Car Insurance and Health Insurance
Insurance information explains the differences between insurances. What you should look for when buying car
insurance, what you should look for when purchasing health insurance. Insurance can be difficult to understand, so we try to explain it the best we can.
#1. "I Think.." When speaking to the insurance company, you never want to use these two words in regards to your claim. If you are not absolutely sure of the facts, don't guess. You could say something that could hurt your credibility, therefore causing your claim to be delayed or denied.
Another good rule of thumb is to avoid speculating on blame or causation. Try and stick to the facts, and only the facts! If you are speaking to an insurance rep and he's asking you questions you can't answer, you have every right to say "I don't know". By giving the wrong answer, you could give the insurer an out, leaving you to pay the bill alone. If you have been told by the person you are speaking to that they are taking written comment or a recorded statement, you have the right to ask for a copy of the transcript to review for any misstatements.
#2. "I Got Whiplash"
The Insurance Research Council tells us that auto insurers are paying up to $6.8 billion a year due to fraudulent claims, so a sure way to have your claim flagged or flat out denied is to say "I got whiplash or Oh, my neck".
Remember also that whiplash is a specific diagnosis, so if you have a doctor says that you have it or even better, put it in writing, you should report it that way. If you feel it's just neck pain, then you should refer to it that way.
#3. "It's an Experimental Medical Treatment"
Most health insurance companies do not offer insurance coverage for true experimental or investigational medical procedures. If you your doctor tells you that he wants to experiment with a certain type of treatment, that in itself is fine, but you don't want to make reference to the treatment during a conversation with the insurance company using the words "experimental medical treatment". It is important to remember that in actual medical terms, it may not actually be experimental or investigational at all. In a case where the doctor has deemed in medically necessary to use a treatment that is proven to be affective, and it's not exclusion in your policy, it should be covered. The best thing to do is to verify with your doctor that it meets the above litmus tests before actually going to the insurer with the information.
#4. "My Basement has Flooded"!
When it comes to homeowner's insurance, the word "flood" is a no-no! It refers to an act of weather, like torrential rain, or the possibility of an overflow from a body of water near your home. This type of peril is not covered by a standard homeowner's policy. You would have to have flood insurance to cover this type of damage.
#5. "Just Send Me the Check"
When it comes to filing a home or auto insurance claim, it's always best not to emphasize that you're just looking for the cash (red flag, red flag). If you were to admit to your insurer that you are not concerned with the actual issue with the claim, you just need the money, that admission could slow the proceeding s to a halt. Remember, you're supposed to use the payout you receive to make the repair for which you filed. Even though most insurance companies are not going to check up on you, you will certainly raise some flags of your own in their fraud department if you even hint that the money is going elsewhere. This could cause you to lose the money altogether.
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