An accident involves the possibility of damages occurring to more than one body, or to cover damages coming under the purview of more than one insurance company. In multiple instances in Florida, just one accident can lay claim to various lines of insurance claims: property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, or some combination thereof. Navigating the whole process can seem overwhelming, especially having to deal with different adjusters, deadlines, and coverage limits.
What To Expect When Filing Multiple Claims?
1. When Multiple Claims May Be Necessary
More than one accident can sometimes mean more than one type of loss, like:
- Automobile accidents result in damage to vehicles plus bodily injuries.
- Storm or flooding can damage both your home and car.
- Slip and fall accidents on someone else’s property result in medical bills and lost income.
2. Reporting the Claims
Soon after the accident, claims should be reported to the insurance company of the respective type as soon as possible. You should give some basic information about it, but you should refrain from giving your own opinions regarding fault and the total cost of your damages until all documentation has been processed.
You should be assigned separate claim numbers and claim adjusters handling each policy. Your auto insurance may repair the car while your health insurance takes care of medical treatment, for example.
3. Coordinating Your Coverage
One of the major hurdles in filing multiple claims is coordinating things between the insurers. For example, after a car accident, your auto insurance might cover your initial medical bills while your health insurance covers any subsequent treatment. If the other party is determined to be at fault, then his/her liability insurance may reimburse you later for damages initially covered by your policies.
4. Expect Delays and Overlap
When two insurance companies are involved, an insurance company may wait for the decision of the other one. Adjusters may require a duplicate set of documents or argue on the issue of which documents are entitled to be covered. Be patient and yet persistent: do call for information often and ensure that the requested documents get forwarded promptly.
5. When to Get Professional Help
You should consider calling an attorney specializing in insurance claims or a public adjuster if there are unreasonable delays in processing your claims or if claims have been denied or underpaid. By doing so, they will be able to coordinate between insurers, protect your rights, and ensure that you get paid fairly under every policy involved.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is a personal injury attorney St Petersburg FL. She focuses on personal injury, car accidents, and bicyclist injuries. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your situation.
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