Can a claim be reopened

Answer 1

In general, yes.

In fact, because insurance is as closely regulated by the states as it is, insurers are often called upon (or perhaps pressured) to reopen or to reconsider claims when complaints are made by consumers to consumer affairs departments of state insurance regulatory authority. That is not to say, though, that every claim that is reopened will end up with a different result.

The party seeking to reopen a claim (usually an insured or claimant) will normally have to present new or overlooked evidence or documentation that supports the claim. State insurance statutes generally mandate that insurers have appeals processes for denied claims, and that the insured be apprised of the steps that have to be taken to initiate and to pursue an appeal. Such an appeal is a sort of reopening of a claim.