Expert: Bennie719 - 4/16/2008

Question
I settle with AAA For $15000, ( policy limit) Geico ( my insurance ) paid my medical bill: $5000
now Geico want's me to pay back $5000
how  can i fight this? i have underinsured coverage $50/100.000
I send Geico a demand letter , the adjuster answered : AAA has fairly compensate you, we have nothing to offer.
Please help
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Gheorghe,
Many insurance companies have a clause in their policy which states that if they pay your medical bills and you later recover a settlement from a 3rd party, then they have the legal right to be reimbursed.  You or an attorney will need to read your policy to see if such a clause exists in your Geico policy.
From your question, I gather that you feel that your claim has a value of over $15,000 and you have demanded that Geico make an additional settlement from the underinsured motorists portion of your policy and they have denied your claim.
Your next step will be to make a consultation appointment with an attorney who has TRIAL EXPERIENCE.
If you don't know such an attorney, you can call your county attorney referral service (it's free) and they will give you the names of 3-5 attorneys that fit your need.  Call one of the attorneys and make an appointment.  In most states, the first consultation is free.  Others have a minimal charge of about $20 for the first 30 minutes.  Take the full legal wording of the Geico insurance policy and declarations page with you to the consultation along with all information about the seriousness of the injuries that you sustained and your economic losses (medical bills, lost wages, transportation to doctor visits, etc.)
The attorney can advise you of your chances of securing a settlement from Geico and can be retained to assist you.  You will definitely need the help of an attorney to collect from Geico and the underinsured motorists portion of your policy.

I hope this information has been of help.
Your feedback by rating my answer will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area