​Insurance Claims Lawyer

Insurance Claims Lawyer

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If you need to file an insurance claim, you cannot trust the insurer to act in good faith. That is not how these companies work. Every day individuals must deal with an insurance company reducing, delaying, or denying their claims.

If you are in this position and find yourself in a dispute with the insurance company after filing an insurance claim, you may pursue legal action to obtain the money you need. Better yet, with an insurance claims lawyer from the law firm of Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, fighting for your rights, you will not have to take on this complicated legal ordeal alone.

Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA—About Us

At the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, our legal team gets clients results while providing them the exceptional services they need. When you reach out to us, we make it a point to meet one-on-one to review your case. We work directly with you to ensure we handle your claim appropriately while fiercely fighting for the money you deserve.

Because of our dedication to each of our clients, we have helped countless individuals and secured millions of dollars through settlement negotiations and jury verdicts on their behalf. We have also been nationally recognized as “Clients Choice for Personal Injury” by AVVO.

For these reasons, if you suffered harm in an accident and require legal help, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We are not only a Florida law firm but a national one, and we serve clients all over the country, meaning all you have to do is find an office near you and reach out to discuss your case.

How Insurance Claims Work

An insurance claim is the policyholder’s formal request to the insurance company to recover compensation for a covered loss or policy event. Once the insurance company receives this request, they will review it and either validate it or deny it. If the insurer approves it, they will issue payment once the policyholder pays the deductible.

While several situations give rise to an insurance claim, the below claims are some of the most common:

  • Auto insurance: If you are involved in a car crash with another motorist, someone steals your car, or a collision or a natural disaster damages your vehicle, you can file an auto insurance claim to recover compensation for these damages.
  • Homeowners insurance: If your home a fire, storm, or vandalism damages your home, you may file a homeowners insurance claim to obtain compensation for your losses. However, this insurance typically does not cover every disaster that can destroy your home, like floods and landslides. Rather, you must get separate coverage to protect your home against these risks.
  • Health insurance: You make a health insurance claim every time you receive medical care or fill a prescription covered by your insurance.
  • Life insurance: If a person dies and has a life insurance policy, their beneficiaries can file a claim with the insurer to receive the policy’s proceeds.
  • Workers’ compensation insurance: If you are injured or become sick at work, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to receive medical and wage benefits.

These claims can cover everything from comprehensive medical exams to death benefits. We can review your insurance policy for you and tell you what it covers. If you do not understand why an insurance company will not cover your claim, reach out to our knowledgeable insurance lawyers. We can verify what your policy includes.

AAA Auto Insurance Claims

It can be hard to recover compensation from AAA after a car accident. This is because AAA insurance isn’t just one big company. It works with many other smaller auto clubs in every state, for example, the Auto Club South in Florida.

The different auto clubs across the states make it hard to get settlements as they all have different rules. A car accident lawyer is your best bet when looking to get compensation. All clubs have laws that limit the support the injured party can expect, and a lawyer will help you navigate their system to get your due.

Like most insurance companies, AAA has a playbook to keep victims in the dark about their compensation. You also must find the specific set of rules that apply to the branch you are using, leaving you at a great disadvantage. A car accident or personal injury lawyer ensures you get fair treatment and helps you pursue a fair settlement.

Allstate Auto Insurance Claims

Allstate, like any insurance company, is a for-profit business. Their primary goal is to minimize the amount of money they pay out on claims, even if it means denying legitimate claims or offering lowball settlements. While they may present themselves as a friendly, trustworthy partner, their interests are not aligned with yours.

When you file an Allstate insurance claim, the company will have a team of experienced adjusters, lawyers, and other professionals working to protect their bottom line.

