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About Rob Painter, Ase, CFEI, CAFATE
Expertise
Please remember. I am not an attorney and cannot legal advice. My answers are based on my experience due to litigation I have been involved in as an expert, for both insurance companies and while oposing them opposing them. I deal with only comprehensive claims on autos related to fire and theft. I have even had the opportunity to rewrite policy coverage language as it relates to vehicle theft and forced entry for insurance defense attorneys.

Experience
Experience in the area: Working with insurance companies and attorneys on these issues for over 20 years. It is very common to have a reported stolen car with a so-called factory anti-theft system to have the theft claim denied. I have served successfully as an expert witness in the courts across the US representing the insured and their attorney revealing that the insurance expert did not take all known theories into consideration before rendering their "Forensic" conclusion. Many insurance carriers us independent "Forensic" experts to examine reported stolen vehicles commonly using flawed methodology implicating the innocent insured with the theft. My job is to determine if the insurance expert reached his conclusions based on accepted scientific principals or just net opinion with no basis other than opinion. My case record against such experts is very compelling.My resume can be seen at the catagory "Auto Theft and Prevention." In "Forensics" the scientific method must be employed. In the forensic locksmith field determining how a reported stolen vehicle was last operated, many processes cannot be duplicated and are conveniently not addressed. If they were, juries would have the opportunity to make a fair and impartial opinion at least about what the expert could or could not prove. There is a purported process determining the last key used. The chances of determining such is very rare uless the key is found in the ignition lock. Experts commonly destroy evidence as well and are rarely questioned on this event. I reveal the weakness in their testimony on such instances.

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Auto Insurance Claims - Claim filed; don't have the deductible yet

Expert: Rob Painter, Ase, CFEI, CAFATE - 11/7/2009

Question
I filed a claim with my insurance company today for an accident I was in (and at fault). I don't have the $500 deductible at this time but am working towards coming up with it. My question is whether or not there is a time limit I have to come up with it before the claim is no good and the insurance will not cover the repairs.

Thank you,

Answer
Hello,

This is a general question requiring a specific answer. You need to ask your agent and how it applies to you.

What we as a repair shop would do is speak with the owner and ins company to see if we could help with deductible. The way we did it was completely legal and up front and everybody was OK with it. Sometimes it won't work, but most of the time it does.

For an example: Car comes in with front end damage. Needs hood, grille, radiator etc, but bumper has dent with not effect on safety. The insurance company will figure on a new or reman bumper at say $200. Well, if you are willing to live with the dent, that is $200 towards your deductible.

If you can save on the cosmetic end that does not sacrifice safety, there is usually not a problem.

Just a thought.

Rob

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