How to file fire insurance claims.

Tragedy has struck you and your family in an indescribable way. You have lost your home to a fire. What do you do now? Where do you go? Do not panic! Your fire insurance claim is one of the many ways you can get help. When you file that claim though, be informed. The following guidelines will help you in the event of a house fire; better still, prepare yourself before disaster strikes.

1. Know your coverage – Many people feel that their insurance company may have "pulled a fast one" on them when their claim is denied. A simple way to avoid this is to know your coverage. Get out that brochure that your insurance agent gave you when you signed your contract. Cannot find it? Call your insurance company and ask them to send you another one, and read it from beginning to end.

2. Know the amount of your deductible – When you sign a contract with your insurance company, you agree to a deductible, a basic amount to be deducted from the amount claimed. Example: If your damages total $4000 and your deductible is $500, the insurance company will give you $3500 and you will have to absorb the remaining $500.

3. Request it all in writing – Make sure you receive any and all estimates of damage or destruction in writing. This provides you with proof of damage when it comes time to file the fire insurance claim. Also be sure to request written estimates of repairs and/or replacement as well.

4. Sign nothing yet! – Before you sign anything, ask lots of questions, inform yourself, read the small print, and fully understand the document to be signed. You do not have to blindly accept the insurance company’s assessment of damage – get your own estimates in order to compare them with the insurance company’s estimates.

5. Gather all necessary information – Confirm with your insurance company the requirements for filing a fire insurance claim. Below is the standard necessary information needed:

• Date of loss
• Type of claim (loss)
• Location of damage
• Detailed list of any injuries incurred
• Full condition of home
• Complete list of all damages
• All estimates for repair or replacement
• Police report

6. Keep everything – In order for your claim to be processed as smoothly as possible, call the insurance company as soon as possible, and keep all documents relating to the incident, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Do not get rid of anything until the insurance company has sent a representative to assess the damage.

Many insurance companies will pay for temporary housing should your home be so damaged that you cannot live in it. Call them, or refer to your documentation to find out whether this is a possible provision in your case.

Form more about Fires go to: Fire Extinguisher 101.

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Medical billing services help in dealing with insurance claims you make related to your healthcare expenses. Read this article to know about medical billing services and insurance claims.

The term medical billing refers to the process of submitting claims to the insurance companies and following them in order to collect payment for the services delivered by a healthcare provider. One can start his/her medical billing services to provide billing and collection to the providers. Many of the providers depend on medical billing services for processing claims to insurance companies (payer), instead of claiming themselves.

A patient visits a healthcare physician for medical checkup or treatment. The patient gives information on his/her personal details (age, sex, location, etc.) and about the insurance company that he/she has taken up the medical policy. The doctor updates the medical record of the patient for further diagnosis, examinations, test, medications and treatment (if any). The information provided by the patient about the policy can be confirmed by contacting the payer.

A qualified staff examines the medical record and translates into certain procedural and diagnosis codes. The medical billing company analyzes the data and performs services for the provider. Either medical billing services handle claims only or take care of both claims and billing. It is not easy to settle a medical insurance claim. The billing company has to bill the claim amount and fill up the claim form. Filling the claim form should be done carefully; even a single mistake on the part of the patient’s details or treatments can lead to rejection and returning of the claim. Information in the claim should match with that in the policy document. Regarding any doubt, the billing company can verify with the patient and the provider.

The claim is then submitted to the respected insurance company in which the patient has a policy with. In some cases, the claim has to be submitted to a clearinghouse before submitting to the payer. Insurance company will further process the claim. If there are no mistakes, it determines the allowed charge payable for each service depending upon the patient’s policy and accordingly, payment is done. Thus, a medical claim is settled.

The medical billing services charge fee to the provider for their services. Some medical billing services charge their fees according to the number of claims handled, whereas some prefer to charge for a percentage of what they collect.

Majority of the medical billing services use electronic billing system with advanced medical billing software. All the major tasks like filling up the claim forms, submitting claims and sending billing statements are done via the Internet. The advantages of using electronic billing service are it saves time and increases efficiency and profitability.

Everyone must be aware about various health insurance schemes and their significance. Majority of the American citizens have medical insurance cover, which can be in the form of dental insurance, individual health insurance or family health insurance. One can take up disability insurance according to the lifestyle and risks involved. While taking up any insurance, it is very important for all the policyholders to have detailed information about the policy he/she has taken. One should analyze the policy documents and understand the coverage that comes under the particular scheme.

