Your
Auto Accident Insurance Loss
Dealing With Your Insurance Company
On A Disputed Injury Loss
by: Dan Baldyga
When you disagree with your auto insurance company, about a
claim, you have options you can use without going to court.
#1. If your agent is unable to solve your problem, get the name and
phone number of your insurance companies Claims Department. It's usually
an 800 number. Call and ask if they have a Consumer Complaint
Department? Most do. If so, talk to them because they may be able to
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Don't hang up until you get the specific
name of the person with whom you spoke. (Make a note of the person you
talked with and hold onto that until you've finished with your dispute).
#2. Be ready to support your case by
sending a covering letter (to that individual whom you spoke with) which
contains all the documents you have to back up your position.
#3. All insurance companies have either an "Appraisal Service" or "Arbitration Service" to help settle differences and/or disputes. Your
policy should explain these options.(If you can't find either of these
ask your agent to find them for you)!
#4. If you've followed their rules for resolving your dispute, and
you're still not satisfied, your own state's insurance department should
be able to help you.
Contact an
Auto Accident Lawyer
if you have an automobile accident
insurance claim.
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#5. If, after
hearing from your own insurance company's people (your confident that
you've not been handled properly) you should call 1 800 942-4242 ( a
toll-free Consumer Information Service) sponsored by the insurance
industry.
Trained personnel are available to assist consumers who have complaints.
THIS "HELP LINE" OPERATES ON EASTERN TIME, MONDAY THRU FRIDAY, 8:00 AM -
8:00 PM.
#6. ALSO: An "Independent Arbitrator", who allegedly has experience in
insurance problems, can decide if what you've been told (or offered to
settle your claim) is fair. You can get to them by calling THE AMERICAN
ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION 1 212 484-4000 or they can be contacted (via the
internet) at .
#7. MEDIATION: More often than not the Mediator does not have the
authority to make a binding decision or issue an award to either party.
The mediator only recommends a solution.
Mediation is a solid first step because it can negate the need for
further expense on both sides. The first thing you should do is check
the language in your auto insurance policy where it will spell out who
will mediate (and/or arbitrate) a claim. You should submit a DEMAND FOR
ARBITRATION FORM to whoever is listed in your policy. On that Demand for
Arbitration Form you can specify whether you want "MEDIATION" or "ARBITRATION".
DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION FORMS are available from your state's Department
Of Insurance, or you can print a copy of a Demand Form from the American
Arbitration Association's web site - - which can be found (as I've
listed above in Number #6) at .
AS YOU MOVE ALONG WITH THE ABOVE YOU MUST NEVER FORGET THESE TWO
FOLLOWING (A & B = Below) CRUCIAL FACTS:
A. Mediation is much less expensive than Arbitration.
B. The Mediation Decisions are only considered to be advisory. However,
The Arbitration Rulings are absolutely binding!
DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of
this article "YOUR AUTO ACCIDENT INSURANCE LOSS - DEALING WITH YOUR
COMPANY ON A DISPUTED CLAIM" is to help people understand the motor
vehicle accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga, Peter Go nor
ARTICLE CITY make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR do the
purport to engage in rendering any legal service; NOR to substitute for
a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, claims consultant, or the like. Where
such professional help is desired it is THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBILITY
to obtain said services.
Dan Baldyga's third and latest book
AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And
Settle Your Loss) can be found on the Internet at
http://www.caraccidentclaims.com or
http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com . This book reveals "How To"
successfully handle your motor vehicle accident claim so you won't be
taken advantage of. It also goes into detail regarding BASE (The Baldyga
Auto Accident Settlement Evaluation Formula). THE BASE FORMULA explains
how to determine the value of the "Pain and Suffering" you endured - -
because of your personal injury!
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About The Author
For over 30 years Dan Baldyga was a Claims Adjuster, Supervisor,Manager and
also a trial assistant. He is now retired and spends his time attempting to
assist those involved in motor vehicle accident claims so they will not be
taken advantage of: dbpaw@comcast.net
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