Navigating Legal and General Life Insurance Claims: Tips for Policyholders

When you buy a legal or life insurance policy, you expect the insurance company to provide the coverage you have paid for. However, if the insurance company must pay out, policyholders often face the prospect of denying their claim or offering a lower-than-fair amount.

“When you are dealing with the loss of your loved one, the last thing you need is a fight with an insurance company that you trusted and dutifully paid premiums to over many years.  Your loved one purchased a life policy to protect you in the event of his or her death – and now, in a time or grief and need, the insurance company is giving you a problem on the payout.  – Lalande Personal Injury Lawyers”

Tips for Policyholders When Dealing with Legal and General Life Insurance Claims

When you purchase legal insurance, you expect to receive the legal services covered under your policy. Legal insurance covers several essential legal services, including traffic violations, consumer law, divorce, debt collection defense, and special programs to help protect the livelihood of several professions.

Life insurance remains one of the most popular insurance coverages because it can help provide for your family after you are gone. However, life insurance can also offer several benefits while you are living by allowing an accelerated death benefit to help with your long-term care, to draw a cash value, take a loan against the cash value, or sell the life insurance policy.

However, ensuring you get the general life insurance payout or legal assistance you have paid for may sometimes be tricky. Here are some tips for dealing with legal and general life insurance companies to ensure you get what’s rightfully yours when you put in a claim:

1.     Keep a record of all calls and correspondence with your insurer

Keep a file with your policy documents. Add all written correspondence from your insurer to the file and make a note of any written correspondence or emails you have sent them.

Additionally, keep a record of all phone calls made to your insurer and the phone bills that list the calls. In the history, add the date, time, and person’s name and position you spoke to during your call.

Follow your call with a written letter or email stating your discussion and requesting a response within 30 days to ensure you have understood their intentions correctly.

These details are vital because they provide proof if needed and can help speed up the claims process.

2.     A “no” does not necessarily mean the end of your claim

Often a policyholder may meet a denial on their initial application for a claim. Don’t give up because an initial “no” does not necessarily mean you cannot pursue the issue. If you feel your claim was unjustly denied, immediately inform the insurer that you are contesting their decision.

Most state laws require an insurer to provide the denial in written form. If they haven’t sent you a written explanation, ask for one.

Questioning the insurance company can lead to a reassessment of a case or even an increase in the settlement amount.

3.     Back your claim with research

Before putting in your claim, conduct research to help you comprehend what you can expect to receive in terms of a payout. The research makes it easier to support and challenge your claim should they deny you or offer a smaller settlement amount.

4.     Review policy clauses

A quick review of your policy will help you understand it. For example, you may have misinterpreted it, or the insurance company might ignore a clause. In addition, reviewing your policy lets you know if they have made an unfair decision when considering your insurance claim.

5.     Were you notified of a reduction in coverage?

If your insurer insists your claim was denied due to a reduction in coverage, it’s essential to see if you ever received a notification. If your insurer never did notify you, and you have the paperwork to prove it, they have violated the law, and you have a better chance of receiving your total payout.

6.     Filing errors don’t constitute the grounds for a claim refusal

It’s essential to follow the claim filing instructions correctly. However, you should also know that the insurer has no grounds to refuse your claim if you made any errors or missed a deadline. An insurer can only refuse to pay a valid claim if it can prove that the mistake or late filing prevented an adequate investigation or harmed the company.

7.     Get help from your insurance agent or group policy administrator

Your group policy administrator or insurance agent that helped you purchase your policy must protect your interests regarding your insurance coverage. Ask them to help you when claiming to ensure you do it correctly.

8.     Time for resolutions should not exceed 30 days

Give your insurer a month to resolve an issue. Then, if you don’t hear anything from them, contact them directly. Remember, always keep a record of all your conversations with their representatives.

9.     Speak to someone higher up

If no resolution is forthcoming, insist on speaking to someone in a more senior position within the insurance company. Retain your calm and talk politely to everyone, but remain persistent., giving you a better chance to get your claim issues resolved.

10. No results? Make a written complaint.

If you have made countless calls without results, resort to another channel – the written complaint. First to the person who denied your claim, then to their supervisor. Always keep a copy of each letter, and send it by registered mail to ensure you have proof of mailing it and its receipt.