Certain problems may arise related to the claims submitted via the billing services and the insurance company’s payment. In such conditions, the cooperation of the patient is very important. He/she should give detailed information about the policy such as coverage of the policy and policy terms. If possible, the patient should call up the insurance company and inquire about reasons for denial. If the insurance company denies the claim, then the patient has to pay the medical bill to the provider. For genuine reasons, the patient can file an appeal against the insurance company.

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After an auto accident or insurance claim Part 2

Your car has been in an accident or damaged in some way and you’ve already initiated the claim and had the estimate written. What next? This next selection of questions in Part 2 of my series covers some of those items.

Will my car be replaced or repaired?

After evaluating the damages to your vehicle, your insurance company has the option of repairing your vehicle, replacing your vehicle, or reimbursing you for the vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV). Actual cash value is the amount your vehicle would have sold for on the date of the accident.

A vehicle is considered economically impractical to repair, or a total loss, if the cost to repair the vehicle equals or exceeds the vehicle’s ACV on the date of the loss. In many instances an insurance company will total a vehicle if the appraised damages equal 80% of the vehicle’s ACV because often, once repairs are begun, additional damages or "hidden damages" are found which would render the vehicle a total loss by definition. (This is sometimes referred to as a "constructive total" loss)

What parts will be replaced on my vehicle?

This is a wide open question and can only be answered by your policy limits. Your policy may state that they can replace OEM parts with "like, kind and quality" parts which could be a used part or an aftermarket part.

Do I have to accept non-OEM parts?

No, the final choice is yours but if the insurer wants to use non-OEM parts and you decide to use more expensive OEM parts, you may have to pay the difference in cost. It all depends what is stated in your policy.

Does my insurance company offer me a direct repair program through a local body shop and how does the process work in dealing with a direct repair shop?

Some auto insurance companies use a Direct Repair Program to provide repairs for their policy holders. In a Direct Repair Program, a collision shop and an auto insurance company complete a contract to provide repairs for the insurance company’s claimants.

This is how a Direct Repair Program works: You are involved in an accident and contact your insurance company, or the insurer of the at-fault driver. The auto insurance company then refers you to a network of conveniently located repair facilities that offer a limited lifetime warranty on the repairs to your vehicle. The service might also offer on-site rental car arrangements. The insurance company and the collision shop handle all the details and paperwork, so you do not have to.

The collision shop and the auto insurer determine the specific provisions of a Direct Repair Program. The advantage to the collision specialist is the steady stream of referrals or work. A collision shop might participate in one, or several, insurance companies’ Direct Repair Programs.

Although a Direct Repair Program can generate additional paperwork for a body shop, it can also prevent delays. When an additional part is needed for a repair, the shop does not have to stop working on a vehicle to wait for an insurance adjuster to re-evaluate the situation and perhaps write a new estimate. Insurance companies promote the advantages of a Direct Repair Program to their customers as convenience, warranties on repair work, and the freedom from estimates and other paperwork details.

Should I use a Direct Repair Shop?

When you first contact your insurance to set up your estimate and review your policy, ask the insurance company about their Direct Repair Program and what type of warranty they give on repairs done at one of their facilities and, if applicable, will the warranty transfer out of state. Normally the insurance companies will back the warranties of the shops on their "approved" lists.

Do I have to use a Direct Repair Shop recommended by the insurance company?

No. In the end, the choice is yours. The insurance company may tell you that the shop of your choice is not on their "approved" list of shops and that they may not be able to efficiently handle your claim due to your selection of a certain shop, but do not be intimidated by this. It is your right to choose whatever shop you want to repair your vehicle.

If by chance you pick a bad shop, and they mess up your repairs, it is you against the body shop. The insurance company is only liable to pay for the original repair; it will not warranty how those repairs are made, whereas if you had gone to one of the insurance company’s direct repair facilities, then they would have to get involved and settle an problems relating to the relevant repairs.

And that wraps up Part 2. Remember, it is your car and always your choice as to where and how it gets repaired.

