Tips on Dealing With Your Disputed Auto Accident Insurance Loss
Settling an auto insurance claim by your insurance company could sometimes be a very painful process. The auto Insurance claim could start with a lot of paperwork and end up in a unreasonable settlement of claim. Let us face it, Insurance companies are here to makes a bit dent in their profits. Auto insurance field is an area of high claim ratios and thin margins. Every trick in the book will be adopted by the Insurance companies to
embroil your claim in red tape and whittle down your claim.
Here are some tips that could help maximize your auto insurance
claim without litigation. If you
disagree with your insurance company you can use these tips on disputed
insurance claims to maximize them.
1. Most of the time your agent may not be able to solve
your problem if there is a dispute. It
is best to deal directly with the insuring company. Get the name and phone number of your
insurance companies Claims Department. It's usually an 800 number. Ask for
their Consumer Complaint Department or Customer Services. Most insurance companies have consumer cell
who would be more forthcoming in helping you as it is a matter of goodwill and
brand building for all good companies. Talk
to them and explain the problem in detail.
Get the specific name of the person with whom you spoke. Make a note of
the person you talked with and hold onto that until you've finished with your
dispute.
2. You may follow up your talk with your case by sending a
letter or email to the individual whom you spoke with which contains all the
documents you have to back up your position.
3. All insurance companies have either an "Appraisal
Service" or "Arbitration Service" to help settle differences and/or disputes.
Your policy should explain these options.
If you can't find either of these ask your agent to find them for you!
4. If you've followed their rules for resolving your
dispute, and you're still not satisfied, your own state's insurance department
should be able to help you. Most
countries have an Insurance ombudsman to monitor such grievances.
5. If, after hearing from your own insurance company's
people you arer confident that you've not been handled properly you should
approach Consumer Redressal Services sponsored by the insurance industry. Trained personnel are available to assist
consumers who have complaints.
6. An "Independent Arbitrator", who generally has
experience in insurance problems, can decide if what you've been told or
offered to settle your claim is fair. You can get to them by calling THE
AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION if you are in US or you can search through the
internet and email your insurance dispute details to such arbitrators in most
countries..
7. More often than not the Mediator does not have the
authority to make a binding decision or issue an award to either party. The
mediator only recommends a solution.
Mediation could work in your favor if the insurance company
decides to accept the recommendation. Mediation
is the concrete first step because it can negate the need for further expense
on both sides. The first thing you should do is check the wodings and language
in your auto insurance policy where it will spell out who will mediate or
arbitrate a claim. The general procedure is to submit a DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION
FORM to whoever is listed in your policy. In this Form you can specify whether
you want "MEDIATION" or "ARBITRATION".
DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION FORMS are available from your state's
Department Of Insurance, or you can print a copy of a Demand Form from the
American Arbitration Association's web site.
Please don't forget that these two facts:
-Mediation is much less expensive than Arbitration.
-The Mediation Decisions are considered to be advisory only
and not binding on either the insured or the insurer. However, The Arbitration
Rulings are absolutely binding!
Finally, please understand that each insurance dispute is
unique and this ‘how to' article is only to help you understand the process of
YOUR AUTO ACCIDENT INSURANCE LOSS AND DEALING WITH YOUR COMPANY ON A
DISPUTE. This is not legal advice and
does not guarantee any results except to give you a fair idea on the subject.
Where ever professional help is desired it is your
responsibility to obtain such services.
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