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What am I required to do when I have a claim?
Every insurance policy specifies certain duties that an insured must perform after a loss has occurred. The exact duties vary among different policies and will be different for property damage claims than for liability claims. These duties are usually included in the section of the insurance policy entitled "Conditions," since failure by the insured to perform one or more of these duties could relieve the insurance company of its obligation to pay the claim -- i.e., the insured's duties are a contractual "condition" of the insurance company's obligation to perform its duties under the policy.
Policies usually require an insured to give "prompt notice" of any loss, including basic information about what property was damaged or the time and place of an accident or injury. If there has been property damage, the insured will be obligated to take reasonable steps to protect the property from further damage. If there is a theft loss, policies often require that the police must be notified. In the event of a liability claim, you must promptly send the insurance company copies of any notices or other legal papers you receive. For a claim under a life insurance policy, you may be required to provide a copy of the death certificate for the insured person. Almost all property and liability policies contain a general requirement that the insured must cooperate with the insurance company in the investigation, settlement or defense of the claim. |
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Are there legal limitations on insurance company business practices?
Are there any limitations on what an insurance company can charge for insurance?
Can an insurance company cancel my policy for any reason it chooses?
Can I cancel my policy at any time and will there be a penalty?
What happens when there is a claim?
If I am sued, does my insurance company defend me in court?
If I am sued, can my insurance company settle the case without my consent?
What is a ‘reservation of rights’ letter?
What can I do when an insurance company refuses to pay a claim?
Lawsuit for ‘bad faith’
Are there any options for resolving a dispute with my insurance company other than suing the company in court?Arbitration
Complaint to department of insurance
What are ‘exclusions’ and ‘limitations’ and how do they affect my coverage?
Are there any government agencies that regulate how insurance companies operate?
Why would someone need or be required to have insurance?
Is a business required to provide health, life and other insurance coverage for its employees?
What is an insurance policy?
What is an ‘insurable interest’?
What am I required to do when I have a claim?
Can an insurance company refuse to sell me insurance for any reason it chooses?
If I miss a premium payment and get a cancellation notice, is there anything I can do to be able to keep the policy?
If I think certain words in my policy mean something different from what my insurance company says they mean, how do we resolve it?
How does an insurance policy ‘protect’ me?
I have a friend who is an avid motorcycle rider and who particularly enjoys driving while drunk. Can I take a out a large insurance policy on him? My odds of collecting are higher than the lottery!
We have a policy limit of $100,000. Does this mean that any medical bills, damages, legal fees, etc. That exceed that limit are my responsibility?
Why does it matter that I give an adjuster my social security number?
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