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Expert: - 2/9/2009


Question
My problem is that my insurance company is giving me the "run-a-round". My vehicle had a roll over accident a month ago. The insurance company was great with paying the the car rental benefit for 30 days. Unfornately that was the end of fast service. It took them about 20 days to get me a very low-ball offer to resolve my claim. They instructed me to get them examples of the vehicles in my market to be able to give me a better amount for my vehicle. I did so and had a difficult time getting it to them due to their techknowlgy. I gave them what me expectations, based on the research I did for market value, on what I would except as a pay off. They have informed me that they most likely be able to fulfill my expectations. What can I do to "help" them along with seeing things my way?

Answer
Hi John,

In over 20 years of dealing with insurance claims, I have never heard of the insured having to get three like kind vehicle estimates. To my knowledge, that is the adjuster's or claim rep's job!!

The true problem with a real insurance company is that they work on their time schedule. They are very difficult to rush. You already threw in a variable making it sound like they are not good at honoring claims.


I hate to tell you this, but it sounds like all you can do is keep bugging them. I don't normally recommend this, but in your case it sounds like the only way you will get paid off is if you do that.

Maybe they are not rushing because the dollar figure you have in mind, is far different than what they feel they should pay out.

Don't screw around here. Ask for a supervisor or someone that can make decisions like yours.

Note: Some may not realize, but I donate my own time answering these questions and I really enjoy answering them to the best of my ability. The only reward, for this I can get from this site is for you to fill out the expert rating and nomination.
I would really appreciate your input with your nomination. Thanks to all!
Please feel free to check out my website as well!

Rob Painter http://www.autotheftexpert.com


Good Luck,

Rob  

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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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