I was in a car accident. The insurance company made me an offer that I consider too low. Can I refuse it and ask for more compensation?

Yes, but the issue must be addressed with care and, above all, based on a correct quantification of the damage. The amount proposed by the insurance company does not automatically represent the definitive measure of what is owed to the damaged party. The offer must be evaluated in light of the dynamics of the accident, the liability, the material damages to the vehicle, any personal injuries, the medical documentation, any permanent consequences, the expenses incurred, and any other legally recognizable heads of damage. In matters of civil liability arising from vehicle circulation, the law provides specific procedures for requesting and settling compensation, and the company, where the conditions are met, must formulate an offer within the time limits established by law. IVASS specifies that the deadline is generally 60 days for property and vehicle damages and 90 days for personal injuries. (IVASS⁠) If the proposed sum does not seem adequate, the damaged party may contest the quantification and request that the damage be reassessed, providing the necessary documentation to demonstrate the actual extent of the consequences suffered. Special attention should be paid to personal injuries: an apparently modest compensation may depend, for example, on a medical-legal assessment that does not adequately consider the duration of the illness, temporary consequences, any permanent sequelae, or other components of the damage. It is also necessary to verify the appraisal, estimates, invoices, commercial value, and the appropriateness of repairs for damages to the vehicle. The damaged party also has the right to access the documents in the accident file that concern them, including, within the limits provided, appraisals, testimonial statements, documentation related to damages, and assessments made by the company. (IVASS⁠) Before accepting a sum, therefore, it is advisable to carefully verify what it includes and what effects acceptance will produce. If the proposal does not correspond to the actual extent of the damage, it may be necessary to formulate a reasoned objection, supplement the documentation, and proceed to the correct quantification of the amounts owed. In case of a dispute with the company, there are also complaint mechanisms and, for certain disputes, alternative resolution procedures. From January 15, 2026, the Insurance Arbiter will also be operational, to whom, in the cases provided, the damaged party can also turn directly against the insurance company after having submitted a claim to the company. (IVASS⁠) In conclusion, if the insurance offers “little money,” the answer is not simply to accept or refuse: one must first understand how much the damage is really worth. A serious assessment of the insurance, medical, and technical documentation can allow one to verify whether the offer is indeed adequate or if there are further amounts to claim. In the presence of personal injuries or a economically significant damage, it is therefore advisable to have the entire accident file examined before signing a definitive settlement of the dispute.