Insurance Claims in Yakima, WA
What Are Insurance Claims?
Filing an insurance claim in Yakima, 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 Yakima, 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.
Wind storms that damage property are a common hazard to property owners in Yakima. Reporting by the Yakima Herald-Republic has included trees knocked over by 50 mph gusts. An event like this can also lead to tiles torn from roofs or even solar panels.
How to File a Property Insurance Claim in Yakima, 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
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner recommends making sure the claim is worthwhile first. When the repairs are roughly as much as your deductible, it may be worth paying yourself. Otherwise, homeowners in Yakima may increase their premiums for a limited benefit. If you decide to proceed, the state government identifies the following tasks:
- Review your policy with your insurance
- Provide all necessary information
- File a police report if the loss is due to a crime
- Maintain a tight record of receipts related to the repairs
- Collect copies of correspondence
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 Office of the Attorney General points out that your insurance claim can be denied if you don’t follow proper procedure. Moreover, fleeing the scene or not calling 911 for the injured can bring criminal charges.
As long as you put safety first, you’re likely in good stead. But, drivers in Yakima should plan for the eventuality of accidents. Some tips from the Wisconsin state government to help with this task include:
- Don’t discuss fault regarding the accident or make accusations
- Call the local police if you have a reasonable belief there’s more than $500 in damages
- Exchange information with anyone involved and witnesses
- Document all destruction to each vehicle closely
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 Yakima.
Health Insurance Claims
Yakima, 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 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 Yakima, 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.
When you receive a denial, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner points out that’s not the final word. Patients in Yakima can appeal to their insurer and start an external review. When you have reason to believe a company acts in bad faith, you can submit a complaint to the state. The government’s findings may go a long way in future civil lawsuits.
Work with an Experienced Local Insurance Lawyer in Yakima, Washington.
If your health insurance provider refuses to honor a claim, seek out a qualified Yakima 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!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
There are other areas of Yakima, WA law that could apply to your case:
