Insurance Claims in Arizona

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in Arizona can be a stressful process. Every policy is different, and insurance companies may not pay you what you deserve. In many cases, hiring an insurance claim lawyer is necessary. This page breaks down the nuances of different types of insurance claims.

What Is a Property Insurance Claim?

A homeowner’s insurance policy is an agreement to protect the home from damage under specific occurrences. When you as a policyholder suffer a loss, you should find a dedicated Arizona property insurance lawyer. Your legal advocate works on your claim to ensure that you receive the benefits necessary to repair or rebuild your Arizona property.

If the insurer denies coverage or delays, policyholders should consult a property insurance attorney about a bad faith claim. If your claim goes to court and you win, you can often recover your court costs, attorney fees, and coverage benefits. There is also the possibility of recovering more money depending on the state laws under which you file your claim.

What Types Of Damage Claims Apply to Property Insurance?

Specific geographic regions impact the design of insurance policies. For example, Florida property insurance policies have more provisions for hurricanes versus earthquakes. 

Many major insurance claims result from natural disasters. According to the University of Arizona, flash floods, severe weather, landslides, and earthquakes are the top threats to Arizona properties. Because of this, it is important to make sure that you have the right insurance to cover your property. For example, most homeowner’s policies do not cover flood damage. Instead, you can purchase a policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. In addition, earthquakes and landslides also typically require separate policies. You can find further information about this type of insurance through the FEMA website.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Arizona

After you suffer a loss, you must contact your insurer as soon as possible. Taking this step begins the insurance claim process and gets things moving along. You need to notify your insurance company in writing or over the phone. From there, your insurer appoints a claim representative.

What to Expect Afterwards

Waiting on your insurance company to handle your claim can be frustrating. Fortunately, the Arizona Administrative Code sets strict timelines that your insurer must follow. For example, within 10 days of your initial claim, they must provide you with all necessary forms, instructions, and assistance. Furthermore, within 15 business days after you file a proof of loss form, they must either accept, deny, or provide notice that they need additional investigation time. Investigations must conclude within 30 days unless there is a valid reason that they will take longer.

Even if your insurer meets all of their deadlines, you may not agree with their decision. If your insurance company denies your claim or offers an unacceptable settlement amount, you still have options. Some claimants choose to hire their own adjuster to assess the damages. With this information, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit against your insurer. Another option is to submit a complaint to the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. Regardless of your situation, it may be helpful to speak with an Arizona insurance attorney about your specific circumstances.

What Is an Auto Insurance Claim?

Auto insurance claims involve requesting compensation from an auto insurer after an accident. Car accidents are incredibly stressful, especially if there are uncooperative responsible parties. However, your insurer’s job is to work on your behalf to secure compensation for repairs, injuries and other expenses.

What Do You Do After a Car Accident?

Arizona law requires a police report for car accidents that involve injuries or damages over $1,000. However, unlike most states, there is no requirement for you to file this report. Instead, drivers must call the police and remain at the accident scene until they arrive. The police then have 24 hours to file the accident report. Even if you think the damage is under $1,000, it doesn’t hurt to call the police and have them come out to the scene. Their report can provide valuable evidence if there is a future dispute about fault.

Your next step will be to file an insurance claim. According to Bankrate, Arizona, like most states, follows the fault insurance doctrine. This means that the at fault driver’s insurance will pay for the damages. In some cases, you may be able to file a claim directly with the other driver’s insurance company. However, you can also file through your own insurance and have them deal with the other parties. Even with insurance, you may need your own attorney. For example, if you were even slightly at fault, litigation can sometimes be necessary to determine shared fault percentages.

Auto Claims Adjuster

Your auto insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to your claim report. Your adjuster acts as your representation in any mediation between you and all other involved parties. This insurance representative bears responsibility for investigating the claim and seeing that you receive compensation for any repairs or injuries.

Whether there are repair claims, personal injury claims, or you are dealing with someone who does not have insurance, your auto insurance adjuster should see you through the process. Your claims adjuster may recommend a garage to handle your vehicle repairs. They may also make arrangements for a rental vehicle if required. The most important thing to note is that your auto claim adjuster is your primary point of contact regarding the status of your claim in Arizona.

Health Insurance Claims

Arizona policyholders file health insurance claims when they seek reimbursement for medical services or treatments. When you obtain a medical service from a provider, your health insurance carrier should be notified directly. If there are any discrepancies in your claim, consider hiring a health insurance claim specialist attorney.

How Do You File a Health Claim in Arizona?

There are two ways to file a health insurance claim on your behalf. The first is the medical facility notifies your insurer for you. You may be able to walk out of the facility without spending anything, but that depends on your policy. The other way is to file a health insurance claim yourself. Taking this route can occur when a health provider you use is not in your provider network. The facility may still file the claim on your behalf, but you may need to file it yourself.

Whether the claim comes from you or your doctor, the claims process is the same. The insurance company will tell you how much of the cost they will cover and how much you will owe out of pocket. In addition, Arizona law requires the insurer to inform you of their decision within 30 days. If the insurance company denies your claim, you have several options. According to CoverageRights.org, the first step is generally an internal review. This can be as simple as calling the insurance company. If that does not produce results, you may need to follow the formal appeal process that your policy spells out. If that fails, you may have external administrative or even judicial options. At any point in this process, it can be helpful to consult with an Arizona insurance attorney.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Arizona

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Arizona insurance claim attorney’s help. An insurance claim attorney can help if you have been improperly denied coverage or sent a bill for a service you never received. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Arizona state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!