Insurance Claims in Nevada
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Nevada 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 Nevada property insurance lawyer. Your legal advocate works on your claim to ensure that you receive the benefits necessary to repair or rebuild your Nevada 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.
The Nevada Department of Insurance provides a Homeowner’s Guide to give an overview of the claims process for residents of the state. In 2019, over 50% of homeowners with insurance filed a claim in Nevada. Of these claims, property damage and theft accounted for 97%. It’s important to remember that the state of Nevada does not require you to purchase homeowner’s insurance, it is a precaution against unforeseen circumstances that you should seriously consider.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Nevada
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
According to WalletHub, an insurance carrier has a time limit of 80 working days in which they are required to settle a claim which has been filed. While this process can seem time consuming, and even frustrating, it is important to remember that it is a process. Once you’ve filed your claim, the insurance company will generally investigate the validity of the claim. They may ask for pictures, or send an inspector to your home to assess the damage.
In addition, the National Association of Insurance Companies urges those filing a claim for damage to their home in Nevada to be familiar with the differences between Replacement Cost Value (RCV) and Actual cash Value (ACV). RCV will pay to replace or repair the damage without deducting for depreciation. If your policy contains ACV, you will receive a payment at the depreciated 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?
The Nevada Department of Transportation provides a tracker for all auto accidents in the state. If you are involved in an auto accident, the worst possible thing you could do is flee the scene. Regardless of fault, this will simply make the situation worse. Pull your car to the side of the road and check yourself for injuries. If you can, check anyone else involved and seek medical attention if necessary. You should then gather as much information as possible. For example, names of driver’s involved, insurance information, license plate numbers, and even statements from anyone nearby.
Once the authorities arrive on the scene, you should take down the name and badge number of the officer. You’ll need to file a report with the police, in fact, the Nevada DMV affirms that an SR-1 should be completed within 10 days of your accident. You’ll also need to contact your insurance provider, from the site of the accident if possible. Your provider can let you know if they need any information, or if there are any further steps you can take.
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 Nevada.
Health Insurance Claims
Nevada 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 Nevada?
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.
Once you file a health insurance claim, it is important to keep tabs on it. You should generally receive an itemized bill listing the services rendered and the total amount of the care. However, it is wise to check on the status of your claims and payments as there can be unscrupulous actors behind the scenes. NBC News 4 reports that a jury just found an insurance company guilty of withholding payments to emergency care physicians. The jury awarded over $2 million in punitive damages.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Nevada
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Nevada 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 Nevada 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!
Are you curious to learn about other areas of Nevada law? We have articles on many legal topics in the state.