Information for Milwaukee Insurance Claim Seekers

Insurance disputes: What to do when a Wisconsin claim is denied

On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Insurance Claims on Monday, October 7, 2013.

When opening an insurance policy — whether it is a car insurance policy, a homeowner’s insurance policy or a life insurance policy — the consumer is entering into a legally binding contract with the insurance company. With this being said, an insurance company cannot simply deny a claim because the company feels like it. Rather, there must be a reasonable explanation for why the claim is being denied and must make sense in terms of what the contract says. If not, and a claim is denied for seemingly no reason, a consumer can reach out to learn more about what their policy covers and what their rights are.

Take for example the woman whose claim was denied when she filed a claim for water leaking from a broken pipe in her home. Even though the woman — who is disabled due to cancer — has insurance on her home, the company denied her claim. She would have to come up with the $2,300 to fix the pipe if she wanted consistent hot water in her home.

At this point, she has gone without regular hot water for more than two months.

The understandably frustrated woman calling the entire ordeal a scam — where she pays her premium, but the company does not want to pay when there is a claim — a local news station got involved and took her complaint to the state’s Department of Insurance.

This is where it was learned that sometimes it really is just a matter of policy misinterpretation. However, when another set of trained eyes looks at the policy, this is when it can become obvious if the company should or should not have the obligation to approve the claim. In some cases, this means a denied claim should have been approved.

In her case, the Department of Insurance sent the complaint to the company, which had 20 days to respond or face having to pay a $500 fine.

For others in the Wisconsin area, realistically, there is no point in waiting to see if a news company or someone else is just going to get involved. Rather, reach out for help by speaking with a Milwaukee personal injury attorney who has experience handling insurance disputes and bad faith claims. This attorney can explain consumer rights, possible solutions and consequences.

Source: Fox 59, “Taking action to protect consumers who are denied insurance claims,” Jenny Anchondo,

News for Milwaukee Insurance Dispute Claimants

Wisconsin insurance company trying to deny insurance claim

On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Insurance Claims on Tuesday, July 23, 2013.

When taking out an insurance policy and paying the premiums, the hope is typically that the insurance will never be needed. But, that if it is, at least the policy is in place. However, as a recent case goes to show, when insurance is needed it is not always as simple as just filing a claim and receiving the insurance money.

Right now, a Wisconsin-based insurance company is refusing to pay out for an insurance claim related to a building that was destroyed by fire back in October 2012. The insurance company claims it will not cover the claim because there is reason to believe the owner of the building may have played a role in starting the fire.

Of course though, there are two sides to every story and the attorney for the owner — who also owned a family restaurant inside of the building — claims his client took and passed two polygraph examinations. One was a private one and the other was administered by the state’s police department.

At this time, while the fire was ruled as being caused by arson, there have not been any suspects named in the case.

However, the insurance company still believes the owner was somehow involved and claims the owner did not pass one of the polygraph tests.

The owner has since filed a lawsuit against the insurance company for the delay in approving his claim.

But, it does not stop at the polygraph tests — which the company wants taken out of the lawsuit — the company also claims the owner misrepresented or concealed information related to the fire and business damages. In addition, the company also points to the owner taking too long to submit information and failing to include information requested by the company.

For all of these reasons, the insurance company argues the lawsuit should be dismissed.

In looking at this case, while the company may have legitimate claims against the owner, this may also be a case of the insurance company not wanting to pay out.

In general, in cases where it is believed an insurance company has denied a claim without a reasonable basis, a Milwaukee personal injury attorney who knows how to handle a Milwaukee insurance dispute should be contacted. This may result in the company paying out the claim.

Source: mlive, “Insurance company refuses to pay, claims building owner may have played role in Byron fire,” Gary Ridley, July 9, 2013