Insurance Claims in Fort Wayne, IN
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Fort Wayne, Indiana 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 Fort Wayne, Indiana 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 Indiana Department of Insurance encourages all homeowners in Fort Wayne to purchase homeowner’s insurance to protect what is generally their most valuable asset. Damage claims from thunderstorms, wind and hail, and fire and lightning are all fairly common in claims filed by Fort Wayne residents. Although the state is not part of “tornado alley”, there are still risks of tornadoes for residents of Indiana.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Fort Wayne, Indiana
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 Fort Wayne are under no specific time constraints when it comes to paying a claim. The letter of the law states that an insurance company is required to pay a legitimate claim in a “timely manner”, but there is no definition of what this time period may be. It’s important for you to remember that receiving payment for a claim is a process, and can be drawn out for legitimate reasons, such as the insurance company asking for more proof of damage, or sending an investigator for a second inspection.
However, there are instances of insurance companies acting in “bad faith”. This occurs when the company purposely drags out the process in an attempt to lessen the claim, or negate it entirely. Indiana Code prevents any insurance provider in Fort Wayne from operating in this manner.
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 Fort Wayne Police Department keeps an active log of auto accidents in the city. They also keep record of the highly trafficked areas where they generally occur. If you find yourself in a car accident you must try and remain calm. Pull your car to the side of the road and alert the police and medical services. Check yourself for injuries, and check anyone else who may have been involved in the accident.
You should gather as much information as you can from those present. Take down the names, license plates, and insurance information of anyone involved in the crash. You should also take down witness statements if any are present. Give your statement to the Fort Wayne Police Officer or Indiana State Trooper that arrives on the scene, and make sure to take down the name and badge number of the officer. Finally, contact your insurance agent. You should alert them to the crash, and pass on all the information you gather.
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 Fort Wayne.
Health Insurance Claims
Fort Wayne, Indiana 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 Fort Wayne, Indiana?
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 healthcare claim for yourself can at times be challenging, especially considering most allow their medical provider to file on their behalf. When you file you will generally receive an itemized bill for the services and treatments you’ve received. Please pay close attention to the bill to make sure you are not being charged for a service that was not rendered. WANE provides a look at the transparency, or lack thereof, of certain medical providers in Fort Wayne.
The Indiana Department of Insurance has also provided a dedicated website for the resolution of healthcare claims. If you feel your healthcare provider is operating in “bad faith”, you should seek out the counsel of an experienced attorney in Fort Wayne.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Fort Wayne 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 Indiana 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!
