4 minute read
EXPERT ADVICE LAW
Navigate the challenges that come with filing a claim during this busy season for insurance companies by following these tips.
By Michael B. Brehne, Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A
With masses of people trav- 3. Keep Track of Your Case eling, shopping and deco- Keep a record of all interactions rating over the holiday sea- with local authorities, insurance claim son, there is a higher risk of car crashes, agents and repair companies. This can home and car burglaries, and property strengthen your case and protect you loss and damage than the rest of the against unfair claims handling practices year. During this busy season, insur- by your insurance company. Insurance ance companies have more to contend companies are the busiest this time of with, which makes filing a claim all the year, making mistakes and cutting the more difficult. To successfully file corners on claims more likely. a claim in the event of a holiday emergency, follow these simple tips. 4. Document All Repairs 1. Contact the Cops First cies compensate policyholders for any
Police reports are important pieces temporary repairs made before or imof evidence for a crime-related claim. In mediately after filing a claim. Rememthe event of a crime, contact the local ber to photograph or take video of the authorities before anyone else, includ- initial state of the scene to help expedite ing your insurance company. They’re the insurance company’s decision and more likely to answer first during the get you the most coverage quickly. busy holiday season, not to mention they can help ensure the safety of everyone involved. They also begin the investigative process necessary to prove your claim with the insurance company.
2. Don’t File Too Many Claims
Filing too many claims in a short amount of time can increase your monthly premium significantly. As a general rule of thumb, only file a claim when repair and compensation costs are considerably higher than your deductible. If you could pay the difference out of pocket, it’s often better to do so. For homeowners’ insurance policies, for example, we advise that policyholders only consider filing up to two insurance claims per five-year period. Most homeowners’ insurance poli-
5. Be Mindful of Social Media on Vacation
Some insurance companies try to deny home burglary claims if the homeowners posted on social media that they were on vacation around the same time the crime occurred. They do so under a clause that indicates that homeowners must take necessary precautionary steps to prevent crimes, such as burglary.
Filing an insurance claim during the holiday season has several challenges. Insurance companies are likely to decline more cases to ease their workload, but this can negatively affect policyholders. For the best protection of your rights, schedule an insurance dispute consultation with a trusted insurance lawyer.
Michael Brehne has dedicated his 24-year career to representing injured people in motorcycle and car accidents, and represents people when their insurance claims have been denied. He has earned a reputation as a tenacious and skilled trial lawyer when representing his clients against large corporate defendants and insurance companies. He is also the author of “Watching Out for Florida Motorcyclists: Legal Rights of Injured Bikers.”
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