Insurance Claims in Vancouver, WA

What Are Insurance Claims?

Filing an insurance claim in Vancouver, Washington 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 Vancouver, Washington 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.

An overview of property insurance claims for Vancouver residents is provided by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner for Washington. Residents of Vancouver frequently file property claims associated with weather damages, such as water damage from flooding, along with wind and hail damage. There are also instances where you can file a property claim against the City of Vancouver, if you believe negligent actions on the part of the city have led to the damage. The proper forms to file against the city can be found online.

How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Vancouver, Washington

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 WalletHub, insurance companies operating in Vancouver have a sum total of 45 working days in which to pay out a legitimate claim. First, they have 10 days to acknowledge the claim. This process generally entails the company contacting you, and providing you with paperwork to file and move the claim forward. Then, the company has 15 working days to approve or deny the claim. Lastly, there is a period of 20 days during which they must pay the claim.

Still, there have been cases of insurance companies acting in “bad faith”. This occurs when a company drags out the process, or outright refuses to pay a legitimate claim. Washington Consumer Rights make this type of behavior illegal for any Vancouver business entity. If you feel a company is acting in “bad faith”, you should seek the counsel of an experienced attorney in Vancouver.

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 Attorney General of Washington encourages you to report any accident that totals over $500 in damage to both the police and your insurance company. You must never flee the scene of an accident, even though you may experience stress and trauma. Pull your car to the side of the road, and check yourself for injuries. Check anyone involved for injuries as well. Then, you should gather information from both bystanders and those involved in the accident. Some of the info you’ll want to gather should include:

• Name, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses there

• Drivers license numbers and license plate numbers of those involved

• Insurance information of those involved

• Registration from the owner of all vehicles involved

If you give your statement to a Vancouver Police Officer, you should also record the name and badge number of the officer.

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 Vancouver.

Health Insurance Claims

Vancouver, Washington 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 Vancouver, Washington?

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.

Vancouver residents can avail themselves of the online portal provided by the Washington State Healthcare Authority. This portal allows residents to simplify the filing process, even if it is your first time filing on your own behalf. It is important for you to be proactive with your healthcare coverage, and to stay up to date on news and policy changes surrounding your plan. For example, the Washington State Insurance Commissioner announced in April 2022 that the emergency orders surrounding Covid-19 testing and surprise medical billing were to remain in effect until at least May of 2022.

Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Vancouver, Washington.

If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Vancouver 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 Washington 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!