Insurance Companies

[SkiDog]

I hate to rant about stuff like this, but this is just so outrageous that I thought I might post it here to get some objective opinions and to vent a little because it seems noone else will listen.

Anyway..so late June my car was stolen. So obviously I filed my claim with the insurance company, had the police reports filed and so on and so on. Asked the insurance company (STATE FARM, NJ) what they would need me to provide them so the when claim time actually came i'd have everything in order. They needed an affidavit notarized and a copy of the police report. Well the car was stolen from a town where the police have very little to tend to so the report was done in a timely fashion, i.e. NEXT DAY...and I had the insurance co fax me the affidavit to fill out and have notarized. I had to send the original to them as they needed the raised seal on the affidavit. All this went into the mail 2 days after the theft, and was recieved by the insurance co approx 4 days after theft. Preety sppedy and "forward" thinking on my part i'd say, as who wants to be further inconvenienced by paperwork espeically when they already have the headache of having the car stolen in the first place.

Fast forward...car is recovered...about 19 days later in a less that "nice" neighborhood. 4 parking tickets from 4 different locations dating from the day after it was stolen to July 5th. To me this means this car was driven essentially the whole time it was "missing". I contact the insurance co to report the recovery and to ask a few questions on how we move forward. Now the car is essentially fine on the outside SUPRISINGLY....no body damage, however this is a sports car (subaru WRX) and we know the were driving it so I assume they were being less than gentle with it. I asked the insurance co what would be done to make sure that the engine and transmission were in workign order (this is a leased vehicle). Essentially I got an answer of "the body shop will take care of it" I was like how can a body shop assess the engine issues, wouldnt a dealership be more qualified to assess those damages?

Well apparently all this set off some sort of internal "flags" and now they are making me come in (in person) to be interviewed by an insurance investigator like am I some sort of common criminal.

Can anyone else believe this is happening? I have been with State Farm for 7 years...no claims...

I hope its not me overreacting..just seems like i'm the victim and the insurance company is perpetuating that.

Sorry for the rant...please forgive me..

M

 

[ctenidae]

Dealing with insurance companies is always frustrating. Essentially, they're looking for a way out of paying for anything (as usual). Stick to your guns, go by the police report entirely, offer as little additional detail as possible (they'll try to poke holes in anything that's not in the police report or affidavit), and most of all, don't get frustrated or upset with them. Your car was stolen, it is their responsibility to make it right. Also, remember (and this is something insurance companies don't generally want you to realize) that if there is any ambiguity in the policy, any bit that doesn't make sense to you, that they are trying to use as a loophole, play dumb- stick by your interpretation as hard as you can (it's okay to "finally udnerstand" it, but argue your point). When it comes to contracts (and especially insurance policies), any ambiguity or reasonable alternate interpretation goes in favor of the person who doesn't know any better, on the idea that the insurance company is the proffessional, and ought to be able to right a clear policy. There's a Latin term for it, but I can't remember it at the moment.

Above all else, stay calm with the investigator, adn realize that he/she is, in the end, just doing their job. Company policy may piss you off, but getting mad at the investigator won't help.

 

[ALLSKIING]

With response to if the trans or engine now has a problem. If it is the trans there is a good chance you would feel the problem right away while the car or you shift gears. The engine could be another story. The good news is since you lease the car its all under warranty right?

 

[SkiDog]

With response to if the trans or engine now has a problem. If it is the trans there is a good chance you would feel the problem right away while the car or you shift gears. The engine could be another story. The good news is since you lease the car its all under warranty right?

Yes under warranty...the only probelms would be at lease return if they're...dude the tranny is shot...pay me...when I know it had nothing to do with the way I treated the vehicle...

Hopefully they wont delay this any further after today....but its such a huge hassle and to be accused of involvement just doesnt feel good. I may be a lolt of things...but theif isnt one of them.

M

 

[ALLSKIING]

With response to if the trans or engine now has a problem. If it is the trans there is a good chance you would feel the problem right away while the car or you shift gears. The engine could be another story. The good news is since you lease the car its all under warranty right?

