How to Dispute an Auto Insurance Claims Adjuster's Report
Auto insurance companies and their customers often disagree on how claims should be resolved. Differing opinions about payments and repair quality can fuel lengthy battles that often leave policy holders feeling frustrated and powerless. The most important thing customers can do is to conduct their own research and use tools outside the insurance company whenever possible. Doing so can reduce the amount of time needed to process a claim, as well as the time spent disputing claims when they arrive.
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Instructions
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Get three independent, professional estimates. Contact auto body specialists and request that they review the damage to your vehicle. Ask them to put their estimates in writing. Submit the competing estimates to the adjuster, and if necessary, his manager. Send a certified letter requesting that the insurance company pay a dollar figure close to the average of the estimates you obtained.
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Hire a private adjuster to review the claim. There are various companies that will review your claim, provide an estimate, and even work with your insurance company to have the claim paid. Many adjusters advertise that their settlements are, on average, higher than those offered by insurance companies. Consult your local yellow pages or a search engine for private adjusters who might be willing to provide competing estimates and negotiate a higher settlement.
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Contact the claims manager. If you have filed a claim and the adjuster's offer is less than what you believe is fair, contact the claims manager and ask to have someone else review the claim. In some cases, the adjuster's manager can offer a satisfactory solution.
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Contact the state insurance commissioner. If your attempts to have a claim settled to your satisfaction are unsuccessful, contact the department of insurance in your state to file a complaint. Your insurance commissioner's office will investigate the insurance company's decision, and if it is deemed unfair, the commissioner will compel the insurance company to pay a fairer amount.
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Contact an insurance lawyer. Many lawyers specialize in disputing bad faith insurance practices, including unsatisfactory claims settlements. Contact a lawyer who specializes in auto insurance and ask him to review your claim. Ask the lawyer to take your case without a retainer if you agree to pay a portion of your settlement.
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Tips & Warnings
Please note that your insurance company is not usually obligated to pay a settlement beyond the limits you specify when opening your policy. For instance, if you purchased $10,000 in property damage coverage, your insurance company may not be obligated to pay a claim beyond that amount.
If you dispute the settlement offered by your insurance company and plan to pursue other options, don't sign any paperwork or accept any money from the insurance company. Doing so could bar you from hiring another adjuster or involving a lawyer.
