Insurance Claims in Springfield, IL

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in Springfield, Illinois 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 Springfield, Illinois 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.

The Illinois Department of Insurance offers a Property Insurance Consumer Guide for residents of Springfield to utilize when filing a property damage claim.  Hail and weather related water damage are common claims in Springfield. Residents should also be aware of how to properly maintain the pipes in their homes. As temperatures drop during the winter months, residents of Springfield have to watch for their pipes freezing and bursting.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Springfield, Illinois

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 insurance companies in Springfield must recognize your claim within 15 days. Once recognized they have to provide you with the proper paperwork to move the claim forward. They are also required to pay your claim within 30 days of approval. However, there is no set timeline for when they must approve or deny the claim. The law simly states the approval process must take place in a “reasonable amount of time”.

Still, there are certain companies that may act in bad faith. These actions can take the form of dragging out the process of payment, or refusing to pay a legitimate claim outright. If you believe your insurer is acting in bad faith, then you should seek the counsel of an experienced attorney in Springfield.

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?

Illinois Legal Aid encourages any Springfield resident to contact emergency services immediately if there has been an auto accident. Pull your car to the side of the road, and check yourself for injuries. Make sure to check others as well. You should exchange insurance information with anyone involved in the crash, as well as get information from any witnesses that may have been present.

When the Springfield Police Department arrives on the scene, make sure to give a statement while also getting the name and badge number of the officer. Once you have given your statement, contact your insurance agent to alert him or her 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 Springfield.

Health Insurance Claims

Springfield, Illinois 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 Springfield, Illinois?

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 Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) allows Springfield residents to file claims with the DOI if their claim has been delayed, denied, or settled in an unsatisfactory manner. However, it should be noted that there are certain jurisdictions in which the DOI has no power. Before filing a claim with the state, you should always:

• Try to contact your insurance provider
• Document phone calls by taking down the date, writing a call summary, and getting the name of the person to whom you speak
• Keep copies of written communications like mail
• Contact the Illinois Consumer Assistance Hotline (877-527-9431)

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Springfield, Illinois.

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Springfield 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 Illinois 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!