In the letter, briefly describe your issue, policy number, copy of your claim form, the problems the claim denial has caused, all other supporting documents, and the expenses incurred so far. Stay polite and request a response within a specific time frame – three weeks to 30 days is reasonable.

11. No response from the supervisor. Follow up with customer service

If you don’t receive any response after sending a letter to the person that denied the claim or their supervisor, you still have one final path to try – the customer service department. In your letter, attach the original letter to prove that they have failed to respond promptly, something that’s considered an unfair insurance practice across most states.

Get help from your state’s Department of Insurance

Some states have a department of Insurance that can help to mediate disputes for free.

12. Argue your case through an insurance lawyer

If all the above tips fail, an insurance lawyer can help you with your research and argue your case. Their expertise gives you the best chance to get a successful claim payout, even taking the case to court if required.

If you think your insurer blatantly disregards the law, contact a lawyer and the state’s insurance department. They will investigate the case and even prosecute if they find any violations.

Remember, it’s important to remember that although an insurer has denied your claim, you still have a right to dispute this decision. Don’t give up, as options are available to resolve claims fairly. Reviewing your policy lets you know if they have made an unfair decision when considering your insurance claim. Research all available options and challenge any unfair decisions with vigor!

By following these tips and using the resources at hand, you can be sure to get fair treatment from your insurer regarding insurance claim resolution.

FAQs

What if my insurance company refuses to pay?

If your insurer refuses to pay your claim, you can take a few steps to try and get your money. First, contact the person who denied the claim and ask for an explanation of why it was denied. If that fails, send a written complaint to their supervisor with all proofs and documents attached. If still unsuccessful, contact customer service or file a complaint with the state’s Department of Insurance. Finally, if nothing else works, hire an insurance lawyer and argue your case in court if necessary.

What should I do if my insurance company delays payment?

If your insurer is delaying payment on your claim, you can take several steps to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. First, ensure to keep records of all communications and promptly provide any additional information they request. If your claim is still being delayed, try escalating the issue by contacting their supervisor directly or filing a complaint with the state’s Department of Insurance. Finally, you can hire an insurance lawyer to argue your case if no resolution has been made.

What should I do if my insurer doesn’t respond to my queries?

If your insurer isn’t responding to calls or emails, you can take several steps to get them to respond. First, contact the person who denied the claim and ask for an explanation of why it was denied. If that fails, send a written complaint to their supervisor with all proofs and documents attached.

Tips to Remember When Filing a Legal and General Life Insurance Claim:

1. Know your policy inside out

2. Thoroughly document the claim process

3. Keep records of all communication with your insurer

4. Review the terms of your policy before filing a claim

5. Ask for a detailed explanation if you’re denied coverage

6. Get help from your insurance agent or group policy administrator

7. Time for resolutions should not exceed 30 days

8. Speak to someone higher up

9. No results? Make a written complaint

10. No response from the supervisor – Follow up with customer service

11. Argue your case through an insurance lawyer

12. Get help from your state’s Department of Insurance

13. Remember to remain persistent and polite when dealing with an insurer and promptly follow up on requests for additional documents.

With a little effort, you can get the Legal and General life insurance claim resolution you deserve. Remember, persistence pays off!

Tips when purchasing insurance

1. Compare different policy rates and options

2. Investigate the insurance provider’s history and reputation

3. Read the fine print of any policy you are considering

4. Ask questions to ensure that you understand the coverage being offered

5. Consider purchasing additional riders or add-ons to enhance your coverage

6. Work with a licensed insurance agent who can provide advice and guidance on which policy is best for you

7. Don’t be afraid to shop around for better offers if you’re not satisfied with what one company has to offer

8. Make sure that your premiums are within your budget and won’t cause financial hardship in the future

9. Always keep copies of your insurance policy and any related documents in a safe place

10. It’s important to review your policy annually or if significant life changes affect its terms.

11. Familiarize yourself with the claims process before filing a claim

12. Keep records of all communication with your insurer and promptly follow up on any requests for additional documents.

13. Take time to research options available for appealing a denied claim and understand the appeals process

14. Don’t be afraid to seek legal advice to get fair treatment from an insurer regarding insurance claims resolution.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure you get the right coverage at the right price and be prepared when filing a Legal and General Life Insurance claim. It pays to shop around, so don’t hesitate to compare different insurance policies before committing to one. With preparation and research, you can ensure that your legal and general life insurance claim is handled efficiently, fairly, and effectively.