Recent Posts in Insurance Companies Category

On Sunday, the House passed an extensive-health care bill that will completely overhaul the current health care system in America. Today, the Senate passed a companion bill, sending it back to the House for final approval. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the bill should have enough votes to pass. As long as the House approves the bill, President Obama is expected to sign it into law.

On Tuesday, President Obama signed the overall health care bill, which will assure that 32 million Americans will be able to receive health insurance coverage, made possible by subsidies, employer obligations, and a mandate for most Americans to carry insurance.  

Some features of the legislation include:

• Raising taxes (mostly on the wealthy) to reduce future Medicaid spending by $500 billion.
• Protecting Americans from losing their insurance coverage due to an illness or sickness
• Insurance companies would not be able to deny people coverage for a pre-existing condition. They also will not be allowed to charged people with pre-existing conditions more money.
• Most Americans will be required to carry health insurance, either from their employer, a government program, or by buying their own policy directly from the insurance company. Anyone who fails to carry insurance will face penalties from the IRS.
• Insurance companies will be prohibited from putting lifetime dollar limits on policies.
• College students can stay on their parents insurance policies until they are 26.
• Tax credits will be offered to help working families pay for coverage they otherwise could not afford.
• If adult children (people ages 18-26) have access to an insurance plan through their employer, they would not be eligible to stay on their parents’ insurance. However, if they get married they could still remain on the insurance policy until they turn 26.
• It will close the prescription coverage gap for seniors and improve preventive care.

Although this is a historic moment, it is expected to take 4 years before the effects of the legislation are felt. But once all is said and done, the number of Americans without insurance will drop by over 50%, and those Americans who want to keep their current insurance policy will be able to do so.  

If you need to speak with an experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney about medical coverage for an accident or injury, please do not hesitate to contact Lanier Law Group today at 1-888-CONSULT!

The National Insurance Crime Bureau has reported a 5.4% increase in the amount of questionable car insurance claims submitted between 2007 and 2008. This puts North Carolina in the top ten states with the most “questionable insurance” claims by loss in 2008.

With North Carolina in the number 8 spot on the list, the rest of the top ten includes California (with the most claims), followed by Florida, Texas, New York, Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.

What is a Staged Accident/Questionable Claim?

Staged auto accident claims are designed to obtain payment for injuries and other costs associated with an auto accident that never existed.  Sometimes an accident might have occurred, but the extent of the injuries or damage is exaggerated.

Staged auto accidents are another problem.  This occurs when a person purposefully causes an accident so they can file an insurance claim to obtain money.  This is also not only illegal, but it’s also highly dangerous and unfair to the innocent drivers and passengers on the road.

Insurance fraud of any kind drives up insurance costs for everyone, as it costs insurance companies millions of dollars a year to deal with.  Also, every dollar spent on these questionable insurance claims could have been spent protecting drivers who abide by the law.

If you were recently injured or involved in an auto accident, it is important to remember that the insurance company is not on your side.  They may pretend to help you, but in actuality they will try to settle your claim for as little as possible.  They even have several tricks they often use to weasel their way out of paying you the full amount for your injuries. 

Here are some tips for dealing with insurance companies following a car accident:

• Be cautious of an insurance adjuster who tries to contact you, and whatever you do, do not speak to them.  They can easily skew you anything you say and use it against you later.
• Do not agree to do a recorded interview.  The other party’s insurance company may ask if they can do a recorded interview with you about the accident.  What they are really trying to do is trick you into making statements that will hurt your chances of recovering a full settlement. 
• If an insurance adjuster comes to your home or workplace, do not sign any paperwork without first consulting an attorney.  They are likely trying to trick you into signing an agreement that would essentially limit the amount of compensation you can collect. 
• Do not believe anything the insurance company tells you unless it is validated by an attorney.  Insurance adjusters are persuasive people whose job it is to convince people to settle their claims for less than they are actually worth.

Don’t Fall Victim to Greedy Insurance Companies

Following an accident, especially if you’ve suffered an injury, it is crucial that you follow this advice.  Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may not be able to work and medical bills can quickly add up.  You need to recover as much compensation as possible in order to pay for your medical care and cover any financial hardship you may be experiencing.

At Lanier Law Group, with have dealt with both small and large sized insurance companies throughout North Carolina and are familiar with their tricks.  You can trust an experienced North Carolina auto accident lawyer at our office to protect your rights to maximum compensation and help you pursue your insurance claim!

To learn more about our services, please fill out a free case evaluation or contact an attorney directly by visiting our website at www.northcarolinaautoacidentlawfirm.com.

Injured in an automobile accident?  Wondering how you will pay for your medical bills and property damage? 

If you have been injured or involved in an auto accident, your automobile insurance is an effective tool for recovering the cost of your medical expenses and damage to your vehicle.  At Lanier Law Group, an experienced North Carolina auto accident lawyer can sit down with you to review your insurance policy to determine not only the type of coverage you have, but also how you can use your insurance to the fullest extent.

Depending on your insurance policy, you may have this optional coverage that you should take advantage of:

• Medical Payment Coverage: This type of coverage will pay you for your medical bills up to the pre-selected coverage amount. This type of coverage can be used even if you use your health insurance.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage:  The coverage will compensate you for your injuries if the other driver does not have sufficient insurance coverage to cover the cost of all of your injuries. 
• Collision Coverage: If the responsible driver’s insurance company is slow to accept liability for the accident and pay for the damage to your vehicle, then you can apply your collision coverage.  You will have to pay the deductible, but once the other party finally accepts liability you will be reimbursed.

Contact an Experienced North Carolina Auto Accident Lawyer

After an accident, it’s important to contact an auto accident attorney who can help you understand your rights and options under your insurance policy.  Trust us when we say the insurance company is not your friend.  They will try to avoid paying you for your accident at all costs.  At Lanier Law Group, we have represented countless auto accident victims throughout North Carolina, and can help you take full advantage of the various options under your insurance policy.

To learn more, please fill out this free case evaluation or simply click here to contact an experienced North Carolina auto accident lawyer at our office today!