Yes under warranty...the only probelms would be at lease return if they're...dude the tranny is shot...pay me...when I know it had nothing to do with the way I treated the vehicle...

Hopefully they wont delay this any further after today....but its such a huge hassle and to be accused of involvement just doesnt feel good. I may be a lolt of things...but theif isnt one of them.

M

How about if the Trans is shot have it replaced under warranty before the end of the lease.

 

[pedxing]

Insurance companies are in the business of trying to hold on to as much of their money as they can.

After a house fire, it took five months to even get a formal offer from the insurance company - and even longer to get something close to reasonable. They consistently make offers of less than the policy indicates in the hopes that I will be so exhausted or desperate for cash, that I'll settle for significantly less than I'm entitled. Since they are holding onto their money, time is on their side - the money keeps working for them while they hold onto it.

As for the car, I'd consider asking the leasing company for their advice. Still, if the oil and transmission fluid look and smell OK - and you aren't noticing problems, you should be fine.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I think this leasing thing is basically a scam. For those looking for a convenient way to have a vehicle, the "leasor" makes it look very appealing. One look at the fine print of the agreement was enough for me to say "no way jose".

If the money thing works and there are no problems I guess it's a good thing for those who want a newish car all the time and the forever payments that go along with the deal.

The problem I see is that when there is a problem since you do not own the car so therefore you do not have any control or at the best very little control over the situation.

For me the money thing does not work in that after the upfront fee and the monthly payments you end up with ziltch, nada except the need to do it all over again.

 

[hammer]

I'd second the comment about notifying the lease company. At least you will have a leg to stand on if the engine or tranny are kaput when you turn the car in and the lease company tries to blame it on you...

 

[ctenidae]

If nothing else, by notifying the lease co, if the insurance company gives you real problems, you can probably bring the lease co in- they have lots of lawyers.

 

[bigbog]

.......

To Insurance Companies, it's all about the body!....what BS. ...Also, in addition to what everyone else has mentioned, I'd get a major checkup from worthy shop and have them itemize everything in detail...especially what looks like rough abuse..then go legal. Try to get as much ammunition behind your word...

 

[dmc]

We are all victims of insurance fraud..
I think those flags were set off due to fraud indicators... Not sure what they are.. And for sure not saying you did anything wrong..

Sorry you have to go through all the BS but I think they are just covering their ass... Using processes they have developed to keep our rates from going higher...

Think you got it bad... Try getting money back from getting hit by a taxi in NYC... TOOK forever!

 

[ctenidae]

Hell, just getting a receipt from a taxi in NYC is tough. I can't imagine how hard it is to get settlement payments.

 

[riverc0il]

i prefer to work through local agents. my local insurance agents have always gone above and beyond for me. when i was in MA, the agents knew my account when ever i called up. i was always amazed that they remembered details about my history and what not. when i got hit, they took care of so much and i was amazed how easy the process was. the local agent still used big insurance companies and the price might have been slightly higher, but i had an advocate that valued me as a customer which was priceless.

i am currently evaluating a $140 drop in car insurance through a national vendor (AAA) but will likely stay with my local agent (they go through MetLife) desite the price savings due to having a local advocate should i need one.

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

It is common knowledge that State Farm is the toughest underwriter to settle claims with...they call it thorough investigation…they pay the best legal firms to represent them and purposely take forever to wear everyone down so they can settle for as little as possible (exhaustion factor)...and when it is all processed and the claim payout is complete, as soon as they legally can...they will terminate your policy…

 

[SkiDog]

It is common knowledge that State Farm is the toughest underwriter to settle claims with...they call it thorough investigation…they pay the best legal firms to represent them and purposely take forever to wear everyone down so they can settle for as little as possible (exhaustion factor)...and when it is all processed and the claim payout is complete, as soon as they legally can...they will terminate your policy…

No worries on them pulling the policy...im already doing that....

