Insurance Claims in Chicago, IL

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in Chicago, Illinois 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 Chicago, Illinois 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.

According to the Illinois State Water Survey, there are a number of severe weather hazards that affect Illinois. These include thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods, flash floods, damaging winds, and large hail. Since typical homeowner policies do not cover floods, the Illinois Department of Insurance recommends obtaining coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program. In addition, all Illinois property insurance companies must provide coverage for mine subsidence in mandatory counties. Mine subsidence is the sinking or collapsing of underground mines which can cause damage to property above them. Be aware, Cook County is not a mandatory county. Consequently, you would have to add mine subsidence coverage to your policy if you require it.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Chicago, Illinois

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

According to Wallet Hub, the insurance claim timeline in Illinois requires the following:

• 15 days for the insurer to acknowledge the claim and send you proof-of-loss forms and instructions
• 30 days for the insurer to make the final payment once the claim is approved

However, Illinois law does not mandate a specific time in which the insurer must actually approve or deny the claim. Instead, the law mandates that the claim be approved or denied in “reasonable time”. Keep in mind that the claims process can involve more than one adjuster, and more than one assessment. In fact, the adjuster may need to consult with other specialists, such as plumbers and engineers, to complete the assessment.

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?

According to Illinois Legal Aid, Chicago drivers should take the following steps if they are in a car accident in the city:

• Call 9-11 immediately for assistance from the Chicago Police Department and emergency services

• Warn other drivers by using emergency flashers or flares
• Get the names, contact, information, and drivers’ license numbers of all parties and witnesses to the accident

Additionally, you must file a police report within 30 minutes of the accident if someone was injured or died. Although not required by law, nearly all car insurance contracts require you to report the accident to your insurer very soon after the crash. If you do not report the accident, the insurer may not give you money for property damage or injuries.

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 Chicago.

Health Insurance Claims

Chicago, Illinois 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 Chicago, Illinois?

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.

Dealing with denied claims can be extremely stressful, especially when a sick child is involved. However, Chicago Parent reports that in many cases, insurance claim denials can be successfully appealed and overturned. Under the Illinois Health Carrier External Review Act, Illinois residents with health insurance have the right to an external, independent review of denied health insurance claims. For cases that require immediate insurance approval, such as a child facing cancer treatment, there is an expedited review process. In fact, decisions are required within 72 hours.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois.

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Chicago 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 Illinois 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!