They may use a variety of tactics to undervalue your claim, delay the process, or even outright deny your claim. That’s why it’s critical to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side, someone who can advocate for your rights and ensure that you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Challenges of Allstate Insurance Claims

Allstate is known as a tough negotiator, and their adjusters often employ a variety of tactics to undermine or delay the claims process. Some of the most common challenges of dealing with Allstate include:

  1. Denial of Liability: Allstate may argue the accident was not their policyholder’s fault, even in cases where the evidence is on your side.
  2. Undervaluation of Damages: The insurance company may offer far less compensation than the value of your claim, failing to fully account for the extent of your injuries, property damage, and other losses.
  3. Delay Tactics: Allstate may request additional information or documentation to prolong the claims process and wear down the policyholder.
  4. Surveillance and Investigations: Allstate may conduct surveillance to try to find evidence that could be used to deny or devalue your claim.
  5. Disputes over Medical Treatment: The insurance company may question the necessity or appropriateness of your medical treatment, potentially refusing to cover certain expenses.

Without the guidance of an experienced personal injury lawyer, it can be incredibly difficult to navigate these obstacles and secure the compensation you deserve.

Homeowners Insurance Claims

Homeowners often need to file a variety of claims for different types of damage to their home, such as:

Fire Damage Insurance Claim

Fire damage can be devastating to a family. Not only can an entire home be lost, but the contents inside the home can be damaged or completely destroyed as well. Most fires, and the smoke damage caused by them, are covered by Florida homeowners insurance policies, and it is important to review your policy and contact your insurance company to make a claim. If the insurance company fails to give you what you deserve, they may be wrongfully denying your claim or offering you less than what you deserve hoping you take that and walk away. You may have a potential claim and should contact us right away if you are dealing with such a situation.

Stucco Damage Insurance Claim

Stucco damage is on the rise in Florida. If you live in a home which was built prior to 2009, there is a chance that the stucco on the exterior of your home has failed, or will fail in the near future. Stucco which has failed allows water to seep inside your walls, and the results can be devastating. Once this water makes it inside the walls, the wood soaks up the water and slowly begins to rot. This can cause mold issues or even worse, structural issues.

Hurricane Damage Insurance Claim

In Florida, every year there is the chance that a hurricane will sweep through our area. When hurricanes do hit, they cause massive property damage. A majority of these claims are related to roof or structural failure. Damage to the roof can take place in a variety of forms, including brittle shingles, granular loss on shingles and shingle bruising. Once a roof fails, the likelihood that water will enter the home becomes even greater. Typically, depending on the amount of damage, losses from hurricane damage should be covered by your homeowners insurance policy.

Water Damage Insurance Claim

Water damage can cause issues that aren’t even noticeable. If there is a major water leak, that water will make its way through carpet and wood and will seep into the wood surrounding your home. This can cause boards to rot and mold to grow. Replacing the damage done by water can costs tens of thousands of dollars and can result in major renovation work. Depending on your insurance policy, some of these damages may be covered.

Progressive Insurance Claims

If you’re having a problem getting compensation from Progressive after an auto accident, you have legal options with Dolman Law Group. Our team advocates for claimants looking to recoup damages for their medical expenses, lost income, and other expenses. Whether Progressive is your own insurer or the at-fault driver’s, we’re ready to pursue what you need.

Dolman Law Group doesn’t play games. If we see that Progressive isn’t handling your claim in good faith, we will negotiate for what you deserve.

If Progressive denies your insurance claim, it must give a reason why. For instance, if you accidentally gave the wrong information, we can assess your claim’s paperwork and make any corrections. If the insurer claims you don’t have coverage, we can assess the liable policy and assert otherwise.

The insurance company can’t deny your claim without a valid reason. If it does, this could constitute a bad faith insurance practice.

State Farm Insurance Claims

Many claimants believe: “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” For the most part, State Farm handles insurance claims in good faith and upholds its promises when paying claims. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. Sometimes, State Farm doesn’t conduct itself as it should.

If you suffered harm in an accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Per State Farm’s website, you should also:

  • Document your medical bills and necessary treatments
  • Keep track of your appointments
  • Review the liable policy

Seeking medical attention shows your injuries are related to the accident. It also provides you with medical documentation that demonstrates the severity of your condition.

The Different Reasons an Insurance Company Denies an Insurance Claim

Most people believe the insurance company wants to help them after an accident, primarily since this is the purpose of having insurance and paying premiums. However, this is not how these companies operate.

