Editorial Policy
How ClaimFairly researches, writes, reviews and corrects its calculators, guides and state pages.
People use ClaimFairly when money and their health are on the line. That is a reason to be careful, so here is exactly how pages on this site are made and kept up to date.
Who writes and reviews
Pages are written and checked by James, who runs the site. We are not a law firm and do not give legal advice. When a topic needs a professional opinion, we say so on the page.
How we choose sources
We rank sources in this order:
- Official sources: state statutes, court decisions, state insurance departments and federal agencies.
- Established legal references: for example the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School.
- Recognized industry and consumer sources, when official sources do not cover a topic.
We do not use anonymous forums, lead-generation sites or AI-generated summaries as sources. Every page lists its sources at the bottom.
How formulas are chosen
Our calculators use methods that are already used in real claims as a starting point, like the 17c diminished value formula or the multiplier method. We explain every formula, show every assumption, and point out when a method tends to favor the insurer.
How often pages are reviewed
- State pages are reviewed at least every three months, and sooner when we learn about a law change.
- Calculators and guides are reviewed at least every six months.
- Every page shows a "Last reviewed" date. We only change that date when someone has actually checked the page against its sources.
How we write
- Plain English first. If a legal term is needed, we explain it the first time it appears.
- Numbers with every claim. Where we describe a rule, we show what it does to a real example.
- Both sides. If a formula or practice tends to favor the insurer, we say so. If a common belief among claimants is wrong, we say that too.
- No promises. We never tell readers what they "will get," and we never tell anyone to accept or reject an offer.
- Clear limits. Every page that touches legal questions reminds readers to confirm details with official sources or a licensed attorney.
How we handle state law
State rules are stored in one data file with the rule, the general filing deadline, minimum insurance limits, a note on recent changes, the sources used and the date they were checked. A state page is not published until its facts have been checked against the state's official statute or insurance department. When a law changes, we update the data first, so every page and calculator that uses it updates together.
Corrections
If we get something wrong, we fix it quickly and update the reviewed date. For significant errors, like a wrong filing deadline, we add a short note to the page explaining what changed.
Spotted a problem? Email hello@claimfairly.com. Please include the page and, if you can, a link to the source that shows the correct information.
Independence
No insurer, law firm or advertiser can pay to change a formula, a result or an article. Ads, if shown, are kept outside the calculators.
Frequently asked questions
Where does ClaimFairly get its information?
From official sources such as state statutes, court decisions and insurance departments, plus established legal references like the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School.
Do you use AI to write articles?
Every page is written, checked and approved by a person, and we never use AI summaries as sources.
What does 'Last reviewed' mean?
It is the date someone last checked the page against its sources. We only change it when that check actually happens.
Can companies pay to be featured?
No. No insurer, law firm or advertiser can pay to change a formula, a result or an article.
How do I suggest a correction?
Email hello@claimfairly.com with the page and a source. Confirmed errors are fixed and the reviewed date is updated.