California UM/UIM Insurance Denial Demand Letter

[YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [CITY, STATE ZIP] [YOUR PHONE NUMBER] [YOUR EMAIL] [DATE] VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED [INSURANCE COMPANY NAME] [CLAIMS DEPARTMENT] [INSURER ADDRESS] [CITY, STATE ZIP] Re: Demand for Payment of UM/UIM Benefits Insured: [YOUR NAME] Policy No.: [POLICY NUMBER] Claim No.: [CLAIM NUMBER] Date of Loss: [DATE OF ACCIDENT] Dear Claims Manager: I am writing to formally demand payment of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist benefits under the above-referenced automobile insurance policy. As detailed below, [INSURANCE COMPANY NAME] has failed to fairly evaluate and pay my valid UM/UIM claim, in violation of California Insurance Code Section 11580.2 and the duty of good faith and fair dealing. FACTUAL BACKGROUND On [DATE OF ACCIDENT], at approximately [TIME], I was operating my [YEAR, MAKE, MODEL] vehicle on [STREET/HIGHWAY] in [CITY], California. The at-fault driver, [AT-FAULT DRIVER NAME], operating a [DESCRIPTION OF OTHER VEHICLE], [DESCRIBE HOW ACCIDENT OCCURRED - e.g., ran a red light and collided with the driver's side of my vehicle / rear-ended my vehicle while I was stopped at a traffic light / crossed into my lane and struck my vehicle head-on]. The collision was caused solely by the negligence of [AT-FAULT DRIVER NAME], as documented in the police report, Report No. [POLICE REPORT NUMBER]. The at-fault driver was cited for [VIOLATION, IF ANY]. Investigation has confirmed that the at-fault driver [was uninsured at the time of the accident / carried liability insurance with limits of only $[AMOUNT], which is insufficient to compensate me for my damages]. This triggers my UM/UIM coverage under my policy with [INSURANCE COMPANY NAME]. POLICY COVERAGE My automobile insurance policy, Policy No. [POLICY NUMBER], was in full force and effect on the date of the accident. I have paid all premiums and have complied with all policy conditions, including timely notice of the claim. The policy provides UM/UIM coverage with limits of [COVERAGE LIMITS - e.g., $100,000 per person / $300,000 per occurrence]. Under California Insurance Code Section 11580.2, UM coverage is mandatory in California and must be included in every automobile liability policy unless validly waived in writing on a form specified by the statute. No such waiver exists for my policy. MY INJURIES AND TREATMENT As a direct and proximate result of this collision, I sustained the following injuries: [LIST INJURIES - e.g., - Cervical disc herniation at C5-C6 - Lumbar strain/sprain - Left shoulder rotator cuff tear - Post-traumatic headaches - Anxiety and sleep disturbance] I received emergency treatment at [HOSPITAL NAME] on the date of the accident. Since then, I have undergone extensive medical treatment including: [DESCRIBE TREATMENT - e.g., - Orthopedic evaluation and treatment with Dr. [NAME] - MRI of cervical and lumbar spine - 36 sessions of physical therapy - Pain management with epidural steroid injections - Ongoing treatment for persistent symptoms] My treating physicians have documented that all of my injuries were caused by this accident and that I will require future medical treatment including [DESCRIBE EXPECTED FUTURE TREATMENT]. DAMAGES My documented damages are as follows: MEDICAL EXPENSES: Emergency room and ambulance: $[AMOUNT] [PROVIDER NAME] - Orthopedic care: $[AMOUNT] [IMAGING CENTER] - MRI studies: $[AMOUNT] [PHYSICAL THERAPY PROVIDER]: $[AMOUNT] [ADDITIONAL PROVIDERS]: $[AMOUNT] Prescription medications: $[AMOUNT] Future medical care (per Dr. [NAME]): $[AMOUNT] __________ TOTAL MEDICAL EXPENSES: $[TOTAL MEDICAL] LOST WAGES: I was unable to work from [START DATE] to [END DATE], a period of [NUMBER] weeks. My average weekly earnings were $[AMOUNT], as verified by my employer. Total lost wages: $[TOTAL LOST WAGES] PAIN AND SUFFERING: I have experienced and continue to experience significant physical pain, including daily discomfort rated [X]/10, difficulty sleeping, and limitations on my daily activities. I am no longer able to [DESCRIBE ACTIVITIES YOU CANNOT DO]. I have also suffered emotional distress including anxiety about driving and depression related to my diminished quality of life. Based on the severity and permanence of my injuries, my pain and suffering damages are valued at $[AMOUNT]. TOTAL DAMAGES: $[GRAND TOTAL] [IF UIM CLAIM: Less amount received from at-fault driver's policy: ($[AMOUNT]) NET UIM CLAIM: $[NET AMOUNT]] YOUR COMPANY'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF MY CLAIM Despite my timely notice, complete documentation, and clear entitlement to UM/UIM benefits, [INSURANCE COMPANY NAME] has [denied my claim / offered only $[LOW AMOUNT] to settle my claim]. This conduct is unreasonable and constitutes bad faith. [DESCRIBE SPECIFIC BAD FAITH CONDUCT - select and customize as applicable: - Your company denied my claim without conducting a reasonable investigation - Your company ignored the opinions of my treating physicians - Your company relied on a biased IME that contradicts my documented medical records - Your company failed to respond to my claim within the time required by California regulations - Your company offered an amount that no reasonable insurer would believe adequately compensates my injuries - Your company misrepresented the policy coverage to justify the denial] This conduct violates California Insurance Code Section 790.03(h), which prohibits unfair claims settlement practices, and breaches the duty of good faith and fair dealing established by the California Supreme Court in Gruenberg v. Aetna Insurance Co. (1973) 9 Cal.3d 566 and Quintano v. Mercury Casualty Co. (1995) 11 Cal.4th 1049. DEMAND I hereby demand payment of $[DEMAND AMOUNT] within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter. This amount represents fair compensation for my injuries and losses, [less the offset for amounts received from the at-fault driver's insurer if applicable]. If I do not receive satisfactory payment by [DEADLINE DATE - 30 days from letter date], I will take the following actions: 1. Demand binding arbitration pursuant to California Insurance Code Section 11580.2(i) to recover my full UM/UIM benefits up to policy limits; 2. File a bad faith lawsuit in the California Superior Court seeking: - Brandt attorney fees pursuant to Brandt v. Superior Court (1985) 37 Cal.3d 813 - Consequential damages caused by your company's wrongful conduct - Emotional distress damages - Punitive damages pursuant to Civil Code Section 3294 3. File a complaint with the California Department of Insurance documenting your company's unfair claims settlement practices. I urge you to reevaluate this claim fairly and make a reasonable settlement offer. Your company's continued bad faith handling of this claim will only increase your ultimate exposure. Please direct all further communications regarding this claim to the address above [or to my attorney: [ATTORNEY NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE]]. Sincerely, _______________________________ [YOUR NAME] Enclosures: - Medical records and bills (Exhibit A) - Proof of lost wages (Exhibit B) - Police report (Exhibit C) - Photos of injuries and vehicle damage (Exhibit D) - Correspondence with your company (Exhibit E) - Proof of at-fault driver's insurance status (Exhibit F) cc: [YOUR ATTORNEY, IF APPLICABLE] California Department of Insurance (if complaint filed)