Insurance Claims in Chattanooga, TN
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Chattanooga, Tennessee 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 Chattanooga, Tennessee 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.
Kiplinger Media ranked Tennessee 3rd on their list of the top ten states with the biggest estimated property losses from disasters. Specifically, Chattanooga homeowners face powerful wind, hail, winter storms, tornadoes, and floods. In fact, the estimated property damage in Tennessee between 2006 and 2015 is $5.2 billion.
Additionally, Local 3 News reports that it is advisable to get a second opinion when dealing with damage from disasters like tornadoes. In fact, a public adjuster recommends asking the insurance company to do a second inspection, with a different adjuster. Moreover, it is advisable to get a third party report from a public adjuster who doesn’t work for the insurer.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Chattanooga, Tennessee
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
Unlike some states, Tennessee does not mandate a specific amount of time in which insurers must settle a property claim. According to WalletHub, Tennessee law requires insurers to settle claims with “reasonable promptness”. According to UPhelp, it normally takes an insurance company that operates in good faith a day or two to inspect the loss site. Additionally, it normally takes between 30-60 days to settle the claim.
If you suspect your insurer is operating in bad faith, you may have the option to sue for payment. However, many insurance policies allow only one year to file a lawsuit, compared to the regular six years for breach of contract. An experienced Chattanooga insurance attorney can help you determine the best course of action in your situation.
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?
Under Tennessee Code, you must notify the Chattanooga Police Department immediately if the accident results in injury, death, or property damage of $50 or more. The law also specifies you must use the quickest means of communication. However, if the accident occurs outside of Chattanooga, you can notify the Hamilton County Sheriff or the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Once you’ve contacted the police, you should take copious photos, gather information, and contact your insurance provider. Remember to obtain a copy of the police report. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, you can purchase a crash report online or in person at the District 2 Chattanooga Highways Patrol Office.
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 Chattanooga.
Health Insurance Claims
Chattanooga, Tennessee 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 Chattanooga, Tennessee?
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.
According to the Tennessean, TennCare has erased coverage for 128,000 children in the state. TennCare is a massive Medicaid program that provides essential healthcare coverage for children of low-income families. For example, a six-year-old Tennessee boy with autism lost access to critical therapy and treatment when he was cut from TennCare insurance. State officials said the programs pruned enrollment because the children no longer qualified or their families did not respond to mandatory renewal forms.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Chattanooga 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 Tennessee 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!
