also file a complaint with the state insurance department if American Family Insurance acts in bad faith. However, the best step is to hire an auto insurance claims attorney to help you decide if a lawsuit or other action is necessary.

Don’t Wait. Contact Our Seattle Auto Insurance Lawyers

Emerald City Law Group is ready to help. Call us today for a free consultation. We will advise you about the American Family Insurance claim process and how to get the compensation you deserve.

Emerald City Law Group Will:

  • Listen to your story and explain your options.
  • Investigate what happened in your accident.
  • Communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf.
  • Negotiate a fair settlement and full settlement.
  • File a lawsuit and take your case to court, if necessary.
  • Keep you updated throughout your case.

Insurance Claim Lawyers Serving Washington – Free Consultations 24/7

Emerald City Law Group provides Seattle and the greater Washington area with high-caliber legal representation for those injured in auto accidents. Let us explain how to best handle an American Family insurance claim after your accident.

Seattle – Local Areas Served

  • King County – Bellevue, Auburn, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Carnation, Duvall, Issaquah, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Seattle, & Woodinville
  • Snohomish County – Everett, Lynnwood, and Marysville.
  • Pierce County – Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and Lakewood
    • Greater Washington

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