Archive for February 1st, 2010
Insurance Appraisal Process A Policyholder s Best Chance to Resolve an Insurance Claim Dispute
Insurance Appraisal Process A Policyholder s Best Chance to Resolve an Insurance Claim Dispute
Many homeowners and business owners find themselves disagreeing with their insurance company’s analysis of their insurance claim However, most are unaware that they can dispute the insurance company’s findings via the insurance appraisal process! Even though the policyholder (you) submits a contractor’s estimate, receipts for repairs or materials, or even photos showing damages that the insurance company did not include for repairs they still won’t budge . .Most policyholders are unaware of how to dispute and resolve their claim with the insurance company Policyholders have a choice and a voice within their policy for this very purpose It’s called The Appraisal Clause - also know as The Appraisal Provision Now, don’t let this scare you It may seem like a fancy clause that would take a law degree to understand However, a simple way to understand it is that it’s the insurance industry’s version of arbitration Although similar, the Appraisal Process is NOT an arbitration or mediation and the umpire is not an arbitrator, mediator, or judge Insurance Appraisal, Mediation, and Arbitration are separate things . .In short; Arbitration requires attorneys and a legal process, where Insurance Appraisal does not require attorneys or a legal process Arbitration is a dispute between two parties for any reason, where as, the Insurance Appraisal Process is a dispute between the “value or cost,” to repair or replace property only - bee it an automobile, plane, train, couch, house, commercial building, etc . .Most Policies Have the Appraisal Clause . .If you feel you’re at a dead end with your insurance company and want to resolve your claim you’ll need to check your policy for the Appraisal Clause Most policies will have the provision listed under the “What to do after a loss,” section or the “Conditions” section of the policy Below, you will find a sample of a typical Insurance Appraisal Clause included in most policies Keep in mind that policies can be different in each state Therefore, you should read your own policy to see if this clause exists It will say something similar to the following ; . . . “APPRAISAL - If you and we fail to agree on the amount of loss, either one can demand that the amount of the loss be set by appraisal If either makes a written demand for appraisal, each shall select a competent, independent appraiser Each shall notify the other of the appraiser’s identity within 20 days of receipt of the written demand The two appraisers shall then select a competent, impartial umpire If the two appraisers are unable to agree upon an umpire within 15 days, you or we can ask a judge of a court of record in the state where the residence premises is located to select an umpire The appraisers shall then set the amount of the loss If the appraisers fail to agree within a reasonable time, they shall submit their differences to the umpire Written agreement signed by any two of these three shall set the amount of the loss ” . . .OK, But How Does the Insurance Appraisal Process Work? . .The Appraisal Process allows the policyholder (you) to hire an independent appraiser to determine the value of their damages In turn, the insurance company will also hire their own independent appraiser The two appraisers will then get together and select an umpire The umpire is basically the arbitrator, or what you might call the judge If a disagreement between the two appraisers arises, they can present their differences to the umpire who will make a ruling . .OK; so far so good, the basics of the insurance appraisal process are beginning to come together We have an independent appraiser for the policyholder We have an independent appraiser for the insurance company Finally, there is an Umpire These three individuals are known as The Appraisal Panel The object of the Appraisal Panel is to set or determine The Amount of Loss The Amount of Loss is the total dollar amount needed to return the damaged property back to its original condition, either by repair or replacement . .Once the Appraisal Panel is set, the policyholder’s chosen appraiser and the insurance company’s chosen appraiser will review the documents, estimates, and differences between them The two independent appraisers will try to discuss and resolve the differences in damage and in cost For example; the insurance company may determine that brick on a home does not need to be replaced Where as, the contractor or appraiser for the policyholder says that it does have to be replaced The two appraisers will discuss their reasons for their position and try to come to an agreement, first if it should be repaired or replaced, and secondly the cost to return the brick back to it’s original condition prior to the loss . .One benefit of the Insurance Appraisal Process is that the two independent appraisers have not been subject to the bickering and anger between the policyholder and the insurance company Basically, it’s the hope that cooler heads will prevail All the appraisers really have is the amount of the damage and the difference between the two estimate numbers They do not have the previous baggage or anger that led up to the Appraisal The process was designed so that these two individuals, who have no interest in the outcome, could discuss a settlement based on the facts presented to them . .Sometimes issues arrive where the two independent appraisers can’t agree on certain items In this event, the two appraisers will submit their differences to the chosen umpire The three will discuss the issues and try to reach an agreed settlement of the differences As stated above; the settlement or final number is called The Amount of Loss The final amount is known as the Appraisal Award The Award is signed by the individuals who agree on The Amount of Loss However, only TWO of the three individuals need to agree (An agreement between the two independent appraisers, or the umpire and either appraiser) Once any TWO of the three individuals on the Appraisal Panel sign the award the dispute is over! The amount on the Award binding and is paid by the insurance company, to the policyholder . .Can I Use An Insurance Attorney To Dispute My Claim? . .The Appraisal Clause was initiated to lower the number of lawsuits filed against insurance companies The courts found that many lawsuits were entering the legal system where the cost to repair or replaced damaged property was being disputed In many cases the suites were being resolved when professional engineers and contractors could address the issues The Appraisal Process was created to get such individuals together and keep these disputes out of the courtroom Assuming you acquired an estimate of repair to your property for $100,000, from a contractor or insurance claims expert Your insurance company has created an estimate for $30,000 This would be a clear dispute between the amounts of damage This type of dispute is exactly what the Appraisal Clause was developed to resolve .
