Insurance Claims in Lansing, MI
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Lansing, Michigan 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 Lansing, Michigan 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.
Lansing property owners face a variety of severe weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and earthquakes. However, World Population Review reports that these events happen less frequently and less severely in Michigan than in other states. This factor contributes to the relatively low insurance premiums that Michigan residents pay. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute ranked the State of Michigan 35th in the country for average homeowners’ insurance premiums. However, policy premiums don’t typically cover flooding. Consequently, Lansing property owners must purchase flood insurance separately through the National Flood Insurance Program.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Lansing, Michigan
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
If you have experienced property damage due to a natural disaster, it is critical that the claims process goes quickly and smoothly. Moreover, you need to receive compensation in a timely fashion. Under Michigan law, your carrier has 30 days to provide you with proof-of-loss forms and instructions. Your carrier will also send out an adjuster to determine the total repair cost of your damages. Finally, the insurer must pay the settlement within 60 days of receiving valid proof-of-loss.
Keep in mind, the insurer may deny your claim, or may offer you an insufficient settlement. In this case, Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) recommends resolving the dispute through your insurer’s internal appeals process. If this fails, you can file a complaint with the DIFS. Keep in mind, a Lansing insurance attorney can help you determine if a lawsuit is a viable next step.
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?
If you are in a car accident in Lansing, you should call 911 immediately for medical assistance. In fact, under Michigan statute, Lansing drivers must notify the Lansing Police Department for all collisions involving injuries, fatalities, or property damage of $1,000 or more. You can also notify the Michigan Highway Patrol or the Ingham County Sheriff, if the accident occurs outside city limits. Once you’ve notified law enforcement, your next call should be to your insurance agent.
Michigan law requires Lansing drivers to have no-fault car insurance. If you are in a collision in Lansing, your insurance pays for injuries to people. However, it does not pay for damage to cars, except for properly parked cars. Instead, you must buy additional collision coverage, since the other driver’s insurance will not pay for damage to your car.
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 Lansing.
Health Insurance Claims
Lansing, Michigan 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 Lansing, Michigan?
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.
According to WILX-TV, Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is prioritizing coronavirus-related health insurance appeals. The DIFS Director stated that all Michigan consumers have the right to an independent external review if their health insurance claim is denied. Specifically, the DIFS reviews claims for eligibility under the Patient’s Right to Independent Review Act. Additionally, those claims with urgent health needs with Covid-19 treatment denials are being given priority.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Lansing, Michigan.
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Lansing 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 Michigan 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!
