Claim Help

Expert claim help is vital in cases of claims delayed or insurance claims denied.  The source of the delay, or the substance of the denial dictates the urgency of the problem and the degree of claim help needed.

So how urgent is the problem?  How should you respond to a potential claim dispute?

First, we need to understand the source of the problem.  Insurance companies have both a right and a duty to fairly investigate all claims.  In the course of the claims investigation, adjusters will rightfully require the submission of certain statements or documents. 

For example, in auto damage claims or homeowner's claims, an appraisal is necessary.  Typically appraisals are generated by the insurance company and it is your adjuster's responsibility to either schedule the appraisal or to direct you on how to obtain an appraisal.  While appraisals should be scheduled without delay, there might be instances where the appraisal might be legitimately delayed.  Widespread natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes would necessarily expand the wait time for appraisals.  In that case, you are best served by maintaining contact with your company or adjuster, understanding that a reasonable delay under the circumstances is not unreasonable.

A second example of routine claims handling procedures would include requests for a recorded statement.  Properly, a statement request should occur first thing after the claim has been filed.  Insured's are compelled to cooperate with their carrier.  Claimants who are third parties are not compelled, but are generally advised to cooperate.

If, however, you have been informed that a recorded statement will be necessary, yet the adjuster makes no attempt to contact you to obtain that statement, then clearly the situation is bordering on unreasonable.  On the other hand, if the adjuster obtains your statement within a few days and indicates that other matters related to your claim (such as scheduling an appraisal, mailing documents to you, etc.) have been accomplished, then it would appear the claim processes are intact.

Other documents that can be reasonably required include affidavits of loss, signed non-waiver agreements, or proof of purchase in replacement value claims.  The point here is that the claimant has a responsibility to return these items and the adjuster then has the obligation to either complete a fair and prompt claim settlement or issue a claim denial.

Problems arise – and the need for claim help becomes more critical - when the adjuster and the insurance company fail to conduct a fair investigation. 

Suppose you provide all of the requested documentation and yet for weeks, even months, there is no response, no claim settlement offer?  Or suppose you have provided all the relevant information requested and the insurance company responds by requiring more?  Is it reasonable that they need your income tax returns if you are injured?  Is it reasonable for them to require statements for parties unrelated to your loss?

These are the types of situations where you probably need serious claim help from a professional insurance expert.

And so, where do you turn for that help?

Depending on the degree of the problem you can do several things.

• First, browse our Claims Advice Articles.  You might find the claim help you need right there.

• Second, and for more critical problems, consider purchasing our eBook, Power To Profit.  Here you will find one-of-a-kind claim help along with the unique insider secrets that you need to shift the power from the insurance company to yourself.

• Third, there are standards in place in all states which prohibit insurance companies from engaging in unfair claims practices.  It is suggested that you conduct a simple search for "Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act" that applies to your state.  While your state regulators cannot become involved directly in your individual claim, a complaint made to these authorities can push the insurance company to a fair claim settlement.

And finally, if our claim help information leads you to suspect that you are the victim of insurance bad faith, you can always consult an attorney as a last resort.  Make certain that this attorney is skilled in insurance law.