Insurance Claims in South Carolina

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in South Carolina 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 South Carolina property insurance lawyer. Your legal advocate works on your claim to ensure that you receive the benefits necessary to repair or rebuild your South Carolina 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. 

A guide for new homeowners in South Carolina is provided by the South Carolina Department of Insurance. South Carolina has an above average homeownership rate when compared to the rest of the U.S., and as such has an above average homeowner’s insurance rate. Having a lot of property on the coast, damage resulting from floods and high winds due to hurricanes are often claims that you will see in the state, especially over the last 5 years. A 2019 study from the National Weather Service showed the devastation caused by Hurricane Floyd, a category 5 storm.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in South Carolina

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 confirms that South Carolina has no state laws determining a time frame in which an insurance company must pay a claim. The language of the law states that the company must pay within a “reasonable amount of time”. Trying to receive payment from an insurance company can be a lengthy and stressful process, but it’s important to remember that outside factors such as poor communication, or the need for further documentation can slow down the process even further.

If at all possible, you should try to remain organized with copies of your files, and evidence of the damage being reported. If at any time you feel that you are being unfairly treated by the insurance company, or if you feel they are deliberately dragging out the process, you should seek out an attorney. An experienced attorney in South Carolina can help you through this process.

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 South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles states that you have 15 days from the date of the collision to file a police report. This is generally a crucial piece of evidence not only for the police, but for the insurance companies as well. South Carolina is a “fault state”, meaning that the driver at fault will be the one to be held liable for the accident.

If you’re involved in an auto accident you should

• Check yourself and others for injuries

• Gather information from anyone involved in the accident

• Gather information from bystanders

• File a police report

• Report the accident to your insurance company

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 South Carolina.

Health Insurance Claims

South Carolina 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 South Carolina?

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.

Filing a health insurance claim can seem daunting, especially if you are used to a medical facility filing it for you. You should expect to receive an itemized bill, with a list of services rendered and a total due. Certain health exchanges, such as Select Health South Carolina, provide online support for those filing health insurance claims. You can submit your claim electronically, or through the mail.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in South Carolina

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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!