Insurance Claims in Texas

What Are Insurance Claims?

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

Texas Online Insurance Adjuster Training lists the 5 most common claims filed by homeowners in the state. They are:

  • Wind damage
  • Hail damage
  • Water damage and Freezing
  • Theft and Burglary
  • Fire and Lightning

The Texas Department of Insurance strongly advises homeowners to have wind and hail insurance, especially those living on the Gulf Coast. There has been a record number of storms making landfall within the last decade.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Texas

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 an insurance company in Texas generally has 35 business days to pay your claim. This is broken up into 3 segments. The company has 15 day to acknowledge the claim and provide you with the paperwork to move forward. Then they have another 15 days to approve or deny the claim. Once the claim is approved, the company has 5 days to pay a legitimate claim.

It’s important to keep in mind that settling claims is a process, and can be exacerbated by different factors, such as a flood of claims at the same time. For instance, The Dallas Morning News reports that due to the freeze in Texas, over $500,000 claims were filed. Such a large number being filed at once is sure to slow down the process. However, you may want to seek the counsel of an experienced attorney in Texas to make sure your interests are well looked after.

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 Texas Department of Transportation encourages all those living in the state to obey traffic laws and reduce speed as they drive in order to avoid being part of a collision. Still, if you have been involved in a crash you must remain calm and remain at the scene. Check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries. Take down as much information as you can, both from those involved and any bystanders that may be nearby.

You should call the police and make sure to give your statement. You can do this with the officer present, or give your statement online. Once you have finished at the scene you should contact your insurance provider and alert them to the accident. Be sure to share with your provider all the information you obtained, as this will help with your claim. 

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 Texas.

Health Insurance Claims

Texas 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 Texas?

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.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas provides tips for those filing health insurance claims in the state. This can seem daunting at times, especially when you are accustomed to having a medical center file the claim on your behalf. You’ll most likely receive an itemized bill, totaling the cost owed. This will be especially pertinent if you have received any types of therapy that your health plan does not cover. It’s important to know what your plan does and does not cover, as CBS Austin reports that certain individuals fall into health coverage gaps.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Texas

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Texas 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 Texas 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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