INSURANCE DISPUTES |
When you are injured, your house is damaged or you become ill, you depend on your insurance companies to help you through a difficult crisis. Sometimes, they don’t. If you have filed a legitimate claim with an insurance company, and your claim has been denied or delayed, you may have grounds for an insurance bad faith law suit. Our office works with you to obtain the benefits that you are entitled to under your policy and to seek compensation from the insurance company who has failed to provide you with those benefits.
Our office has worked with clients who have claims involving:
- Automobile insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Life insurance
- Health Insurance and Disability Insurance
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN INSURANCE CLAIM
It is best to consult with an attorney BEFORE you file an important insurance claim. Your attorney will be able to advise you as to the consequence of signing any document or making a statement.
AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE _________________________________
REPORT YOUR CLAIM. Even if no one appears to be injured, report your claim to both your insurance company and to the other parties’ insurance company.
CONTACT A LAWYER RIGHT AWAY. The insurance company may offer you money right away. Don’t take it. If you have taken the insurance company's check for $2,000 on the second day after the accident, you can never go back to get more compensation, even if you find out that your injuries are permanent and disabling.
DO NOT SIGN ANY DOCUMENTS or give any recorded statements until you have had the opportunity to meet with an attorney to advise you as to the consequences of those actions.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE ________________________________
REPORT ANY CRIME TO THE POLICE. If you have been the victim of a crime, report it to the police and obtain a copy of the police report.
CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE AGENT OR COMPANY. Ask your company what documents are needed to support your claim. Keep copies of all paperwork. Some questions that you might want to ask are: Am I covered? Does my claim exceed my deductible? (Your deductible is the amount of loss you agree to pay yourself when you buy a policy.) How long will it take to process my claim? Will I need to obtain estimates for repairs to structural damage?
MAKE TEMPORARY REPAIRS. Take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage. Save receipts for what you spend and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.
DOCUMENT YOUR LOSSES. Prepare a list of lost or damaged property. Don’t throw anything away and take photographs of the damage. Remember to keep your receipts for any temporary repairs, storage, or other costs that you incur.
RELOCATE. If you need to relocate temporarily, keep your receipts. If your home is severely damaged and you need to find other accommodations while repairs are being made, keep records of all additional expenses incurred.
OBTAIN CLAIM FORMS. Once your insurance company has been notified of your claim, the company is required to send you the necessary claim forms. Return the properly filled out forms as soon as possible in order to avoid delays. You should always contact an attorney to prior to submitting any materials to the insurance com- pany in writing, including the claim forms.
HAVE THE DAMAGE INSPECTED. Your insurance company will probably arrange for an adjuster to come and inspect your home. Do not give any recorded statement or sign any documents until you have reviewed your situation with an attorney.
REVIEW THE INSURANCE COMPANY’S OFFER. Once the insurance company makes an offer, please consider the long and short term consequences of their offer. If you have not previously consulted with an attorney, it is not too late. Contact an attorney before making any final decisions, cashing any checks or signing any documents.LIFE INSURANCE __________________________________________
LOCATE THE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY. If you cannot find the actual policy, look through documents including personal phone books and check registries to find the agent or company that your loved one may have used.
CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY. Call the agent or company on the policy. If you only know the company they should be able to find your loved one's policy by their name and address.OBTAIN CLAIM FORMS. Once your insurance company has been notified of your claim, the company should immediately forward the necessary claim forms. Return the properly filled out forms as soon as possible in order to avoid delays. You should always contact an attorney to prior to submitting any materials to the insurance company in writing, including the claim forms.
MONITOR THE PROCESS. Once the insurance company receives the documents they should complete the process within a couple of weeks. If there is any delay or if you have any reason to believe that you have not been treated fairly in this process, you should contact an attorney.
REVIEW ALL DOCUMENTS. Once the insurance company submits payment, be sure that you are fully satisfied. If you have not previously consulted with an attorney, it is not too late. Contact an attorney before making any final decisions, cashing any checks or signing any documents
HEALTH INSURANCE AND DISABILITY INSURANCE _____________
Depending upon the type of health and disability insurance you have, the process for making a claim and disputing a decision will vary. A complex structure of state and federal rules and regulations govern most health and disability insurance policies. If you believe that your insurance has not properly processed a claim, you should contact an attorney to review the matter and determine what options are available to you to resolve your claim.
Our office will not charge anything for your initial consultation regarding your insurance dispute. We welcome the opportunity to evaluate your case and work with you so that you may receive the benefits to which you are entitled and be compensated for the delay in receiving those benefits. Contact our office to arrange for a free consultation with Ms. Waugh to evaluate your claim regarding your insurance benefits.