Few things are as frustrating and confusing as a denied or reduced insurance claim payout – but did you know that you can dispute the decision? Additionally, consumers have certain rights, afforded to them by law, when dealing with their insurance companies. Learn more about those rights, and how an experienced insurance dispute attorney can assist with the appeals process, with help from the following information.
Your Right to Appeal a Decision
Regulated by the state of Illinois, insurance companies cannot force you to take a low settlement, nor can they prevent you from appealing their decision to deny a claim. Instead, you have the right to dispute your offer or denial. Typically, this is first done over the phone or in writing. Unfortunately, insurance agents and brokers can make things sound more complicated than they really are, and they may even dismiss your attempts at a resolution. As such, it is highly recommended that consumers turn to someone with an understanding of the complex and nuanced insurance laws - someone like an experienced insurance dispute lawyer.
Your Right to an Expedient Resolution
Although insurance companies can (and often do) attempt to delay payouts, they are required to expediently resolve your claim. If they cannot do this, they must provide you with a reason for the delay. Of course, insurance companies can give almost any reason for a delay – even a seemingly frivolous one – and expedient under the law may not mean the same thing as a quick settlement after an accident (especially when you are out of work or disabled). As such, consumers are encouraged to seek assistance from an experienced insurance dispute lawyer.
Your Right to Fair Processing of a Claim
While in the process of filing a claim, or when trying to file a dispute, it might appear that the insurance companies are trying to complicate things as much as possible. However, laws forbid them from forcing you into unnecessary steps or paperwork. They also cannot force you to accept a settlement to receive the payout on another one (i.e. if your home and auto insurance are covered by the same company), and they cannot discriminate you based on ethnicity, gender, age, or other protected statuses. If you believe your insurance company is treating you unfairly, you not only have the right to appeal their decision, but you may also file a complaint.
Contact Our Des Plaines Insurance Dispute Lawyers
If you or someone you love is facing a denied, delayed, or reduced insurance claim, contact Drost, Gilbert, Andrew & Apicella, LLC for assistance. Highly experienced and dedicated to your best interest, our
Des Plaines insurance dispute lawyers will fight for the most favorable outcome possible. Learn more by scheduling a personalized consultation. Call our offices at 847-934-6000 today.
About the Author: Attorney Ken Apicella is a founding partner of DGAA focusing in the areas of personal injury, employment, insurance coverage disputes, and civil litigation. Ken earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1999. He has been named a SuperLawyers Rising Star and a Forty Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch. Ken has written and lectured for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and regularly serves as a moderator at Northwest Suburban Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education seminars.
Sources:
http://www.naic.org/documents/consumer_state_reg_brief.pdf
https://mc.insurance.illinois.gov/messagecenter.nsf