Insurance Claims in Everett, WA

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in Everett, Washington 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 Everett, Washington 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 KNKX, much of Washington is especially vulnerable to landslides. However, only a handful of Washington homeowners’ insurance policies will cover landslide disasters. In fact, the typical Washington homeowner’s policy specifically excludes coverage for damage caused by “earth movement”, including landslides. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner of Washington State recommends buying either content coverage, or separate earth-movement coverage. As well, floods are not covered so Everett homeowners must buy flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program. Keep in mind, flood insurance may apply to some kinds of earth movement, such as water-related erosion, mudflows, and flash floods.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Everett, Washington

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

The Washington State Insurance Commissioner (WSIC) advises that before you file a claim, you should make sure the claim is worthwhile. This is because insurers generally consider your claims history when deciding to continue covering you or adjusting your premiums. After you file a claim, the insurer will send an adjuster to determine the damage. Under Washington State law, every insurer must complete its investigation of a claim within 30 days after notification of the claim. In addition, all persons involved in the investigation must provide reasonable assistance to the insurer to ensure compliance with the time limit.

Once the investigation is complete, the insurer will make a settlement offer. Keep in mind, you do not have to accept this offer if you believe it is incorrect or was made in bad faith. In addition to an internal appeals process, you can file a consumer complaint with the WSIC. Furthermore, it is advisable to consult with an experienced Everett insurance attorney to determine if there are grounds for 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 Washington State law, a crash report is mandatory for car accidents in Everett involving injuries, death, or at least $1,000 in property damage. However, the law does not prohibit you from filing a report if damage is less than $1,000. In any case, you should contact the Everett Police Department if the accident occurs in the city. The Washington State Patrol will accept reports online within 4 days of the accident. If the police respond to the accident scene, they will typically file the report.

The next step is to contact your insurance company. According to WalletHub, Washington is an at-fault state. This means that the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for the damages. However, Washington also allows Everett drivers to add no-fault Personal Injury Protection to their insurance policy. This can speed up coverage of your medical expenses while the determination of fault is made.

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 Everett.

Health Insurance Claims

Everett, Washington 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 Everett, Washington?

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.

The cost of health care can be shockingly high, even when you have insurance. Vice tells the true story of an Everett woman who broke her spine on vacation when her car flipped on black ice. Her doctor told her she could either fly to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas for an MRI, since driving would be bad for her spine. She returned home to a $60,000 bill because Blue Cross Blue Shield decided the plane trip was elective. She appealed four times, and the ER doctor clarified that the air ambulance was medically necessary. While the appeals happened, the bill gathered interest and grew to over $75,000. All appeals were denied, and she had to declare bankruptcy.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Everett, Washington.

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Everett 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 Washington 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!