Insurance Claims in Bellingham, WA

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in Bellingham, Washington can be a stressful process. Every policy is different, and insurance companies may not pay you what you deserve. In some cases, hiring an insurance claim attorney 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 Bellingham, Washington property insurance lawyer. Your legal advocate works on your claim to ensure that you receive the benefits necessary to repair or rebuild your 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.

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner for Washington provides an overview for insurance claims in the state. Washington’s Climate Index states that residents of Bellingham can expect more than twice the amount of annual rainfall as compared to the rest of the U.S. As such, claims for water damage can be frequent. In addition, there are many claims filed due to storm damage, such as high winds and hail.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Bellingham, Washington

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

WalletHub states that insurance companies have 45 working days in which to pay out the legitimate claims for residents of Bellingham. They have 10 days to acknowledge the claim. This process generally entails the company contacting you, and providing you with paperwork to file and move the claim forward. The company then has 15 working days to approve or deny the claim. Finally, there is a period of 20 days in which they must pay the claim. Remember, this process may be prolonged if the company asks for further proof, such as pictures or statements.

Still, there have been cases of insurance companies acting in “bad faith”. This occurs when a company drags out the process, or outright refuses to pay a legitimate claim. Consumer Rights in Washington makes this type of behavior illegal. If you feel a company is acting in “bad faith”, you should seek the counsel of an experienced attorney in Bellingham.

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?

The Attorney General of Washington encourages you to report any accident that totals over $500 in damage to both the police and your insurance company. You must never flee the scene of an accident, even though you may experience stress and trauma. Pull your car to the side of the road, and check yourself for injuries. Check anyone involved for injuries as well. You should then gather information from both bystanders and those involved in the accident. This should include:

• Name, addresses, and phone numbers of anyone there

• Drivers license numbers and license plate numbers of those involved

• Insurance information of those involved

• Registered owner of all vehicles involved

If you give your statement to a Bellingham Police Officer, you should also record the name and badge number of the officer.

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 Bellingham.

Health Insurance Claims

Bellingham, Washington 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 become 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 Bellingham, Washington?

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.

The Washington State Healthcare Authority provides an online portal that simplifies filing a healthcare claim for those living in Bellingham. It’s important to remember that filing claims and receiving payment is a process, and may not move as swiftly as one would like. This is especially true due to the burden that Covid-19 pandemic put on medical facilities, and healthcare providers. In fact, the Bellingham Herald reports that there are several backups in the medical systems for the city due to the overflow caused by Covid-19. This could potentially delay your claims process.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Bellingham, Washington.

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Bellingham 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 Washington 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!