M

 

[hammer]

It is common knowledge that State Farm is the toughest underwriter to settle claims with...they call it thorough investigation…they pay the best legal firms to represent them and purposely take forever to wear everyone down so they can settle for as little as possible (exhaustion factor)...and when it is all processed and the claim payout is complete, as soon as they legally can...they will terminate your policy…

If they give that kind of customer service, I'm amazed that they stay in business...

I for one am glad I was able to get insurance through USAA...they don't have the cheapest rates for homeowner's insurance, but I've had very good claims experiences with them.

 

[JimG.]

i am currently evaluating a $140 drop in car insurance through a national vendor (AAA) but will likely stay with my local agent (they go through MetLife) desite the price savings due to having a local advocate should i need one.

You think like me...I've had the same agent for over 25 years and won't switch to save a little money. Having someone in your court is priceless.

4 years ago I was involved in a multi-car crash on the NYS thruway. I was the 3rd car in a 5 car pile up; I had stopped short of the car in front of me, but was rear-ended and pushed into that car. My truck was totaled. That was 11/7/01. I went to Killington with a friend that night for opening day on 11/8 and called my agent from VT. By the time I got home, my truck had been inspected and my payout figure calculated. Got my check a week later.

Soon after, the person in first car who had caused the crash by deciding to stop for no reason in the left lane during rush hour, sued everyone involved.
She might have had a case with the second car who hit her, but she had no claim against me. Still, I got dragged into court for a deposition. My agent arranged for a company lawyer to accompany me and saved me from having to hire an attorney. In the end, I recovered my deductable because the results of the investigation bore out my innocence.

I wish everything in life worked so well.

 

[SkiDog]

Just for the record. I DO use a local agent...they were unable to do anything. This is why I am pulling my policies.. (homeowners too), as obviously it won't effect State Farm as a whole but it does cut into the bottom line of the local agent, and if enough people get fed up and the local agent can't write policies they will have to change who the write policies for and maybe change companies....I have no other recourse. I have filed a complaint with the New Jersey State Insurance commission, but that most likely will do no good.

Eh...its a huge mess..

M

 

[ctenidae]

I have filed a complaint with the New Jersey State Insurance commission, but that most likely will do no good.

You should definately play up that card- there's nothing insurancce companies hate more than being threatened with the insurance commission. Make sure you send a copy of your complaint to your agent, any and everyone you have the name of at State Farm, your whole family, your neighbors, and anyone else you can think of (okay, kidding on the family thing). SF will want to be able to say they reacted quickly and settle dthe issue to your satisfaction.

Funny, though- my dad's been with State Farm for probably 40 years, no complaints. Of course, he was the judge of a southern Arkansas county for 20 years, that may have something to do with his treatment...

 

[SkiDog]

I have filed a complaint with the New Jersey State Insurance commission, but that most likely will do no good.

You should definately play up that card- there's nothing insurancce companies hate more than being threatened with the insurance commission. Make sure you send a copy of your complaint to your agent, any and everyone you have the name of at State Farm, your whole family, your neighbors, and anyone else you can think of (okay, kidding on the family thing). SF will want to be able to say they reacted quickly and settle dthe issue to your satisfaction.

Funny, though- my dad's been with State Farm for probably 40 years, no complaints. Of course, he was the judge of a southern Arkansas county for 20 years, that may have something to do with his treatment...

Like yours my family has been with State Farm for over 38 years. This is the main reason I chose them to be my insurance provider. However in light of recent events I cannot justify giving them another cent of my money, i'd just as soon pay more to someone else if it means less accusations.

no matter what pervious posters have said this cannot be the process all the time, they'd need a million investigators with the amount of car thefts that occur on a daily basis. IMO they are attacking me, for whatever reason, who knows, but this is out of line and I wish I had legal recourse, but my only options are the insurance commission and taking my business elsewhere..

Its a ridiculous state of affairs that we are required to carry insurance, but its more like a priviledge, than a service (in the eyes of the insurance company). yes pay us...we'll protect you, but if you ever file a claim be aware we will put you under a microscope and make your life hell, and in the end we STILL might NOT pay it...

Man this really chaps my hide...

M