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Auto Insurance Claims/car theft
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Question
My truck was stolen on Nov 7, 2008 it was recovered on Nov 8 2008. It is now Feb 9, 2009 I understand the insurance company has to do there investigation, however they have been at this for 3 months they have not payed out what can I do. The PI for the insurance company told one of my friends all they have to say is I had something to do with this....What could be going on.
Hi Sharon,
Here is the story. It does not matter if you had anything to do with the theft. Your claim has hit the general red flags just as most do conveniently.
Your truck has a factory installed anti-theft system which according to the great ones, makes it "Unstealable."
Truck was missing less than 24 hours.
As I write this, they are probably trying to show a financial motive.
This is not like our justice system. Your are guilty until proven innocent.
The insurance companies make money off of claim denial. In fact, the longer they can hold the money, the more they make off of interest.
See, you are not alone.
The "boys" as I like to call them examine these reported stolen vehicles with a locksmith's perspective and are not considering as to how a thief would steal a car. In turn, the "forensic" report on the vehicle always seems to favor the insurance company and inferrs insured involvement.
Every question you have is addressed at: http://www.autotheftexpert.com
Rob
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Answers by Expert:
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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