Insurance Claims in Las Cruces, NM

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in Las Cruces, New Mexico 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 Las Cruces, New Mexico 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 States at Risk, more than 1.4 million people in New Mexico are living in areas at elevated risk of wildfire. This represents approximately 70 percent of the state’s population. As well, New Mexico is one of only a few states in the country to see an increase in winter precipitation falling as snow. Furthermore, KRQE News reports that flooding also tops the list of severe weather events that plague the state. Although wildfires are generally covered in homeowner policies, flooding is not. However, a Las Cruces homeowner can buy separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Las Cruces, New Mexico

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

According to Policy Genius, New Mexico does not mandate a specific timeline for claims payment. Specifically, after accepting a claim, there is no set time limit in which insurers must make a payment. However, New Mexico statute does regulate unfair claims practices by insurers in Las Cruces and across the state. Some of the practices that are prohibited include:

• Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation and processing of claims

• Not attempting in good faith to effectuate prompt, fair and equitable settlements of an insured’s claims in which liability has become reasonably clear

• Failing to settle all catastrophic claims within a 90-day period after the assignment of a catastrophic claim number

If your insurer is operating in bad faith, it is advisable to consult with an experienced Las Cruces insurance attorney. They can help you determine if there are grounds to proceed with 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 New Mexico statute, a Las Cruces driver must immediately report a crash if it involves injury, death, or property damage of at least $500. If the accident occurs in the city, you must report it to the Las Cruces Police Department. Otherwise, you can notify the Doña Ana County Sheriff or the New Mexico State Police. You must also file a written report of the accident with the New Mexico Department of Transportation within five days.

Once you’ve notified law enforcement, you should call your insurance agent. According to WalletHub, New Mexico is an at-fault state which means the at-fault driver uses their insurance to pay for the other driver’s damage. Keep in mind, you can only collect accident damages in proportion to your fault in the accident.

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 Las Cruces.

Health Insurance Claims

Las Cruces, New Mexico 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 Las Cruces, New Mexico?

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.

Unfortunately, it can be harder to obtain coverage for mental health treatment than for physical health care. This situation exists despite the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. NPR reports the story of a Las Cruces woman with an eating disorder who faced this problem. She was told by her Medicaid managed-care company that she wasn’t eligible for coverage unless she lost 10 more pounds or was admitted to a psychiatric unit. Eventually, she switched to a plan that paid for treatment, although it continued to be an arduous process to get the treatment approved.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Las Cruces 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 New Mexico 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!