Insurance Claims in Des Moines, IA
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Des Moines, Iowa 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 Des Moines, Iowa 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 Iowa Department of Insurance provides an online guide for residents of Des Moines to file claims after a disaster, such as a damaging storm. Storm damage from tornadoes, high winds, rainfall, and loose debris are common property claims in Iowa. KCCI Des Moines reports that a strong thunderstorm recently caused the collapse of a building on 30th street. It was also reported that a tornado touched down during the same event.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Des Moines, Iowa
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 confirms that insurance companies in Des Moines have a total of 75 days to pay a legitimate claim. This process is generally broken down into 3 steps, but it is important to remember that it is a process. First, the company is given 15 days to acknowledge receipt of your claim, and provide you with the proper paperwork to move forward. Then the company will have 30 days to approve or deny the claim. Finally, once your claim receives approval, the company will have 30 days to pay the claim.
However, there are instances of insurance companies dragging out the process, or refusing to pay legitimate claims. This is what is called acting in “bad faith”. The Des Moines Register reports that the Science Center is actively engaged in a lawsuit with its insurance company over bad faith actions. If you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith, you should contact an experienced attorney in Des Moines.
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 Iowa State Bar provides the steps you should take if you are involved in a car accident in Des Moines. You should never admit fault at the scene, fault is a matter for the insurance companies and the courts, if necessary. You should:
- Stop the car- never flee the scene of an accident
- Aid anyone who may be injured
- Call the police
- Gather information from those involved in the accident
- Gather information from witnesses and bystanders
Once you have given your statement to the Des Moines Police Department, you should contact your insurance agent. Make sure to share all the information you gathered, including the name and badge number of the officer at the scene.
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 Des Moines.
Health Insurance Claims
Des Moines, Iowa 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 Des Moines, Iowa?
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.
Any Des Moines resident using Medicaid can file a health insurance claim via the online portal provided by the Iowa Department of Human Services or the Iowa Medicaid Exchange. This can seem daunting at times, especially if you are accustomed to your medical provider filing on your behalf. Make sure to pay close attention, as there are different forms to file for different claims. You will generally receive an itemized bill, detailing the treatments and services you received. However, if you believe your health insurance provider is acting in “bad faith”, you may want to contact an experienced attorney in Des Moines.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Des Moines, Iowa.
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Des Moines 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 Iowa 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!
