Medical Payment Coverage

Nevada is a tort rather than a no-fault state when it comes to placing blame for a motor vehicle accident. Because Nevada is governed by the tort system, someone must be found responsible for causing the accident. The person found to be at fault must pay for all damages resulting from the accident.

Damages are usually paid by the insurance company of the person who is considered to be at fault, because Nevada follows tort law, most insurance companies suggest that a driver should think about buying higher coverage than the minimum amounts required by the state.

Medical payment coverage insurance pays for you or motor vehicle accident— passengers’ medical bills if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident. The coverage pays for “reasonable and necessary” medical expenses, no matter who is legally responsible for the accident. The coverage is for accidental injury to your body when you are driving or occupying an insured vehicle or when you are a pedestrian who is hit by a motor vehicle.

Unfair or Deceptive Insurance Company Practices

Insurers may attempt to avoid or delay paying their clients. If an insurer violates certain Nevada laws, the client may sue the company for using unfair or deceptive practices. According to Nevada law, an auto insurance company in the state may not do the following in terms of medical insurance payment when a client files a claim.

• Delay payment
• Misrepresent any of the policy’s facts or provisions
• Fail to promptly respond to communications
• Fail to promptly investigate and process a claim
• When the insured person’s liability is reasonably clear, not paying the insured person promptly and fairly
• Failing to give a reasonable explanation of why insurance payment was denied
• Giving the insured false information about relevant statute of limitations (the insurance company must notify the claimant in writing at least 60 days before the statute runs)

If you live in Nevada and have been denied payment for medical coverage or if you believe you received any false information regarding your coverage, you should contact Matthew L. Sharp, a Reno attorney with many years of experience helping clients like you. Mr. Sharp has extensive experience successfully representing people whose insurance companies fail to deal fairly with them. To learn more or to find out if you have an auto insurance bad faith claim, contact us today.