Insurance Claims in Minnesota
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Minnesota 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 designed to protect your home from damage due to specific events. If you suffer a loss, it’s important to consult with a skilled property insurance lawyer. They will help guide you through the claims process and ensure you receive the necessary compensation to repair or rebuild your property.
If your insurer denies your claim or causes unnecessary delays, it’s crucial to speak with a property insurance attorney about pursuing a bad faith claim. If your case goes to court and you win, you may be able to recover court costs, attorney fees, and the full coverage benefits you’re entitled to. Depending on the state laws governing your claim, you could also be eligible for additional compensation.
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 the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, tornadoes, lightning, hail, and flooding are the most common severe weather events in the state. Unfortunately, these can all cause significant property damage. Your best protection is to make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Keep in mind that most homeowners insurance excludes certain damage causes, such as flooding. It may be worth investing in separate flood coverage if you live in a flood-prone area.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Minnesota
After experiencing a loss, it’s crucial to contact your insurer promptly to initiate the claims process. Whether you notify them in writing or by phone, this step sets the process in motion. Once your claim is reported, the insurance company will assign a claims representative to handle your case.
What to Expect Afterwards
Once you file a claim, the insurance company will typically need to investigate to determine their coverage responsibility. This process can be frustrating, as it often takes a while and can delay your ability to make repairs. If you feel the delays are unreasonable, it may be worth a call to the Department’s Consumer Services Center.
The insurance company will assign an adjuster to come out to your property and assess the damage. In Michigan, adjusters must be building contractors with a license from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. In most cases, the company adjuster will provide a fair and accurate assessment. However, you always have the option to hire your adjuster if you have concerns about the settlement amount.
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?
New accident reporting laws went into effect for Minnesota drivers in 2021. Under the new statutes, drivers no longer have to file an accident report. Instead, you must call the police for any accident that involves damages over $1,000 or any injuries. The responding officer will then file the necessary report.
You will also need to contact your insurance company. Minnesota is one of a few states that follows a no-fault insurance model. According to the Department of Commerce consumer guide, this means that your insurance will cover your medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. However, fault does matter when it comes to covering vehicle damage. If the other driver is at fault, you can make a claim with their insurance for repairs to your vehicle.
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 Minnesota.
Health Insurance Claims
Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
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, you cannot assume that just because your doctor recommends a treatment, your insurance will cover it. For example, KSTP News reports that patients experiencing mental health issues may have an especially difficult time getting their claims paid. Insurance companies sometimes refuse to pay bills for treatments of issues such as anorexia or addiction. The insurer may claim that the treatments are not medically necessary. If you think your insurance company has unfairly rejected your claim, you can contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce for an external review.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Minnesota
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
Do you have a different legal concern that requires the help of a lawyer? We have a network of attorneys for any area of the law you need in Minnesota.