Insurance Claims in Columbus, OH
What are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Columbus, Ohio 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 Columbus, Ohio 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 Ohio Department of Insurance provides an online guide for all homeowners in Columbus to review their policies. The ODOI also encourages every homeowner to be familiar with their policy; what covers, and what it doesn’t. Damage from theft and burglary, fire and lightning, and storms are all common in Columbus. In fact, WBNS 10 reports that several homes were facing damage caused by storms, including wind, hail, and heavy rains.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Columbus, Ohio
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 WalletHub, a Columbus insurance provider has a total of 46 days to pay a legitimate claim. There is a 15 day period when they must acknowledge the claim and provide you with the proper paperwork to move forward. The company will then have 21 days to approve or deny the validity of your claim. Once your claim is approved, the company will have 10 days to pay the claim.
However, you may find a circumstance where your insurance company acts in “bad faith”. This occurs when the company purposely delays payment or draws out the process illegally. If you believe your insurer is acting in bad faith, you may want to seek the counsel of an experienced attorney in Columbus.
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 Ohio State Bar lists tips and procedures to follow if you are involved in an auto accident on a public or private road. You must never flee the scene of an accident, regardless of fault. If you have collided with another car you should gather information from those involved. If you have collided with someone’s property, you should make every endeavor to find them and give them your information.
Inform law enforcement and give your statement to the officer that arrives on the scene. He or she will most likely be with the Columbus Police Department. After this, you should contact your insurance agent. Make sure to provide details, as well as the name and badge number of the officer that took your statement.
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 Columbus.
Health Insurance Claims
Columbus, Ohio 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 Columbus, Ohio?
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.
Filing a health insurance claim for yourself in Columbus can be stressful. This may even be compounded if the claim is mishandled. If you feel that your health insurance company has not acted in good faith, you are urged to file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Insurance. You might also consider seeking out the counsel of an experienced attorney in Columbus to help you navigate a path forward.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Columbus, Ohio.
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Columbus 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 Ohio 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!