Like other businesses, the insurance company wants to make a profit. By offering you less or denying your claim, they make more money. These insurance companies and adjusters will have a stockpile of reasons for denying your claim. Yet, while some of these reasons may be legitimate, many are not.

Consider the following common reasons that the insurance company may deny an insurance claim:

  • An error with the claim: Check your policy after an accident to review the rules regarding notifying the insurance company. Some insurance companies have timelines that require you to submit a claim within 24 hours. If you don’t, the insurer will deny the claim.
  • An error with the application: Some insurance companies may argue that you made an error when you filled out your insurance claim application and, as a result, will deny your claim.
  • A lack of coverage: Depending on the circumstances of the incident, the insurance company may argue that their policy does not cover your claim.
  • A bad faith denial: A bad faith denial typically involves the insurance company refusing to pay an insurance claim without a reasonable basis. Instead, they will issue a denial by using confusing policy jargon to hide the fact they do not have a reason to deny your claim. On the other hand, they may have a reasonable basis for denying, but if they fail to properly investigate the claim promptly, it can still be a bad faith denial if they reject the claim.

What Legal Action Can You Take Against the Insurance Company?

If an insurance company does not uphold the terms of your insurance policy, you may take them to court for breach of contract, especially when you have always paid your premiums and properly filed your claim.

In addition, depending on the circumstances of the incident, you may also pursue a bad faith tort lawsuit. For instance, if you discover that the company outright manipulated the terms of its policy to avoid paying you the money you deserve, this could warrant a bad faith suit.

To understand your legal options and determine whether you can bring one of these claims, it is often in your interest to reach out to an experienced insurance attorney. Our skilled insurance lawyers from the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, can review what happened, check the state’s rules regarding your claim, determine your legal options, and go after the financial damages you deserve.

When Can You Sue the Insurance Company for a Denied Claim?

Insurance companies are not only obligated to pay compensation for fair claims submitted by policyholders, but they must also follow the terms specified in the contract, act in good faith of the agreement, and avoid unfair tactics.

As a result, when the insurance company does not meet these standards and denies your claim, you may have a reason to sue the insurance company, especially if they:

  • Do not conduct a proper investigation into the claim.
  • Delay the investigation.
  • Do not approve the claim within the agreed-upon timeframe.
  • Do not explain why they denied the claim.
  • Refuse or deny to pay the claim where liability is reasonably shown.

For these reasons, if you believe an insurance company denied your claim unfairly, contact an experienced insurance lawyer, such as those at the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA. These legal professionals can review your claim, determine if the insurer is liable for unfairly denying it, and help you pursue the compensation you need.

The Damages You Can Recover When You Sue the Insurance Company

If you bring a lawsuit against the insurance company, you may recover compensation. This compensation will often depend on the state rules, your policy, and the facts of the case. You may recover the following types of financial damages:

Economic Damages

These damages refer to payment for the actual losses that result from the incident, including:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • The loss of the use of a motor vehicle or the home
  • Property damages
  • The loss of job opportunities
  • The costs of the suit and lawyer fees
  • Money for all the losses resulting from unpaid insurance benefits

Non-Economic Losses

These damages refer to payment for the subjective losses that result from the incident and the insurance company’s conduct, including:

  • Anxiety
  • Emotional anguish
  • Pain and suffering
  • Inconvenience

Punitive Damages

You may also pursue punitive damages depending on the facts of the case. While the above damages make the victim whole after an incident, punitive damages penalize the wrongful party for their egregious actions and prevent other parties or entities from doing the same. Consequently, these damages are not awarded in each case but are limited based on the state and court regulations.

Protecting Your Legal Claim When Suing the Insurance Company

After an insurance company denies your claim, the situation may feel overwhelming and stressful, especially as you determine your next steps. However, if you pursue legal action against the insurance company, remember that the process of holding the insurance company accountable is not easy, and you must prepare when taking on these companies. That is why you should:

Document All Communication

When you communicate with the insurance company, keep a copy of all correspondence, whether by email or phone. Just ensure this information is detailed. For instance, if you are taking a call with the insurance company, stay calm, write down the date, time, and name of the representative you speak to, and include everything you discuss.

