Insurance Claims in Montgomery, AL
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Montgomery, Alabama 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 Montgomery, Alabama 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.
Alabama News reports that drier weather conditions are increasing the threat of wildfires in Montgomery County and across the state. Additionally, States at Risk reports that 59% of Alabama’s population are living in areas at elevated risk of wildfire. Moreover, state residents are at an ever-increasing risk of coastal flooding due to sea level rise. Be aware, homeowner policies generally cover wildfire damage, but not flooding damage. However, flood insurance is available separately through the National Flood Insurance Program.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Montgomery, Alabama
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
Under Alabama Administrative Code, your insurer must provide you with all claim forms and instructions within 15 calendar days after receiving notification of your claim. In addition, your insurer must accept or deny your claim within 30 days of the receipt of the proof-of-loss statement. Furthermore, once you have accepted the settlement offer, an insurer must pay the claim within 30 days.
As an insured Montgomery homeowner, you also receive protection under Alabama’s Policy Holder’s Bill of Rights. Some of these rights include the right to:
- Receive in writing the reason for any cancellation of coverage
- Receive written notification of any changes in the contact at renewal time
- File a written complaint against any insurer with Alabama’s Department of Insurance
- Reject the carrier’s initial settlement offer
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?
Montgomery drivers should always stay at the scene of an accident and call 911 for emergency medical assistance. Additionally, you must notify the Montgomery Police Department if the collision involves injury, death, or at least $250 in property damage. Alabama Legal Aid recommends telling law enforcement what happened, but not admitting fault.
You should also call your insurance company as soon as possible. According to WalletHub, Alabama is an at-fault state for automobile insurance. This means the driver who caused the accident must use their insurance to cover the other driver’s damages. It also means that you can sue the at-fault driver for hospital bills that exceed the at-fault driver’s coverage. Remember, you can buy a copy of the crash report for $15 from Alabama’s Law Enforcement Agency to help prove fault.
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 Montgomery.
Health Insurance Claims
Montgomery, Alabama 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 Montgomery, Alabama?
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.
Occasionally, a denied health claim in Montgomery can be fixed easily. According to Alabama’s Department of Insurance (DOI), a denied claim could be traced to a simple error that is easily fixed with a phone call. However, other denials may require accessing the insurer’s internal appeal process. The usual procedure for appealing a claim denial involves submitting a letter to your insurance company. Be sure to give specific reasons why your claim should be paid under the policy, and why the prescribed treatment is necessary. The DOI recommends contacting the DOI Consumer Services Division at (334) 241-4141 if you feel your insurer is not cooperating with the appeals process. Alternatively, you can consult with an experienced Montgomery insurance attorney to determine if you have a legal path forward.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Montgomery, Alabama.
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Montgomery 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 Alabama 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!
