Insurance Claims in St. Petersburg, FL

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in St. Petersburg, Florida 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 St. Petersburg, Florida 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.

Living in St. Petersburg can mean going through severe thunderstorms with potentially devastating winds. In January 2022, Spectrum News reported that a local resident compared the sound of the wind to a train. Thankfully, no one suffered injuries when this system blew a tree through an apartment building.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in St. Petersburg, Florida

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

Florida’s Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights sets the legal guidelines for property claims in St. Petersburg. Moreover, your insurer needs to send a copy of the legislation within fourteen days of your initial communication. This period of time is also how long they have to recognize a claimant’s intentions.

Under current statutes, an insurer has the following thirty days to provide a written response. Ultimately, they should resolve everything in 90 days. You may find that this process takes longer due to appeals, mediation, and legal actions.

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?

Florida Statutes include a requirement to stop your vehicle in a safe spot away from traffic after an accident. When the apparent damage is more than $500, you have to call the St. Petersburg Police Department. If you’re outside the city limits, call the Pinellas County Sheriff. Even more importantly, dial 911 if any parties involved in the incident suffered injuries. Once you’ve notified authorities or emergency services, you can move on to completing tasks like:

  • Offering and receiving driver’s license numbers with the other party or parties
  • Giving and requesting insurance details
  • Taking detailed pictures and notes about the damage done to vehicles
  • Speaking to witnesses and asking them for their contact information

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 St. Petersburg.

Health Insurance Claims

St. Petersburg, Florida 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 St. Petersburg, Florida?

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.

You may feel lost and frustrated if your insurer refuses to cover your treatment. However, organizations like the National Association of Insurance Commissioners publish guides for how to challenge the decision. General advice for patients in St. Petersburg includes documenting your correspondence and staying persistent. When the usual paths fail, you may need to consider a consultation with an attorney.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in St. Petersburg, Florida.

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified St. Petersburg 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 Florida 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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