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So, anyone ever have a nightmare vehicular insurance experience?
I want to know I am not the only one that gets furious at the ins. companies tactics of starvation and disregard.
During one of the snowstorms in december, I had a guy lose control on a turn and completely wipe out my truck. 2014 fully loaded Ram, not a cheap truck in the slightest... but hit so hard they totalled it out after a very brief inspection- the damage was catastrophic.
Being in the middle of a snowstorm on a lightly traveled road, It was a perfect situation to document- I got out of the truck, made sure the other guy was alive, called the cops, and began taking video- following my very clear tracks in the snow to the mangled wreck that was my truck... straight as an arrow.
From his car, I walked the path from his tires to the impact point (in my lane over a median) and to the very clear tracks of his spin out.
Everything documented. The other driver took 100% responsibility, stating so clearly to the police.
My insurance, state farm, paid out within a week. Zero problem with the property damage portion.
...then comes time to deal with his shady ins. company.
I had hit the emergency room just to get checked out. nothing catastrophic. Did my follow up doctor visits. logged all my time off.
His insurance company took 3 weeks to call.
Never over the course of dealing with the claims adjusters did they pick up their phones. Never did they return calls within a day or so, usually a week later.
Things faxed to them were never acknowledged.
Finally I was pitched a pathetic offer... barely covering bills and time off of work- let alone "pain and suffering".
Told the guy I would think about it- and that I would call him the next day.
The next day came, I called, and of course no answer.
Left a message with all the pertinent information and awaited a call back... it never came. 2 more calls made, and still no response.
several weeks later, a letter arrived- stating that they were going to consider the claim closed if I did not accept their offer.
I took that letter, My phone records, Bills, time off statement, police report, and all documentation to a lawyer I had drooling on a leash- I handed it all over and let him go.
So far, the results have been good... but we shall see how long it takes for them to be good enough.
once all is said and done, I will update this with the final cost to them for playing games.
Word to anyone dealing with a similar situation- Lawyer up. I hated doing it, but the Ins. companies will absolutely skirt the law, ignore you, lowball you, starve you out, and at the end of the day will maybe throw you a bone that doesnt even come close to being fair value.
They know that if they eat up your time and jerk you around, you will take the crumbs and run away with it just to be done with the situation.
If you read this far, there is one other little helpful nugget- I had put a lot of goodies in to the truck- tow package, trailer brake, cameras, sound system, suspension work... A simple matter of producing the paperwork on all of that and presenting it to my ins. company was good enough to get me another check to cover the gap in market value and what the truck actually had.
Save your paperwork and track your upgrades. it can be a significant difference.
I want to know I am not the only one that gets furious at the ins. companies tactics of starvation and disregard.
During one of the snowstorms in december, I had a guy lose control on a turn and completely wipe out my truck. 2014 fully loaded Ram, not a cheap truck in the slightest... but hit so hard they totalled it out after a very brief inspection- the damage was catastrophic.
Being in the middle of a snowstorm on a lightly traveled road, It was a perfect situation to document- I got out of the truck, made sure the other guy was alive, called the cops, and began taking video- following my very clear tracks in the snow to the mangled wreck that was my truck... straight as an arrow.
From his car, I walked the path from his tires to the impact point (in my lane over a median) and to the very clear tracks of his spin out.
Everything documented. The other driver took 100% responsibility, stating so clearly to the police.
My insurance, state farm, paid out within a week. Zero problem with the property damage portion.
...then comes time to deal with his shady ins. company.
I had hit the emergency room just to get checked out. nothing catastrophic. Did my follow up doctor visits. logged all my time off.
His insurance company took 3 weeks to call.
Never over the course of dealing with the claims adjusters did they pick up their phones. Never did they return calls within a day or so, usually a week later.
Things faxed to them were never acknowledged.
Finally I was pitched a pathetic offer... barely covering bills and time off of work- let alone "pain and suffering".
Told the guy I would think about it- and that I would call him the next day.
The next day came, I called, and of course no answer.
Left a message with all the pertinent information and awaited a call back... it never came. 2 more calls made, and still no response.
several weeks later, a letter arrived- stating that they were going to consider the claim closed if I did not accept their offer.
I took that letter, My phone records, Bills, time off statement, police report, and all documentation to a lawyer I had drooling on a leash- I handed it all over and let him go.
So far, the results have been good... but we shall see how long it takes for them to be good enough.
once all is said and done, I will update this with the final cost to them for playing games.
Word to anyone dealing with a similar situation- Lawyer up. I hated doing it, but the Ins. companies will absolutely skirt the law, ignore you, lowball you, starve you out, and at the end of the day will maybe throw you a bone that doesnt even come close to being fair value.
They know that if they eat up your time and jerk you around, you will take the crumbs and run away with it just to be done with the situation.
If you read this far, there is one other little helpful nugget- I had put a lot of goodies in to the truck- tow package, trailer brake, cameras, sound system, suspension work... A simple matter of producing the paperwork on all of that and presenting it to my ins. company was good enough to get me another check to cover the gap in market value and what the truck actually had.
Save your paperwork and track your upgrades. it can be a significant difference.
