Claims Advice Basics

Claims Advice presented by SolutionsForYourInsuranceClaim.com is designed to aid you with claim problems encountered in an insurance dispute.

We encourage you to browse our claims advice articles for the specific answers that you need.

Following is our list of Claims Advice Basics.  While we do not consider these to be the end-all for claims advice, these basics are designed to place you in a position of strength when you encounter an insurance dispute. 

• Always take an active role in your claim.  This approach alone might well save you from potential complications.

• Maintain an ongoing courteous dialogue with your adjuster. 

• You must become the "expert" of your claim, and then use your expertise to your own advantage.

• You must be diligent.  Failure to do say can result in serious further delay of your claim.  If you do encounter delays and other problems, document all of this in writing including dates and times.

• You should cooperate with the insurance company.  As an insured, you want to assume the position that you have cooperated to the fullest extent possible.  This places additional burdens on the insurance company if they are being unreasonable.  The insurance company cannot argue that their processes were delayed solely because you "failed" to cooperate.  For third party claimants, cooperation is usually advised unless you suspect the insurance company is not acting in your best interests.

• Recognize that the claims personnel working your claim are not experts.  Do not interpret their opinions or judgments as fact.  Perform your own independent research.

• Refuse to be intimidated, and question first offers of settlement, assuming a settlement is offered.

• Do not allow the insurance company to dictate all time frames.  Generally speaking, an insurance company should be in position to offer a fair  claim settlement within about 30 days, or less.

• Correspond in writing whenever the circumstances dictate.

• If you suspect you are a victim of insurance bad faith claim handling, research your state's applicable guidelines, regulations, statutes, and state regulating agency.  Find the "Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act" that applies in your state.  Look for the laws and procedures in place for the investigation of bad faith claims.  Understand, however, that while state laws usually incorporate penalties for unfair insurance practices, authorities are not in a position to get involved directly in your insurance claim.  Unfortunately, that intervention is your responsibility.

Solutions for serious claims problems necessitate your ability to anticipate and to respond accordingly during the course of your insurance claim.  You need to:

• Think like an insider.
• Listen for clues as to what is going on with your claim. 
• Identify and document perceived insurer mistakes.

If serious claims advice is what you believe you need, consider purchasing our eBook,  Power To Profit.  Only $9.97