Tips for Navigating the Insurance Claims Process
In many cases, an injured party may be able to claim compensation for their injuries, for example when injuries are sustained in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver.
However, pursuing a personal injury claim with an insurance company can be a challenging task, and one which can result in a claim being delayed, disputed or denied altogether. To ensure you receive rightful compensation for your injuries, the following tips can guide you in successfully dealing with an insurance company.
Review Your Policy
Before bringing a claim under your insurance policy make sure to review it to gain an understanding of your coverage, rights and responsibilities. There may be time restrictions on bringing a claim, so it is essential to be aware of these beforehand. An insurance company may also deny a claim on the grounds of certain policy exclusions, limiting the amount or type of coverage you can receive.Coverage limits may also apply which cap the amount of compensation you can receive, and potentially result in a payment that does not satisfy the full amount of your losses. For example, if your policy has a limit of $20,000 for property damage, but your actual losses amount to $50,000, you may be responsible for covering the remaining $30,000 out of pocket. Reviewing the details of your policy will help you understand the claim process and your entitlement to compensation more effectively.
Seek Medical Attention
Seeking immediate medical attention ensures your injuries are promptly documented by a medical professional. This is essential for establishing a clear link between the incident and the injuries sustained.An independent medical examination (IME) may also be requested by an insurance company to objectively assess your injuries and to verify the legitimacy of your claims. Such an examination may raise doubts about the nature or extent of your injuries, perhaps concluding that they arose due to a pre-existing condition rather than the defendant’s negligence. This may invalidate your claim or severely reduce the amount they are willing to pay you.
Clear Documentation
Before an insurance company agrees to settle a claim or make a payment they will conduct a thorough investigation to assess its validity. While you may wonder ‘how long does an insurance company have to investigate a claim’, the law prescribes certain time periods in which they must acknowledge, decide and respond to a claim.As part of their investigations, insurance companies will review documentation relating to the incident or accident such as medical records, witness statements, police reports and other key pieces of documentation which can serve as evidence to support or deny a claim. Clearly documenting key pieces of information can help you in support of your claim.
These tips can serve as a useful roadmap helping you to successfully navigate the claims process and be justly compensated for your losses.
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Posted - 03/18/2024
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