Keep Track of Expenses

You want to keep a detailed record of all your expenses, including your lost wages, attorney fees, property repairs, and medical bills. However, make sure you also keep a copy of all the receipts associated with these costs.

You will also want pictures from the incident, including photos of the damage to your property and yourself immediately after the accident.

Refrain from Sharing Information About Your Case Online

To your face and on the phone, the claims adjuster might seem like the nicest person you’ve ever met. However, behind the scenes, they may do everything possible to deny or undervalue your case.

For instance, they may peruse your public social media accounts, looking for information to contest your case. This may include looking for:

  • Recent photos of yourself looking uninjured
  • Posts that allude to your well-being (and the lack of a serious condition)
  • Comments about your role in the accident
  • Photos of your property being damaged long before you filed a claim

While your claim is pending, we recommend limiting your social media use. You don’t want to inadvertently say anything that could jeopardize your right to damages.

Don’t Give a Recorded Statement

State Farm may ask you to give a recorded statement and ask you some questions about your situation. The claims adjuster may act as though this is business as usual. It’s not.

You only have to give the insurance company basic information about your claim, such as your policy number. By giving a recorded statement, you give the insurance company more information to contest your case.

If you’re asked to give a recorded statement, tell your lawyer. From there, they’ll give the insurance company the information it needs to process your case.

Reach out to an Experienced Insurance Attorney

Personal Injury Lawyer
Matthew Dolman, Insurance Claims Lawyer

Taking on insurance companies requires strong legal skills and knowledge of how insurance companies work. For these reasons, reach out to an experienced insurance attorney who has previously handled these claims.

When you meet with these lawyers, discuss everything that happened, and provide them with all the evidence you collected, including receipts, photos, and correspondence with the insurance company. Your attorney can use this evidence to prepare a strong legal case and go after the justice and compensation you deserve after the insurance company has denied your claim.

Our lawyers have a lot of experience in this sector, and they know the steps like the back of their hands. They will take your case off your hands, leaving you to focus on your recovery and doing all the murky work for you.

Plus, because most of these lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, you will not have to pay out of pocket for your attorney. Instead, these lawyers will only receive a percentage of the benefits they recover from your insurance provider, which means they will not get compensated if you do not get paid.

Our lawyers can deal with the bad faith insurance to ensure AAA insurance doesn’t take advantage of you.

Some of the ways our lawyers can help include:

  • Collecting evidence: A lawyer will go to the accident scene and collect any evidence, including traffic footage of the accident and eyewitness statements.
  • Filing the claims reports: Filing claims uses legal wording that can confuse you. Your lawyer is familiar with the terminology, and they can fill the forms easily.
  • Negotiating a fair settlement: Our lawyers take accurate stock of your case and give it a monetary value. They then negotiate with the insurance company to get you compensation that covers all your needs.
  • Offering legal advice: The lawyer advises you on the best ways to proceed with your case and answer all your questions, putting your mind at ease.
  • Courtroom Advocacy: If the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith, we are prepared to take your case to court and fight for your rights in the legal system. Our extensive trial experience gives us the confidence and skills to achieve the best possible outcome.

  • Expert Testimony: If necessary, we will enlist the help of medical and financial experts to provide detailed analysis and testimony to support your claim.

Contact a Insurance Claims Attorney Today

Dealing with the insurance company can be a challenging ordeal. Thankfully, you do not have to do it on your own.

If you are facing an insurance dispute, contact the Dolman Law Group today at 833-552-7274 for a free consultation and let our attorneys help you go after the money you deserve.

Matthew Dolman, Esq.
Legally Reviewed by

Matthew Dolman, Esq.

Founding Partner • Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
National Civil Trial Attorney

Matt Dolman is a Florida civil trial attorney with more than two decades of experience representing individuals in matters involving Insurance Claims. His practice is built on disciplined case preparation, strategic litigation, and a clear understanding of how insurers evaluate claims. Dolman Law Group has secured more than $700 million in recoveries for clients. Matt is recognized by Super Lawyers, Florida Legal Elite, and Best Lawyers, and is a Lifetime Member of both the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums.

Florida Bar Member in Good Standing