Insurance Claims in Milwaukee, WI
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin residents are no strangers to severe weather. In fact, Wisconsin’s State Climatology Office reports that Wisconsin’s climate includes thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, floods and flash floods, severe winter storms, and wildfires. Since flooding isn’t typically covered, Milwaukee homeowners may elect to buy separate flood coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program. Wisconsin’s Commissioner of Insurance reports that there is generally a 30-days waiting period after you have paid the premium before the coverage is in effect. Consequently, if you need flood insurance it is advisable to purchase it as soon as possible.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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
Wisconsin law requires that your insurer accept or deny your claim within a reasonable amount of time. According to Policy Genius, they must make a payment within 30 days after accepting your homeowner claim. Fortunately, Wisconsin’s Consumer Guide to Settling Property Insurance Claims provides information on what to expect from this process.
For example, you may be responsible for completing a proof-of-loss form to document the damage. Alternatively, the insurer may send an adjuster out to your home before you complete any forms. Additionally, your insurer may be acting in bad faith if they delay the investigation, deny your claim, or offer an unfairly low settlement.
If you are unsatisfied with the results of the internal appeals process, you can file a complaint with the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. Keep in mind, you may have a legal path forward as well. It is advisable to consult with an experienced Milwaukee insurance attorney to determine if you have grounds for 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?
If you are involved in a car accident in Milwaukee, you should be aware of what state law requires of you. Specifically, Wisconsin statute dictates that you must notify the Milwaukee Police if the accident involves injuries, property damage over $1,000, or damage to state property over $200. Be aware, if the police do not file a report, you must notify the Wisconsin Department of Transportation within 10 days of the accident.
Your next call should be to your insurance company. According to Wallethub, Wisconsin is an at-fault automobile insurance state. If you live in Milwaukee, this means that the at-fault driver’s insurance pays for all damages. Consequently, it is important to obtain a copy of the crash report to help prove fault. If your hospital bills exceed the at-fault driver’s coverage, you should consult with an experienced Milwaukee insurance attorney. This is because you can possibly sue the at-fault party for losses after a collision.
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 Milwaukee.
Health Insurance Claims
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
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.
Denied health insurance claims can happen, even if you have been pre approved. USA Today reported the story of a Wisconsin couple that ended up losing their home and declaring bankruptcy for that very reason. Specifically, the woman stated that her insurer had sent her a letter pre approving a battery of tests at the Mayo Clinic. However, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield later judged that the tests weren’t needed after all and refused to pay. The couple ended up with more than $34,000 in medical bills that they had to pay out of pocket. The billing nightmare is often called retrospective denial and is seemingly becoming more prevalent.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Milwaukee 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 Wisconsin 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!
