Insurance Claims in Springfield, MO
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Springfield, Missouri 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, Missouri 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 Missouri Department of Insurance states that it is of vital importance for homeowners in Springfield to purchase homeowner’s insurance in order to protect what is likely their most valuable asset. Storms can be tremendously damaging to homes in Springfield. High winds, hail, and even tornadoes are all claims commonly filed by residents. Water damage is also a common claim. This can be the result of flooding from storms, or even pipes bursting in a home.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Springfield, Missouri
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
According to Missouri’s Unfair Claims Settlement Process, there is no strict timeline that an insurance company in Springfield must follow when paying a claim. The company has 10 days in which they must acknowledge a claim, and provide you with the proper paperwork to move the claim forward. The company is then given 15 days to approve or deny the claim. However, once the claim is approved the company is simply directed to pay the claim within a timely manner. But there is no definition of what this may be.
You must also remember that an insurance company is within their rights to ask for further proof of damage. They could ask for more photos of the damage, or a second inspection. This is their right, but it may further draw out the process. However, if you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith, you should contact 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?
The Missouri Department of Revenue provides several tips and hints for any resident of Springfield involved in an auto accident. If you’re in a car accident you should:
- Check to see if anyone is injured.
- Contact the Springfield Police Department
- Use flares, reflectors, or flashlights if the accident happened at night, or in bad weather
- Exchange information with anyone involved- names, insurance information, and license plate numbers.
- Record the badge number and name of the officers at the scene.
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, Missouri 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, Missouri?
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.
Missouri CLAIM provides a step by step guide for Springfield residents that file a Medicare healthcare claim on their own behalf. When filing yourself you should expect to receive an itemized bill. This will generally contain information such as treatments received, services rendered, and a sum total. Make sure to thoroughly inspect the bill so you are not being charged for services you did not receive.
It is illegal for a Springfield insurer to present you with what is known as a surprise medical bill. This is a bill for services that your insurer was supposed to pay. If you receive one, you should contact an experienced attorney. KY3 in Springfield reports that as of January 2022, a new law has gone into effect that bans the practice of sending surprise medical bills.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Springfield, Missouri.
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 Missouri 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!