Filing a claim with your insurance provider is never a simple process. Whether dealing with a property damage, jury or bad faith insurance claim, first-party insurance claims can leave you uncertain and overwhelmed.
The Cory Watson law firm of personal injury attorneys has decades of experience in first-party insurance claims and the tools to get your claim filed fast.
Why Work with Us?
Dealing with insurance companies for even the simplest reason is a confusing process, and that’s no accident. They want you as confused and clueless as possible to get you to accept a lowball settlement.
The insurance companies highlight their simple online claims process and their easy-to-use apps on your phone. Both are just a front for the insurance companies’ efforts to keep money in their shareholders’ pocket and out of yours.
The Cory Watson team are some of the country’s best lawyers. We are A+ members of the Better Business Bureau, the Top 100 National Trial Lawyers, The American Association of Trial Lawyers, and we were named one of the country’s best firms in 2023 by U.S. News.
At Cory Watson Attorneys, we gauge our firm’s accomplishments by the tangible impact we create in our clients’ lives. Our dedicated team is unwavering in our commitment to serving our clients, striving tirelessly to advocate for justice.
We find great honor and purpose through our enduring connections with our clients and unwavering commitment to safeguarding their best interests.
We believe every case is only as good as the lawyers behind it and will stop at nothing to get you the compensation you deserve for your injury.
At Cory Watson Attorneys, we take pride in our accomplishments on behalf of our clients. These achievements restore our clients’ well-being and contribute to the greater safety of our communities and the world at large.
- $50 million jury verdict for an Ohio resident after he suffered testicular cancer caused by forever chemicals the Dupont Company dumped in his drinking water.
- $25 million jury verdict against Nissan for a faulty brake situation that led to three deaths and a wrongful manslaughter charge.
- $10 billion settlement with Monsanto on behalf of the multitudes of Americans suffering from cancer after exposure to their weed killer.
Our clients have praised us for our kindness, compassion, responsiveness, openness, and professionalism.
It’s easy to find out how fast we can help you get your life back to normal. Give us a call at (205) 328-2200, or stop by the office at 2131 Magnolia Avenue South in Birmingham. We’re right across from beautiful Brother Bryan Park.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Birmingham, call 877-562-0000
How Much is My Case Worth?
A first-party insurance claim is when you file a lawsuit against your insurance provider. It is commonly referred to as a bad faith insurance claim when the insurer fails to fulfill its obligations.
You could file a claim against your insurance company for not paying after a crash with an uninsured or underinsured motorist and you carry UM/UIM coverage, or if you purchased MedPay. You could also file a claim against your insurance company for failing to pay adequate repair or replacement cost after a house fire or tornado damage.
Losses are called damages in the court system, and they’re all assigned a monetary value.
Many factors come into play when figuring out the value of a claim, such as:
- The details of the incident.
- The nature and extent of your injuries.
- The non-physical harm, like financial loss, resulting from your injuries.
- Your post-accident experience, including pain and suffering and lost enjoyment of life.
Our goal is to get you enough money to pay for the immense medical bills, rental cars, emergency expenses, and months or years’ worth of unpaid household bills that accumulate while the insurance companies waste more time and money fighting a valid claim.
We aim to right the wrongs so many victims of unscrupulous insurance companies have to face.
Birmingham First Party Insurance Lawyer Near Me 877-562-0000
First-Party versus Third-Party Insurance Claims
You and your insurance company are the first and second parties involved in insurance claims.
A first-party insurance claim involves the policyholder and their insurance company. A good example is if a hurricane or tornado damages a homeowner’s property, they will initiate a first-party insurance claim for coverage and receive compensation as stipulated in their policy.
A third-party insurance claim involves three entities:
- The policyholder
- The insurance company
- An individual the policyholder harmed (the third party)
The third party initiates these claims. If you are responsible for a car accident that harms someone else, the injured party can submit a liability claim against your insurance provider.
Contact our personal injury lawyers today
Who Should File a First-Party Insurance Claim?
The policyholder files a first-party insurance claim with their insurance company for compensation for losses or damages they incurred in a traumatic situation, such as:
- Property damage: When fire, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes damage a homeowner’s property, they can file a first-party claim to cover the costs.
- Auto accidents: Car accident survivors can file a first-party claim to cover their vehicle’s repair or replacement, medical expenses, or lost income, depending on the coverage in their policy.
- Health insurance: When an individual incurs medical expenses, they can file a first-party claim with their health insurance provider to cover a portion of the medical bills, medications, and treatments, as their policy specifies.
