Insurance Claims in Roanoke, VA
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Roanoke, Virginia 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 Roanoke, Virginia 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 States at Risk, Virginia homeowners face the threat of damage from both inland flooding and coastal flooding. Specifically, there are more than 260,000 Virginians living in areas at an elevated risk of inland flooding. Additionally, Virginia has 164,000 people at risk of coastal flooding. By 2050, an additional 137,000 people are projected to be at risk due to rising sea levels. Be aware, homeowner policies typically do not cover flooding. However, Roanoke homeowners can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Roanoke, Virginia
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 Virginia Administrative Code, the claims handling process in Roanoke must meet certain standards. For instance, an insurer has 15 calendar days to acknowledge the receipt of a claim. Additionally, the insurer must supply the claimant with necessary claim forms, instructions, and assistance within 15 days. However, Policy Genius reports that Virginia does not set a time limit for payment once the insurer accepts a claim.
Sometimes the insurer may offer an unfair settlement. However, sometimes they may deny the claim outright. If this happens, you should contact the insurer to determine if there has been a mistake. If this is not the case, you can try the insurer’s internal appeals process. You also have the right to file a complaint with Virginia’s State Corporation Commission. Finally, consulting with an experienced Roanoke insurance attorney can help determine if you have grounds to file suit.
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?
Roanoke drivers should always stay at the scene of an accident and call 911 for medical assistance. In fact, Virginia law mandates that Roanoke drivers call the Roanoke Police or Virginia State Police immediately if the crash involves injuries or fatalities. Be aware, you may need to file a crash report with the Virginia DMV if the police fail to do so.
Your next call should be to your insurance company. This is because Virginia is an at-fault state for automobile insurance. This means that the at-fault driver’s insurance pays for your damages and medical bills. As well, you can sue an at-fault driver for compensation. Consequently, you should never admit fault at the scene of the accident.
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 Roanoke.
Health Insurance Claims
Roanoke, Virginia 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 Roanoke, Virginia?
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.
According to Coverage Rights, a Roanoke patient can fight back if their insurer refuses to cover a prescribed treatment. Your first step is to request an internal appeal with your insurer. In fact, you have the right to ask your insurer to conduct a full and fair review of its decision. This appeal should take a maximum of 30 days if you have not yet received the treatment. Otherwise, it can take up to 60 days. If this appeal fails, you can request an external review with the Virginia Bureau of Insurance. Keep in mind, you must make this request within 120 days of the denial. Finally, you can file a complaint with the Bureau.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Roanoke, Virginia.
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Roanoke 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 Virginia 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!
