Charleston West Virginia Insurance Defense Attorney, WV Lawyer

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Frequently Asked Questions about Insurance Law

Q: How do I file a claim with my insurance company?

A: The first thing to do is to read your written contract with your insurance company. If you do not have a paper copy, contact your insurance company and request a current copy. The process for filing a claim should be included in the terms of your insurance contract. If you have any questions, check your insurance company's Web site, contact your local insurance company representative, or call your insurance company's customer service number. Overall, read and become familiar with your policy. As an insured, you are responsible for reading the fine print and understanding the terms of your insurance policy.

Generally, insurance companies require notice of any loss for which you will be filing a claim. You should notify your insurance company of any loss within a reasonable period of time. Most policies require an insured to file a "proof of loss" document, describing the details of the loss, and attesting to the truth of the claim. Often an appraisal must be obtained to assess the value of property damage. In addition, the insured must take adequate steps to prevent any subsequent damage. Lastly, it is important to maintain good records, including receipts, warranties, proof of ownership, etc.

If you are planning on filing a claim with your insurance company make sure you are aware and familiar with the requirements of your insurance company and read the terms of your insurance contract. Failure to understand and comply with filing guidelines can result in an otherwise valid claim being denied. If you have any questions on how to file a claim contact an insurance law attorney today to discuss your case.

West Virginia Insurance Law Attorneys

The West Virginia law firm of Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, PLLC is dedicated to serving the needs of insurance carriers and their insured clients. The firm's clients include such industry leaders as American Insurance Group (AIG), Travelers Insurance Group, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Fire & Casualty Insurance Company, Zurich, Safeco Insurance Companies, Westfield Insurance Company, Crum & Forster, Nautilus, CNA, The Chubb Group, and Hartford Insurance Group.

The following provides general information about insurance law. For specific information about the law firm's practice, see their insurance law or coverage opinions pages.

For more information, contact a Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, PLLC insurance law attorney.

The insurance law lawyers at Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, PLLC serve clients throughout West Virginia, including Charleston, Beckley, Morgantown, and Parkersburg.

Insurance Law - An Overview

Most people own at least some type of insurance, such as auto, health, life, home, disability, fire/casualty, renters, title, marine, or long-term care insurance. Businesses and professionals often also take out insurance, including small business, liability, and workers compensation insurance. Insurance law primarily revolves around issues arising out of a contract between the insurance company and the insured party. Generally, an insurance contract distributes some type of risk among a substantial number of members through an insurer, typically an insurance company. If you are facing insurance law issues or have questions about an insurance policy claim or related coverage matters, contact our firm to schedule a consultation with an attorney.

Filing Claims with Your Insurance Company

Typically, an insurance policy includes specific requirements that insured individuals must follow to receive any proceeds from their insurance policies. First, insurance companies usually require the insured party to give notice of any loss immediately to the insurer. Generally, an insured must inform the insurance company of his or her loss within a reasonable time. The insurer can then investigate the claim and gather information while the circumstances surrounding the loss are fresh and recent, and the insurance company can take additional steps to prevent future loss.

In addition, some insurance policies include time limitations, often set out by state statute. These restrictions disallow an action to be brought against the insurance policy after a specific period of time, such as one year, after the date of loss.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If you drive a car, you need to purchase automobile insurance. In fact, in many states, car insurance is mandated by law. Regardless of your state's law, it is important to protect yourself, your loved ones, and other drivers by having insurance. However, some drivers do not have insurance or carry insurance that is insufficient to cover personal injuries in the event of an accident. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage comes into play in these situations. If you have questions about uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, contact our firm to schedule a consultation with an attorney.

Insurance Information Center