Insurance Claims in Missoula, MT
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Missoula, Montana 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 Missoula, Montana 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 USA.com, the chance of earthquake damage in Missoula is much lower than the Montana average and the national average. In fact, Missoula has a much lower chance of tornado damage as well. However, Missoula homeowners face property damage from thunderstorm winds, hail, heavy snow, and floods. Furthermore, States at Risk reports that more than 600,000 people in Montana are living in areas at elevated risk of wildfire. Although wildfire is typically covered in a homeowner policy, flooding is not. This means that Missoula homeowners that want coverage must buy it separately through the National Flood Insurance Program.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Missoula, Montana
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
Montana’s Unfair Trade Practices governs the time for payment of claims in Missoula. For example, an insurer must pay or deny a claim within 30 days after the receipt of a proof-of-loss statement. An insurer must comply unless they make a reasonable request for additional information in order to evaluate the claim. If an insurer does make a request for additional information, they must pay or deny the claim within 60 days of receiving the proof-of-loss. However, this time limit does not apply if the insurer has a reasonable belief that insurance fraud has been committed.
If the insurer is liable for payment of a claim, they must pay an amount equal to the claim due plus 10% annual interest. The interest is calculated from the date on which the claim was due. Additionally, the insurer must pay the interest to the individual who receives the claims payment. Furthermore, interest is payable only if the amount of interest due on a claim exceeds $5.00.
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?
The Missoula Police Department (MPD) responds to approximately 1,800 reported crashes per year. Be aware, the most severe crash rates take place along US 93/Reserve Street. However, MPD does not investigate accidents unless they are called immediately. Consequently, if you are involved in a collision in Missoula, you should always stay at the scene, notify MPD, and call 911 for medical assistance.
Your next call should be to your insurance company. Since Montana is an at-fault state, the at-fault driver’s insurance pays to cover the other driver’s damages. Consequently, you should not admit fault at the scene of the accident. Additionally, it is advisable to obtain a copy of the crash report since it will help prove fault. However, if you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot collect any damages from the other driver. Consulting with an experienced Missoula insurance attorney can help you determine the best path for obtaining proper compensation.
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 Missoula.
Health Insurance Claims
Missoula, Montana 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 Missoula, Montana?
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, health insurers continue to deny legitimate claims for necessary treatment. According to Montana Right Now, private Medicare Advantage plans are denying eligible, necessary coverage to thousands of seniors each year. In fact, a federal report claimed that Advantage plans refused to pay about 18% of legitimate claims. In some cases, the plans ignored prior authorizations or other documentation to support the payment. The most frequent denials included those for MRIs and CT scans. However, it also found that these private plans reversed about three-quarters of their denials on appeal.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Missoula, Montana.
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Missoula 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 Montana 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!
