To further complicate matters, even if a loss is covered, the policy most likely includes a deductible as well as coverage limits. Depending on the nature of the loss, multiple insurance companies may be involved. For example, if a storm strikes and you have both wind and flood damage, you may have to file a claim with your homeowners insurance for the wind damage and another with the national flood insurance program (if you have flood insurance) for the water damage.
Depending on where you live, your deductible may be higher under certain circumstances. For example, in Florida, your insurance deductible for hurricane damage is much higher than if your home was burglarized. So, will your local insurance company pay or won’t they? Look at it this way, insurance companies DON’T want to pay. They are in business to generate profits and will need to be convinced BY YOU that the claim should be paid. The burden of proof lies on you, the homeowner. This means that you will need to prove your case and do it well. The better prepared and more organized you are, the better.
Start with documentation. You may need to take dozens of photos and provide your direct insurance agent with detailed estimates to counter against the insurance company’s original settlement offer. You may need to demand to see how the agent depreciated your property and negotiate a more reasonable method. While your homeowner’s insurance policy is a contract, the claims process does provide room for negotiations with auto insurance company (more information on best negotiation tactics in How to Contact with Auto Insurance Company? article).
Your best bet is to be prepared for a fight. Your tools in this battle include a detailed home inventory, digital photos and video documenting the damage, estimates from local contractors, and a willingness to demand a better offer. You don’t have to do this alone. In fact, many contractors are willing to be present during the insurance adjuster’s visit to help point out damage that the adjuster might have otherwise ignored. In addition, public home or auto insurance adjusters act as advocates for the homeowner and work on your behalf to negotiate a higher settlement offer.
Arm yourself with knowledge, documentation, and real-world estimates while also considering professional representation and you’ll be better equipped to answer the question, “Will they pay for it?”
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I'm not sure where George gets his information, but he's completely incorrect…..
Each state's DOI (Department of Insurance) regulates WHAT, WHEN, WHY, and HOW an insurance company does something. The DOI requires the insurance companies do an INDEPENDENT investigation of the accident….they are not allowed to rely on, as George says, police reports, for many reasons, but one factor could be because they are seldom accurate and to be quite honest, the officer isn't "investigating" the loss–he's writing statements & typing a report. A cop doesn't determine negligence, but what he can tell you is who violated what vehicle code. Depending on the cop, he may or may not provide additional info, such as skid marks, speed, etc……
As part of the investigation process, as well as contractual responsibilities with their insured, the insurance company has to speak with BOTH the driver and named insured (who can sometimes be 2 different people.) The have to 1) make the named insured aware of the claim and 2) verify the facts of loss with the driver. But this is just a small step, albeit a HUGE one, in getting closer to settling the claim.
The insurance company can't MAKE the guy cooperate, even though there is a cooperation clause in his policy. The other insurance can't pay the claim until he speaks with the driver/insured. All the insurance company can do is continue to make reasonable attempts to speak with the driver, and worse case scenario, they can deny coverage for lack of cooperation. But you don't know why the guy's not calling them anymore than they do…as far as they know, the guy's dead, in jail, or in a hospital somewhere.
As for how long do they have, you have to check with your DOI. Most states say upon receipt of proof of claim, i.e. estimate of damages, they have 10 days to pay or deny the claim. If the investigation is not complete, they must notify you in writing every 30 days of the status. This is just an example, so check with your DOI for exact procedures and timelines. They legally pay for your car when they have meet the requirements of BOTH the DOI and their policy with their insured.
As for you….you have a duty to mitigate your damages. What does this mean? You have to make reasonable attempts to prevent any additional damages/cost from incurring. If you don't have collision coverage, then you'll have to wait on your repairs I suppose, but that's not the other guys fault, that's your for not being properly covered. Your insurance will subrogate the at fault party if you do have collision.
And Obama is bailing out the insurance companies.
I decided to research on my own what exactly the ‘new’ health care ‘reform’ package will be… for starters, it will be against the law to not have insurance…everyone will need to purchases some sort of insurance. So there again, if you have more money you can purchase better insurance coverage. It’s very misleading to call it a ‘reform’ bill when in actuality, the bill (now being reviewed by the Senate) will make money for the insurance companies.
If your going make money, shouldn’t it be toward the advancement and preservation of humanity? If Al Gore is wrong than he is just another liar. Nothing new here. If he is right we are screwed. How does “conserving” our natural resources hurt anyone? But, back to the subject.
CEO’s are scam artists. Anyone could do their job. Just be a greedy conniving bitch and you got the job. Pay the people around you well and f**k everyone else.