Insurance Claims in Seattle, WA

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in Seattle, Washington 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 Seattle, Washington 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 Seattle Emergency Management, the City of Seattle has identified 18 hazards that carry the greatest risk to the city’s residents. These include weather events such as flooding, windstorms, winter storms, landslides, wildfires, and earthquakes. Consequently, it is advisable for a Seattle homeowner to check which specific perils their insurance policy covers. Be aware, standard policies do not cover flooding. However, Seattle homeowners can purchase flood coverage separately through the National Flood Insurance Program.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Seattle, Washington

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

After you file a claim in Seattle, your insurer will send an adjuster to determine the damage. Under Washington State law, your insurer must finish its investigation within 30 days after notification of the claim. However, before you file your claim, make sure the claim is worthwhile. The Washington State Insurance Commissioner (WSIC) warns that insurers typically consider your claims history when deciding whether to cancel your policy or increase your premiums.

If the claim is approved, the insurer will make a settlement offer based on the evidence from the investigation. Keep in mind, you do not have to approve this offer if it is unfairly low. In fact, you have options for disputing the offer, including the insurer’s internal appeals process. Additionally, you can file a consumer complaint with the WSIC. Finally, consulting with an experienced Seattle insurance attorney can help determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.

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?

Seattle drivers should be aware that  Washington State law mandates crash reports for accidents involving injuries, death, or at least $1,000 in property damage. However, you can still file a report if damage is less than $1,000. In either case, you should contact the Seattle Police or the King County Sheriff. The Washington State Patrol accepts reports online within four days of the collision. Keep in mind, the police usually file a report if they respond to an accident.

Your next call should be to your insurer. Washington is an at-fault state which means that the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for the damages. Be aware, Washington also permits Seattle drivers to add no-fault Personal Injury Protection to their coverage. This can speed up payment of your medical bills if the process of proving fault is not straightforward.

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 Seattle.

Health Insurance Claims

Seattle, Washington 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 Seattle, Washington?

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 KHN, appealing a denied health insurance claim can be a good strategy. In fact, the article stated that the odds are about 50/50 that if you appeal, you’ll win. In the case of a Seattle woman, the insurer refused to pay 20% of her newborn’s medical bill because she hadn’t obtained prior authorization for the hospital stay. Although the insurer failed to inform her that she could appeal the decision, she did anyway. In fact, she asked for retroactive approval of the hospital stay. In the end, she got the approval and the coverage.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Seattle, Washington.

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Seattle 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 Washington 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!

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