Settling Your Claim With The Insurance Company: What To Do If You Have Trouble

Having a car accident is no walk in the park, but sometimes the insurance company can make a bad situation worse when they appear to be uncooperative, they drag their feet, or they evaluate the claim differently from how you see it.  If you are having trouble settling your claim, or are anticipating that possibility, read on.  Here are some tips that may be helpful to you.

•    Be prepared to support your case
Provide documentation and a letter explaining why you are not satisfied and make sure you have the figures to back up your argument. Be certain to include your address, claim number, names of the parties involved in the accident, phone numbers, and any other important identifying information.

•    Let your agent or insurance company representative know you are not satisfied
If your insurance agent or company representative is unable to solve your problem, get the name and phone number of the manager of the insurer's claims department. The insurance company may also have a consumer complaint department that may be helpful.

•    Contact an independent arbitrator to hear your case
An independent arbitrator with experience in insurance matters can determine if the settlement you were offered is fair. Your insurance company may suggest an arbitrator or you can get your own from the American Arbitration Association at http://www.adr.org.

•    Contact your State Insurance Department
If you feel like you have exhausted all efforts with the insurance company, you can file a complaint online or over the phone when you speak to a consumer services representative at your State Insurance Department.  Be prepared to give them all the facts and the reason(s) why you believe the insurance company is not acting in a proper manner with regard to your claim.  The representative will investigate the complaint and get back to you with a resolution.

•    Consult an attorney
If you still cannot seem to reach an agreement, consult an attorney who specializes in auto insurance claims. If yours is an injury claim, be certain he or she has expertise in personal injury cases.  Each state's bar association offers a free legal referral service, which will give you names of qualified candidates. Attorneys work either on an hourly rate or on a contingency basis, depending on the type of case. Get the attorney's fee structure in writing. You can remain current on the progress of your claim by insisting that you receive copies of all correspondence from your attorney. Your lawyer must have your agreement before committing to any settlement.

These tips should help you reach the result you’re looking for.  If, however, your only beef with the insurance company is that they are not offering you enough money to settle your claim, there is a chance that you are not correctly assessing the value of your claim.  Speak to an attorney for guidance on value, even if you plan to continue handling the claim to its conclusion on your own.  Some attorneys are willing to assist by simply giving you advice.