Detailed Answer

Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a licensed Minnesota attorney about your specific situation.

If an insurance company denies payment for injuries after a minor motor-vehicle accident in Minnesota, the typical path forward has clear, practical steps. Below is a plain-language roadmap you can follow to understand your options, preserve rights, and decide whether to appeal internally, file a regulatory complaint, or pursue a lawsuit.

1. Read the denial carefully and note deadlines

Insurers must send a written denial or explanation. Read it for the reason the claim was denied, any next-step instructions, and any stated timelines to appeal internally. Also note that Minnesota law and court rules impose time limits on when you can bring a claim in court. For the exact statutory deadlines and to confirm how they apply to your case, check the Minnesota Statutes at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/. If you miss a deadline, you can lose the right to sue.

2. Gather and preserve evidence

Collect all documents and records related to the accident and your injuries. Important items include:

• Policy documents and declarations page.
• The insurer’s denial letter and all claim correspondence.
• Accident photos and vehicle damage photos.
• Police crash report (if any).
• Medical records and bills, clinic notes, imaging, physical therapy records, and any statements about limitations or disability.
• Names and contact details of witnesses.
• Repair estimates and receipts.

Keep originals and make organized copies. The insurer’s file (the claim file) may contain notes or recorded statements that matter. You can request a copy — see step 4.

3. Review your insurance policy and coverages

Understand what coverages apply: first-party medical coverage (personal injury protection or medical payments), third-party liability (the other driver’s liability), and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Some denials occur because the insurer says a particular coverage does not apply or limits apply. Confirm which coverage the carrier relied on in denying the claim and whether any policy limits or exclusions apply.

4. Ask for the insurer’s claim file and a detailed explanation

Write a short, dated letter or email asking the company to provide the full claim file, including notes, recorded statements, medical bills it reviewed, and the specific policy provisions the company used to justify the denial. Minnesota’s Department of Commerce can guide how to make such requests and may have consumer tools — see https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/. Keep copies of your requests and the insurer’s responses.

5. Use the insurer’s internal appeal process

Many insurers have an internal appeal procedure. The denial letter will often explain how to appeal and any timelines. Submit a concise appeal packet that includes:

• A cover letter stating why you disagree with the denial.
• Copies of medical records or a treating provider’s statement tying your treatment to the crash.
• Accident evidence (photos, police report, witness statements).
• Any policy language that supports your claim.

Be polite, focus on facts, and request a written decision. Because internal appeals have limited authority, the next steps (regulatory complaint or litigation) are often necessary when the insurer sticks to the denial.

6. File a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Commerce

If the insurer refuses to pay and you think the denial is unfair or violates state insurance rules, you can file a consumer complaint with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The Department investigates complaints and may facilitate responses from the insurer. Learn more and file at the Commerce site: https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/.

7. Consider alternative dispute resolution required by your policy

Some policies include appraisal, arbitration, or mediation clauses for disputes. Check your policy for required steps and timelines. If the policy requires arbitration, you may have to start there before filing a court action.

8. When to send a demand letter

If you have persuasive medical evidence and documented damages, send a written demand to the insurer that summarizes the facts, injuries, treatment, bills, and the amount you are requesting. Give a reasonable deadline for response. A clear demand often prompts settlement discussions.

9. Prepare for court if necessary

If the insurer refuses to pay after internal appeal and regulatory complaint, or if deadlines are approaching, you may need to file a lawsuit. For a minor-accident injury, options include small-claims court (for limited dollar amounts) or district court. The Minnesota Judicial Branch site has court filing information: https://www.mncourts.gov/. Before filing, confirm applicable statute of limitations and procedural rules at the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/.

10. Consider hiring an attorney

Talk with a Minnesota personal-injury attorney if the insurer’s position is complex, if medical bills are significant, or if the other driver’s liability is disputed. An attorney can evaluate strength of the case, handle negotiations, and file suit if needed. Many attorneys offer free consults and work on contingency (they are paid from any recovery).

Special Minnesota considerations

• Department of Commerce: The Department handles insurance consumer complaints and can be a helpful resource (https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/).
• Medical treatment: Seek treatment early. Gaps in care can be used to deny or devalue claims.
• Documentation: Minnesota insurers rely heavily on medical records and contemporaneous evidence. Keep thorough records.

When an insurer’s denial may be unlawful

If the insurer denied your claim for reasons that look arbitrary, inconsistent with policy language, or without a reasonable investigation, the Department of Commerce may intervene. In some cases, insurers that violate Minnesota insurance laws or handling rules may be subject to penalties or forced to reconsider claims.

Summary checklist

• Read the denial and note any appeal deadline.
• Gather photos, medical records, police report, and witnesses.
• Request the insurer’s claim file and a full explanation in writing.
• Start the insurer’s internal appeal process promptly.
• File a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Commerce if needed (https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/).
• Consider mediation, arbitration, or court if the claim remains denied.
• Consult a Minnesota attorney for complex disputes or litigation.

Helpful Links

• Minnesota Statutes (full text): https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/
• Minnesota Department of Commerce — Consumer & Insurance Help: https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/
• Minnesota Judicial Branch (filing & court info): https://www.mncourts.gov/