Insurance Claims in Indiana
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Indiana can be a stressful process. Every policy is different, and insurance companies may not pay you what you deserve. In many cases, hiring an insurance claim lawyer 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 Indiana property insurance lawyer. Your legal advocate works on your claim to ensure that you receive the benefits necessary to repair or rebuild your Indiana 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.
Thunderstorms, heavy winds, tornadoes, and snowfall are regular occurrences in Indiana. The National Weather Service also reports several instances of flooding from wintry mixes and heavy rains. No matter how well you prepare your home, any of these elements can make repairs necessary. Accordingly, the Indiana Department of Insurance recommends keeping your policy updated. Taking this step becomes especially crucial after renovations or other investments into your house.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in 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
The Indiana Department of Insurance offers some tips for handling a property claim. A few of the critical recommendations include:
- Read and understand your policy
- Document all correspondence
- Ask plenty of questions
- Don’t rush into accepting a settlement
Another concern to keep in mind is the cost of any temporary repairs. As you work with an insurance adjuster, there may be short-term measures that need to happen. If this becomes necessary, keep close track of any receipts or invoices. The final step, negotiating the settlement, will need to factor these costs into an offer from your carrier.
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?
Indiana law establishes clear expectations for how someone involved in a car accident should respond. First, you should stop at the scene or as close as possible. If any parties need medical attention, call 911 immediately. Otherwise, call the police to report the incident and exchange insurance information.
Within ten days of the accident, you have to submit a Report of Incident to the BMV. You will have to document critical elements like where it happened, injuries suffered, and registration information. It’s also necessary to collect the investigating police officer’s name and badge number. Failing to take this step can only further complicate your legal concerns, regardless of fault.
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 Indiana.
Health Insurance Claims
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 be 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 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.
Local news stations report that Hoosiers often pay more for their care in local hospitals. A study by Ball State confirms that monopolies have led to paying hundreds more than other states. Beyond the increased costs, there’s also the concern of having your claims denied. During negotiations, you may want legal counsel by your side to push for a solution that doesn’t result in a lawsuit.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Indiana
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Indiana 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!
