Insurance Claims in New Mexico

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in New Mexico 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 New Mexico property insurance lawyer. Your legal advocate works on your claim to ensure that you receive the benefits necessary to repair or rebuild your New Mexico 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 National Weather Service reports that every county in New Mexico experiences severe weather events. Examples collected from their data include severe thunderstorms, hail, heavy rains, and high winds. In 2021, KRQE covered a powerful storm that ripped roofs apart, fell trees, and caused power outages. A city official from Red River said that heavy winds and snowing hit the area hard. When a similar event causes damage to your property, it may take legal counsel to get what your insurance carrier should cover.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in New Mexico

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, there is no specific time under the law for insurance carriers to resolve claims. But, there is a general expectation that they should act within a reasonable amount of time. The company that insures your property should respond punctually. Furthermore, they shouldn’t create unnecessary complications that delay payouts.

When an insurance carrier tries to get out of its obligations, their actions can create liability for a bad faith lawsuit. According to Investopedia, there are several ways your insurer can open themselves up to civil action. A few typical examples are:

• Misrepresenting the coverage available under your policy

• Indefensibly delaying the claims process

• Refusing to offer a reason for a denial

• Threatening retribution for filing a claim

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 Mexico Statutes state that an accident with more than $500 in damages requires a call to the police. Obviously, you do not have time for an estimate, so you will have to use your best judgment. If the incident happens outside of the city, it’s best to contact the county sheriff instead.

Despite the stress and chaos, you’ll need to remember to document the scene. Take pictures of the damage, collect insurance information, and ask witnesses for contact information. This material can become critical to criminal or civil proceedings that follow.

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 New Mexico.

Health Insurance Claims

New Mexico 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 New Mexico?

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.

However, even the best efforts of legislators leave plenty of room for coverage denials. For example, the New Mexico Legislature passed a bill to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for behavioral healthcare. The unfortunate fact remains that a tiny percentage of citizens qualify for this benefit. KUNM reported that the ten largest employers in the state have exemptions due to self-funded insurance. No matter your healthcare concern, there may be legal complications to obtain the prescribed treatment you need.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in New Mexico

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified New Mexico 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 New Mexico 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!