Tips on Dealing With Your Disputed Auto Accident Insurance Loss

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:00:55 EST

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 toembroil your claim in red tape and whittle down your claim.

Here are some tips that could help maximize your auto insuranceclaim without litigation. If youdisagree with your insurance company you can use these tips on disputedinsurance claims to maximize them.

1. Most of the time your agent may not be able to solveyour problem if there is a dispute. Itis best to deal directly with the insuring company. Get the name and phone number of yourinsurance companies Claims Department. It's usually an 800 number. Ask fortheir Consumer Complaint Department or Customer Services. Most insurance companies have consumer cellwho would be more forthcoming in helping you as it is a matter of goodwill andbrand building for all good companies. Talkto them and explain the problem in detail. Get the specific name of the person with whom you spoke. Make a note ofthe person you talked with and hold onto that until you've finished with yourdispute.

2. You may follow up your talk with your case by sending aletter or email to the individual whom you spoke with which contains all thedocuments you have to back up your position.

3. All insurance companies have either an "AppraisalService" 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 yourdispute, and you're still not satisfied, your own state's insurance departmentshould be able to help you. Mostcountries have an Insurance ombudsman to monitor such grievances.

5. If, after hearing from your own insurance company'speople you arer confident that you've not been handled properly you shouldapproach Consumer Redressal Services sponsored by the insurance industry. Trained personnel are available to assistconsumers who have complaints.

6. An "Independent Arbitrator", who generally hasexperience in insurance problems, can decide if what you've been told oroffered to settle your claim is fair. You can get to them by calling THEAMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION if you are in US or you can search through theinternet and email your insurance dispute details to such arbitrators in mostcountries..

7. More often than not the Mediator does not have theauthority to make a binding decision or issue an award to either party. Themediator only recommends a solution.

Mediation could work in your favor if the insurance companydecides to accept the recommendation. Mediationis the concrete first step because it can negate the need for further expenseon both sides. The first thing you should do is check the wodings and languagein your auto insurance policy where it will spell out who will mediate orarbitrate a claim. The general procedure is to submit a DEMAND FOR ARBITRATIONFORM to whoever is listed in your policy. In this Form you can specify whetheryou want "MEDIATION" or "ARBITRATION".

DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION FORMS are available from your state'sDepartment Of Insurance, or you can print a copy of a Demand Form from theAmerican 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 onlyand not binding on either the insured or the insurer. However, The ArbitrationRulings are absolutely binding!

Finally, please understand that each insurance dispute isunique and this ‘how to' article is only to help you understand the process ofYOUR AUTO ACCIDENT INSURANCE LOSS AND DEALING WITH YOUR COMPANY ON ADISPUTE. This is not legal advice anddoes not guarantee any results except to give you a fair idea on the subject.

Where ever professional help is desired it is yourresponsibility to obtain such services.

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Tips on Dealing With Your Disputed Auto Accident Insurance Loss