- Disability insurance: If a policyholder becomes disabled and can’t work, they can file a first-party disability insurance claim to receive income replacement benefits, assuming they have this coverage.
- Life insurance: If the insured dies, the beneficiaries can file a first-party life insurance claim to receive the death benefit specified in the policy.
- Personal property insurance: Private property insurance can cover lost, stolen, or damaged valuables, such as jewelry or art through first-party claims.
- Business interruption insurance: Business owners may file first-party claims to recover losses in income when covered events, like natural disasters or property damage, disrupts their business operations.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
When Do You File a First-Party Insurance Claim?
Insurance terms are difficult to comprehend. The policies are written by lawyers to confuse and bewilder the average person, so they don’t understand what’s happening with their claim and settlement.
The Cory Watson firm clears up the complex terminology and lets you know when to file a first-party insurance claim:
- If you can’t receive damages from an uninsured or underinsured motorist’s insurance after an accident.
- If your insurance company acts in bad faith by denying or delaying a claim for no legitimate reason.
- If your insurance company refuses to pay you the actual value of your property damage.
First-Party Insurance Claims in Birmingham
Alabama has rules for first-party insurance claims. By Alabama law, insurance companies must give claim forms or help to claimants within 15 days of getting the claim. They also have to say if they accept or deny the claim within 30 days after getting all the necessary proof.
Every insurance company, health service corporation, and health benefit plan that sells or renews any policy covering medical or hospital expenses must pay Alabama healthcare providers. They should do this within 45 days for paper claims or 30 days for electronic claims, starting from the day they receive a complete and error-free claim.
Several complex Alabama laws pertain to first-party claims.
The Cory Watson Firm provides specific guidance and the most up-to-date information about these relevant laws and regulations and how they can affect your case:
- Alabama Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act: This act outlines standards and practices that insurance companies must follow when handling claims. It includes provisions related to prompt investigation, fair evaluation, and timely payment of claims.
- Good faith obligations: Insurance companies are generally required to handle claims in good faith. This means they must act honestly and fairly in their dealings with policyholders and make a reasonable effort to settle claims promptly and fairly.
- Prompt payment of claims: Alabama law specifies 15-day timeframes within which insurance companies must make payments for valid claims.
- Policy provisions: Both policyholders and insurance companies must adhere to the policy’s terms, but disputes may arise when interpreting these provisions.
- Appraisal process: Some insurance policies, especially property insurance policies, may include an appraisal process to resolve disputes over the value of a claim. We will guide you on how the insurer should conduct this process.
- Alternative dispute resolution: Insurance policies may include provisions for other dispute resolution methods, such as arbitration or mediation, to resolve disputes between the policyholder and the insurance company. We go over these policies with a fine-tooth comb and inform you of what’s in your best interest.
The Alabama Department of Insurance regulates insurance practices in the state. We ensure every law and regulation works to your advantage.
You versus The Insurance Company
Fighting an insurance company for a first-party insurance claim can be a complex process.
The Cory Watson Firm helps you understand everything you need to know about the claims process to challenge the insurer effectively.
- Your policy: We carefully review your insurance policy and understand what it covers, excludes, and any limitations or conditions that apply to your claim. Nothing gets by us.
- Claim filing requirements: We know the insurance company’s requirements for filing a claim and ensure you meet all deadlines and provide the necessary documentation.
- Evidence: We help you gather and preserve all evidence related to your claim, such as accident reports, medical records, photos, witness statements, and any other documents that support your case. You may not know what evidence you need to prove your case.
- Claim adjusters: We understand the role of insurance adjusters and know that their job is to evaluate your claim and minimize the payout. We’re not going to let that happen.
- Claim denials: We carefully review any denial letters to understand the reasoning. The letter should outline the policy provisions the insurer relies on and clearly state the conditions.
- Appeals process: We help you understand the insurance company’s appeals process and always prepare to follow the necessary steps to appeal a denied claim.
- State laws: We’re well-versed in the state’s insurance laws and regulations and ready to use them to your benefit.
- Negotiation skills: Our negotiation skills have helped us win billion-dollar settlements for our clients, and we’re ready to go to bat for you.
Facing Challenges With Your First-Party Insurance Claim? Don’t Navigate This Complex Process Alone
Our experienced team of insurance claim attorneys is here to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Take the first step toward a fair settlement today. Contact our Birmingham personal injury lawyers for your free consultation. Your peace of mind is just one call away.
Use this website to contact us, come by the Birmingham office at 2131 Magnolia Avenue South, or dial (205) 328-2200 for your complimentary claim evaluation.
Call or text 877-562-0000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form