Insurance Claims in Columbia, SC

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in Columbia, South Carolina 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 Columbia, South Carolina 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.

Most Columbia homeowners are aware of the damage risks from hurricanes and severe thunderstorms. However, the Insurance Journal reports that earthquakes are also an increasing concern. As with flood damage, earthquake damage is typically not part of a standard homeowners insurance policy. Therefore, you may need to consider specific flood and earthquake coverage for your property.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Columbia, South Carolina

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

Once you alert your insurance company about a loss, they cannot unreasonably delay the claims process. Under South Carolina’s Claims Practices laws, the insurer has 20 days to provide you with the forms you need to establish proof of loss. In addition, insurance companies must respond to your communications promptly and follow reasonable standards for the prompt investigation and settlement of claims.

If you disagree with the initial settlement offer, you can utilize your policy’s appraisal process. However, further disagreement may require outside help. The South Carolina Department of Insurance accepts consumer complaints and may investigate allegations of unfair claims practices. In addition, a Columbia insurance attorney can help you determine if your situation warrants filing a lawsuit.

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 South Carolina law, you must immediately call the police after an accident involving any injuries or deaths. In addition, it is a good idea to also involve the police if there are any significant damages, even though this is not mandatory. Furthermore, the law requires a written accident report for accidents involving property damage over $1,000 or any injuries. If the police respond to the scene, they will file this report. However, if there is no police investigation, you must file a collision report with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days of the accident.

It is also important to immediately notify your insurance company. Like most states, South Carolina insurance is fault-based. Therefore, the at-fault driver’s insurance should pay for damages. In addition, South Carolina statute requires that your policy include an uninsured motorist provision. This will provide some coverage if the at-fault driver does not have insurance.

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 Columbia.

Health Insurance Claims

Columbia, South Carolina 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 Columbia, South Carolina?

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.

Your insurer will determine if your policy covers the treatment that your doctor recommends. Typically, the main criteria are whether the treatment is medically necessary, the provider is qualified to administer it, and the policy does not specifically exclude it. However, sometimes other factors come into play. For example, a recent WSPA News article reports that some insurers are denying mental health claims for students receiving their treatment at school.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina.

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Columbia 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 South Carolina 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!

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