Insurance Claims in Salt Lake City, UT
What are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Salt Lake City, Utah 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 Salt Lake City, Utah 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.
An online guide to homeowner’s insurance for those living in Salt Lake City is provided by the Utah State Department of Insurance. Damage caused by wind and storms is generally the most common. This includes wind damage, damage from wind-driven rain, and damage from debris such as falling tree limbs. However, The Salt Lake Tribune reports a substantial swell in property damage resulting from crimes such as theft and burglary. From 2019 to 2020 there was a 35% increase in theft throughout the state.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Salt Lake City, Utah
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
WalletHub states that Salt Lake City-based insurance companies are given a total of 45 business days in which to pay your legitimate claim. The company has 15 days to acknowledge your claim and send you the proper paperwork to file. Once you have filed the proof of loss forms, the company then has 30 days to approve or deny the claim.
It is important to remember that this is a process, and can frequently be extended by miscommunication or the company asking for further documentation of loss. Still, no insurance provider can operate in “bad faith”. This generally involves a company unnecessarily extending the process, or trying to wait you out until you drop your claim. If you believe you are being treated unfairly, you should seek the counsel of an experienced Salt Lake City attorney.
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 Utah Department of Public Safety confirms that you must never flee the scene of an automobile accident in Salt Lake City. This is illegal, and will only compound the seriousness of the situation. You should always:
- Check yourself and others for injuries
- Call EMT/911 if necessary
- Gather information from drivers involved
- Gather information from bystanders or witnesses
Make sure to give your statement to the member of the Salt Lake City Police Department that arrives on the scene. For your records, you should also obtain the name and badge number of the officer that takes your statement. Finally, make sure to contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to alert your provider to the crash.
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 Salt Lake City.
Health Insurance Claims
Salt Lake City, Utah 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 Salt Lake City, Utah?
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.
The Utah Department of Health Medicaid provides online guides on how to file a health insurance claim. This may seem odd, especially if it is your first time filing for yourself, but the process is simple and user-friendly. However, it is important to remember that settlement of claims is not instantaneous, and circumstances such as the recent pandemic have overwhelmed health insurance providers. Although the Utah Department of Insurance stated that in March of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic had been slightly downgraded, insurers are still lagging behind in their payments due to the flood of claims filed.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah.
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Salt Lake City 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 Utah 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!
