ClaimsyClaimsy

Legal Dictionary

Plain-English explanations for common claim terms.

Educational only — not legal advice

Claimsy is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

Definitions are simplified and may vary by state. If you need advice, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Showing 45 of 45 terms

A

Adjuster

Getting Started

The insurance company employee who reviews your claim and decides how much to pay.

Arbitration

Settlement & Litigation

A private hearing where an arbitrator makes a binding decision instead of going to court.

At-fault

Getting Started

The person or party legally responsible for causing the accident.

Attorney-client agreement

Fees & Costs

The contract between you and your attorney outlining fees, responsibilities, and terms.

Audit log

Documents in Your Packet

Record of who accessed your documents and when.

B

Bodily injury coverage

Insurance & Adjusters

Insurance that pays for injuries you cause to others in an accident.

C

Case boundary (confirming which threads belong)

Documents in Your Packet

The process of selecting which emails and documents are related to this specific claim.

Case expenses/costs

Fees & Costs

Out-of-pocket costs for things like medical records, expert witnesses, and filing fees.

Claim number

Getting Started

A unique ID assigned by the insurance company to track your case.

Complaint (lawsuit filing)

Settlement & Litigation

The legal document that starts a lawsuit in court.

Contingency fee

Fees & Costs

Attorney payment structure where they take a percentage of your settlement instead of hourly fees.

Costs advanced

Fees & Costs

When your attorney pays case expenses upfront and gets reimbursed from your settlement.

D

Demand letter

Getting Started

A formal letter to an insurance company or at-fault party requesting payment for your damages.

Demand package / settlement packet

Settlement & Litigation

A organized collection of evidence, records, and documentation supporting your claim value.

Deposition

Settlement & Litigation

Sworn testimony given outside of court, recorded by a court reporter.

Diagnostic imaging (MRI/CT/X-ray)

Medical & Billing

Medical scans that show internal injuries like fractures, herniated discs, or soft tissue damage.

Discovery

Settlement & Litigation

The legal process where both sides exchange evidence and information before trial.

Document vault

Documents in Your Packet

Secure storage for all your claim-related documents in one place.

I

Incident report

Evidence & Paperwork

Documentation of an accident or injury created by a business or property owner.

Itemized bill

Medical & Billing

A detailed breakdown of medical charges showing each service and cost.

L

Letter of protection (LOP)

Medical & Billing

An agreement where a provider treats you now and gets paid from your settlement later.

Liability

Getting Started

Legal responsibility for causing harm or damage.

Lost wages documentation

Evidence & Paperwork

Proof of income you lost due to injury, like pay stubs or employer letters.

M

Mediation

Settlement & Litigation

A meeting with a neutral third party who helps both sides negotiate a settlement.

Medical lien

Medical & Billing

A legal claim on your settlement by a medical provider who treated you on credit.

Medical records

Medical & Billing

Official documentation of your medical treatment, diagnoses, and care.

Medical records request timeline

Deadlines & Time Limits

The time it takes to receive medical records after requesting them, typically 30-60 days.

MedPay

Insurance & Adjusters

Optional insurance that covers medical expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.

N

Notice requirement

Deadlines & Time Limits

Legal obligation to notify certain parties (like government entities) of your claim within a specific timeframe.

P

Personal injury claim

Getting Started

A request for compensation after an accident or injury caused by someone else.

Photos/video evidence

Evidence & Paperwork

Visual documentation of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries.

PIP (Personal Injury Protection)

Insurance & Adjusters

Insurance that covers your medical bills and lost wages regardless of who was at fault.

Police report

Evidence & Paperwork

Official documentation by law enforcement of an accident or incident.

Property damage coverage

Insurance & Adjusters

Insurance that pays for damage to vehicles or property caused by an accident.

R

Release

Settlement & Litigation

A legal document you sign giving up your right to sue in exchange for payment.

Repair estimate

Evidence & Paperwork

Written quote from a body shop detailing the cost to fix vehicle damage.

Reservation of rights

Insurance & Adjusters

A notice from an insurer that they're investigating your claim but may deny coverage later.

S

Settlement offer

Settlement & Litigation

The amount of money the insurance company proposes to pay to resolve your claim.

Share link (permissioned)

Documents in Your Packet

Secure link that lets you share specific documents with attorneys or others you choose.

Statute of limitations

Deadlines & Time Limits

The legal deadline to file a lawsuit, typically 1-3 years depending on your state.

Subrogation

Insurance & Adjusters

When your insurance pays your claim, then seeks reimbursement from the at-fault party.

T

Timeline

Documents in Your Packet

Chronological record of events, treatments, and communications related to your claim.

Treatment plan

Medical & Billing

Your doctor's recommended course of care and expected recovery timeline.

U

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist)

Insurance & Adjusters

Your own insurance that pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough.

W

Witness statement

Evidence & Paperwork

Written or recorded account from someone who saw the accident.

Terms are easier with context

Claimsy organizes your emails, bills, and reports into one clean claim file — so demand letters, liens, and deadlines show up where they belong.