Insurance Claims in Michigan
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Michigan 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 Michigan property insurance lawyer. Your legal advocate works on your claim to ensure that you receive the benefits necessary to repair or rebuild your Michigan 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.
Michigan is fairly insulated from some of the severe weather that affects many other states. While flooding and tornadoes are not unheard of, they do not typically pose a significant threat. Because of this, The Insurance Information Institute reports that Michigan residents enjoy some of the lower premiums in the country. The majority of Michigan property claims arise from theft or fires, which most standard homeowners insurance policies should cover.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in 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
Once you file a claim, your insurer will typically assign an adjuster to determine the extent of the damages. They will then estimate the cost of repairs using standard rates for contractors in your area. Under Michigan law, the insurer has 30 days to provide you with forms and instructions for proving your loss. Once they have valid proof of loss, they typically must pay you within 60 days.
If the insurance company denies your claim, or if you think the settlement is unfair, you have a few options. The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services recommends first trying to work things out directly with your insurer. However, if that fails, you can file a complaint with the Department. A Michigan insurance attorney may be able to help you prepare the best evidence for your claim.
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 Michigan statute, if your accident results in any injuries or the total damage is more than $1,000, you must inform the police. Unlike some states, Michigan does not require that you file a police report. However, you must immediately notify the nearest police station or police officer. To help enforce this rule, Michigan also requires mechanics to report any vehicles that appear to have collision damage.
You will also need to call your insurance company. The State of Michigan requires all drivers to carry basic no-fault insurance. This policy will cover your injuries, wage loss, and some property damage, regardless of the cause of the accident. However, these policies do not typically cover damage to vehicles, either yours or the other driver’s. For vehicle coverage, you would need to purchase optional collision insurance.
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 Michigan.
Health Insurance Claims
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 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 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.
Some insurance companies require that you pre-approve treatments before getting them. However, you should never have to unreasonably delay necessary healthcare to wait for authorization from your insurance company. Fortunately, the Michigan Health and Hospital Association reports that new legislation will go into effect in June 2023. The law will shorten timelines for pre-authorizations and ensure that emergency care will not be subject to pre-approval.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Michigan
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Michigan 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!
