Insurance Claims in Mississippi
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Mississippi 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 Mississippi property insurance lawyer. Your legal advocate works on your claim to ensure that you receive the benefits necessary to repair or rebuild your Mississippi 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.
Severe weather is a major concern for Mississippi homeowners, especially as tornadoes and hurricanes increase in frequency and magnitude due to climate change. In fact, WCBI News reports that insurance companies are having to adapt due to this trend. Unfortunately, this often means raising the rates for premiums. However, some insurers, especially along the gulf coast, are offering incentives for customers who fortify their homes. They may offer a discount if you keep your trees in good condition or your roof in good repair.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Mississippi
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 insurance company will instruct you on the forms and other documentation they need. They will typically send an adjuster to survey the damage and estimate repair or replacement costs. Unlike some states, Mississippi does not have a specific deadline for settling your claim. However, the insurer cannot delay the process while the 3 year statute of limitations run out. If you feel that this is happening, you can file a complaint with the Mississippi Insurance Department.
After Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi legislature became aware that many people did not understand their rights with regard to homeowners insurance. Therefore, the Policyholder Bill of Rights became law in 2009. Under these statutes, you have the right to fair and prompt settlement of your claims. For example, any denials must provide clear details of why the claim is not valid. In addition, you do not have to accept an insurer’s initial settlement offer. You can appeal through their internal process, request an external appeal, or file a lawsuit if you feel that the offer is unfair.
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?
According to the Mississippi Bar, a police report is mandatory for nearly every accident in Mississippi. However, this does not necessarily mean that you need to call 911 for a fender bender. If there are injuries or major damage, of course, call for help. However, you have 10 days to report a minor accident.
You will also typically need to file an insurance claim. According to wallethub, Mississippi follows the fault model for car accidents. This means that the at-fault driver’s insurance must pay for the damages. In most cases, you can still file the claim through your own insurance, and they will seek reimbursement from the other driver’s company.
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 Mississippi.
Health Insurance Claims
Mississippi 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 Mississippi?
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.
Sometimes your insurance may deny a claim or only cover a small amount of the cost. This can happen even if your doctor determines that the treatment is medically necessary. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this became an even bigger issue due to the increase in telehealth appointments. However, according to the Clarion Ledger, temporary Mississippi legislation made insurers cover telehealth at the same rate as in-person visits. Unfortunately, now that the state of emergency is over, insurers may choose not to continue this practice.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Mississippi
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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!