Sincerely yours,
Jake Maxwell

Jake started his automobile career working for a small town automobile repair shop in the South East. After working there for almost a decade, he decided to try his hand on the flip side of the coin and got a job as an auto appraiser for a large insurance company. Using the experience from both sides, he understands the needs of not only the consumers, but the auto body shops and the insurance companies. It’s a love triangle with many complex problems. Visit his blog for the complete series and more resources at Direct Repair Advice and Insurance Questions.

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Technorati Tags: auto insurance claim, auto insurance claims, car insurance claim, car insurance claims, funny insurance claims, home insurance claims, homeowners insurance claims, insurance claims, insurance claims adjuster

Have you ever had to deal with getting your car repaired after an accident? Want to be prepared in case that day ever comes? Then this series of questions and answers is for you. We take you through some the most commonly asked questions when dealing with making a claim and what the process is in getting a vehicle repaired after a claim.

Before contacting an insurance company: What do I do if I’m involved in an accident or need to make an insurance claim?

Accidents are almost always unexpected and very stressful. It’s important to keep as calm as possible.

Being prepared in the case of an accident is also important. Keep an emergency kit in your trunk or under a seat with a set of collapsible cones, warning triangles or even emergency flares. Make sure you also have a PEN and a card with relevant medical information for you and your family. Keep a disposable camera handy to take pictures, especially one that has a flash in case the accident is at night. Most disposable cameras are fairly durable and can survive the heat of a car, especially if stored away from direct sunlight. Replace it every two years to be sure the film is fresh.

What to do right after an auto accident:

* Stay as calm as possible.
* Call the police immediately. They will write up a police report that will have a report number which you will need.
* Check for injuries. Life and health are more important than damage to vehicles. When in doubt, call an ambulance.
* If the accident is minor and there are no serious injuries, most states will allow you to your vehicles to a safe place, rather than risk being in moving traffic. Check your states laws.
* Turn on hazard lights. If warranted, and possible, use cones, warning triangles or flares for safety. Turn car engine off so it does not risk sparking a fire.
* Make immediate notes about the accident including the specific damages to all vehicles involved. If the name on the auto registration and/or insurance policy is different from the name of the driver, establish the relationship and write it down. Get witness information, if possible, as well. Swap information with the other party. Names, phone numbers, insurance policy information, tag numbers, VIN number and make of vehicle.
* Don’t sign any documents unless a police officer asks you to sign for a ticket.
* Be polite, but don’t ever tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was. Likewise, do not accuse the other drivers of being at fault at this time. It is wise to state only the facts. Limit your discussion of the accident to the insurance agent and the police.
* If you have a camera handy, and it is safe to do so, it may be helpful to photograph the accident scene. You want to get pictures of the cars involved, the people, and especially the damage before it is taken away from the scene. Pictures of skid marks or guard rails or other objects that were part of the accident are also useful.
* If possible, do not leave the accident scene before the police officers and other drivers do.
* Finally, remember that while getting the facts is very important, investigating the accident should be left to the police officers and the insurance companies.
* Don’t accept offers to settle for payment on the spot without careful consideration. You may be held liable later for the same damages.

What do I do if I am involved in an accident or have to make a claim after I contact the insurance company?

All insurance companies have different procedures and policies on reporting an accident. Check with your insurance carrier and request the proper steps.

How do I get an estimate done on my vehicle?

Once the insurance company has the information about the accident including a police report, they will set up an appointment with either a field appraiser or a Direct Repair Auto Body Shop to write the repair estimate.

If the accident or claim is not my fault, do I go through my insurance company or the other person’s insurance company?

Report the crash to your insurance company immediately or within the time specified by your policy along with a copy of any police reports or supporting documents. Then report it to the other insurance company. Typically each company will have its own way of handling a claim. The majority of the time, if it is not your fault, the other insurance company will process the claim. Just keep on top of them to insure your case is being handled promptly and to your satisfaction. That wraps up the first part of this 3 part series. I hope you found some good information to help you understand the process of getting a vehicle repaired after an insurance claim.

Jake started his automobile career working for a small town automobile repair shop in the South East. After working there for almost a decade, he decided to try his hand on the flip side of the coin and got a job as an auto appraiser for a large insurance company. Using the experience from both sides, he understands the needs of not only the consumers, but the auto body shops and the insurance companies. It’s a love triangle with many complex problems. Visit his blog for the complete series and more resources at AutoBodyFAQ.com.

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