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Insurance Companies Don’t Care About You: They Care About Your Premiums

Insurance , , , , , ,

In my article, “How Do Insurance Companies Make Money?“, I go over Profit = earned premium + investment income – incurred loss – underwriting expenses.  However, it is not my intention to be that technical this time around.

Insurance companies have many different layers, or divisions, but you as the client, or insured, interact with insurance companies on only 1-2 levels:

  1. Insurance Agent-sells varying forms of the insurance, or service.
  2. Insurance Adjuster– protects the insurance company from losing money on the service for which you paid for the insurance company to provide to you by way of a premium and insurance contract (policy). Adjusters minimize the “incurred loss” in the above equation.

As to the Insurance Agent:

It has been my experience that these professionals provide you with information on the varying types of insurance– property, casualty, life, health, and disability. They should review the different policies they have available and the coverages which those policies provide, along with the price.  However, they are not usually legally oriented or familiar with the “back door” aspect of what they are selling.  Meaning, they are doing exactly what they are suppose to be doing, “selling insurance”.  Your insurance agent will most likely refer you to the nearest consolidated insurance claims center if you were to need the service you paid for by way of an insurance claim.

For example: if you were injured in an automobile wreck, lost your shingles when a storm came through, and/or the property or person you bought insurance on was damaged/injured in anyway.  Your insurance agent does not usually handle that, they refer you to a claim center with insurance adjusters. If your insurance agent is kind enough to assist you with the insurance claim procedure they still have no authority, or impact, in how the claim is resolved.

As to the Insurance Adjuster:

They are usually not in the same state as you.  If they provide you any information about your legal rights please ask them if you can record the conversation or get everything they just “counseled” you on in writing.  Insurance adjusters have not passed any state Bar requirements to be lawyers and/or offer legal advice. They work for the insurance company that makes money when it brings in more premiums that are paid by their clients than it pays out in insurance claims.  Their interest are not aligned with your interest as they are evaluated on ensuring that insurance claim payouts are minimized.

Read-One of the factors that an insurance adjuster is evaluated on for their job and them keeping it is to offer you the least amount of money possible for your injuries and/or property so that their employer, the insurance company, maximizes its profit.

Common Misconceptions I hear all the time in my office:

  • I thought they would do the right thing;(Why would you think that? Again, your insurance agent may be the kindest person in the world but that is not who you are dealing with.)
  • I have never had a problem with my insurance company the 20 years that I have had them; (How many times have you had to file an insurance claim? Oh, now the light bulb goes off.)
  • The insurance adjuster told me I didn’t need to get an attorney or another appraiser;(Now why would they not want you to get an opinion other than theirs? *hear Jeopardy music*)
  • The insurance adjuster said I couldn’t go see the doctor;(Why are you listening to anyone other than a doctor in regards to medical advice?)
  • I don’t want to sue anybody;(80-90% of the time no law suit is filed. If one is filed it may list the negligent party but that is because insurance can’t be mentioned in a trial. The insurance company is the one that actually defends any law suits you bring and pays money up to their coverage amount if a verdict is rendered.)

All I ask is that you be informed and educated on the interest of all the parties involved and not just assume anything.

“Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.” — Anton Chekhov

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Dos and Don’ts of Automobile Insurance Claims Processing

Automobile Insurance, Insurance , ,

We all see it every day.  Car and truck wrecks happen throughout the Upstate all the time.  For most of us, traffic delays are the main headache caused by wrecks.  But when it happens to you, it’s a whole different story.  If you’re involved in any kind of accident, we at Trammell & Mills want you to remember some basic dos and don’ts that can dramatically affect your legal and financial outcome.

If you’re in any type of traffic accident—large or small—DO stop and contact law enforcement immediately.  If there are obvious injuries, ask the 911 operator to send medical help.  DON’T ever leave the scene of any wreck, no matter how minor it may seem.  Stay and work through the proper process.

DO exchange insurance information with the other driver.  Even if you’re angry, be polite about it.  DON’T do or say anything threatening.  Trade insurance and registration details only.

DO wait for law enforcement to arrive before discussing who caused the wreck, and only talk about details with them.  Avoid the temptation to instantly replay what happened out loud with the other driver.  DON’T say anything to admit guilt or fault or liability at the scene of the accident.  Police and insurance companies will determine who’s responsible.

DO talk with anyone at the scene who witnessed the incident.  Get their story and their contact information.  Record it on your phone if they agree.  DON’T let eyewitnesses who could be helpful walk away without knowing what they saw.  This could damage or lose your case if you go to court.

DO take photos of the wreck scene from several angles.  Show any damage done to either vehicle.  You never know which photo may help win your case if legal action is necessary to settle a claim.  DON’T be left without any evidence to prove your story…or your innocence.

DO contact your insurance agent as soon as possible after the wreck.  Share your photos so they can see what damage was done.  If you have any injury, see a doctor.  The sooner you start the claim process, the quicker you can get medical bills paid or car repairs made.  DON’T wait too long to make a claim.  There is a time limit in South Carolina to make a claim and you don’t want to be denied money because you didn’t act fast enough.

DO be careful about signing any kind of insurance release or waiver. Such documents can be misleading, and you really need the advice of an attorney before putting your name on any kind of quick settlement.  DON’T be tricked into accepting less than you should from an insurance adjuster who doesn’t want to pay you a proper amount.

DO let an experienced attorney push the insurance company for fair payment.  DON’T take legal matters into your own hands and risk losing money that’s rightfully yours.  The insurance claim process after a wreck can be a nightmare.  Call the local attorneys at Trammell & Mills at (864) 485-8585 to make sure you get a fair insurance settlement