Source: www.rsstnx.com
How Do I Get Insurance For Jewelry
When deciding upon whether or not to insure a particular piece of jewelry, the amount of whatever it is worth should be known or found out Sentimental value cannot be bought with money, nor is money lost on sentimental value alone, so deciding on how much it is liked should not be a factor when considering insurance Only the amount the piece of jewelry is actually worth should be the factor when deciding how much insurance should be taken out on it So, if the unforeseen circumstance arrives that the piece of jewelry needs to be replaced, it should only be insured up to what the actual monetary value is of that particular piece of jewelry . .The whole purpose of insuring jewelry is not to gratify our sentimental loss, cause there is not a price tag in the world that can bring that back The whole purpose of insuring jewelry is to enable one to replace the lost piece of jewelry with either an exact replica or another piece of jewelry of similar worth without having to fork out the entire payment yet again for what the jewelry is worth all due to misfortune . .Be sure to know your home insurance policies before insuring jewelry! You may be paying extra already in your home insurance to cover additional coverages such as jewelry in the home! Also, when you insure jewelry, be sure to know allof the clauses! For example, many times there is a list of under what circumstances the piece of jewelry will be insured for and what it won’t Same goes for your home insurance as well if it covers jewelry For example, maybe you have it insured if you lose it, but not if you ruin it, or vice-versa If it is important enough to insure, then it is important enough to insure it for all possible casualties pertaining to the piece of jewelry that may or could arise . .Some very important questions to ask when insuring jewelry is if you change your mind on the amount you want to insure it for, what are the policies regarding that, and the time frame you have to make such changes Another important question is what the company’s best deal is for insuring For example, you may have a ring that is worth eight thousand dollars, but if the insurance rate to insure for five thousand dollars is a much better deal than to insure for the entire eight thousand dollars, it may be wise to only insure for the five, especially if it would be easy for you to fork out the remaining three thousand should something happen It would not be wise, however, to insure it for something way WAY more than it is worth, cause then if something did happen and you needed to use your insurance, it would look like insurance fraud . .Another important question to ask is if your home owners insurance already covers jewelry, how much does it cover and under what circumstances will it cover it for? You can take that amount and subtract it from the rest of the needed amount when trying to decide how much to insure a piece of jewelry for . .After you insure it is very wise to keep such important documents in fire proof boxes since companies get changed and bought out all the time so they may not even have record of your insurance purchase, or they may not look adequately enough to find it and so may claim they have no record Bottom line is never rely on someone else to look up and verify your insurance purchase Always be prepared And always have it in writing and signed, and stamped if possible . .No matter what you are insuring, it is always wise to make sure you have the best deal, make sure everything that you need coverage for is covered, and make sure you are not double paying through two separate insurances!.
Source: www.rsstnx.com
What to Do at the Scene of an Accident.. Part 2
In a previous article, we recounted the steps you should take at the scene of an auto, truck, or motorcycle accident in which you’ve sustained a personal injury. Followed correctly, these steps will go a long way in ensuring that the accident scene and your injuries are well documented and your rights are protected. The attorneys of Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC would like to remind you of a few simple additional tips that, if put into practice at the scene of an accident, will go even further in making certain that a full and accurate accounting of the incident is on the record. Tip number one for today… document the damage! Hard as it is to believe, many accident victims don’t make sure that photos of the damage to their vehicle are taken at the scene of the accident. Always make certain that photos are taken prior to having repairs done. Once this is done, you or your attorney can contact your insurance carrier about beginning repairs. Remember also that if the accident was not your fault and you don’t want to facilitate repairs through your own carrier, you have the right to go through the at fault party’s insurance company. Following an accident there are parties you should cooperate with, the primary one being the police of course. There are also parties you should avoid speaking with, and it’s vital that you know who they are. Simply put, avoid speaking with anyone but your attorney, members of his staff, or his or her investigator regarding the accident or your case. This includes even your own insurance company, as your attorney may wish to be present for those conversations. There is a likelihood that you may be approached by outside parties regarding your case. If so, immediately inquire as to who they represent. If they aren’t a part of your legal team, then zip it. It’s no secret that the immediate aftermath of an accident can be chaotic, emotion filled, and frightening. If you’ve sustained an injury of any sort, this can only add to the chaos. Still, it is important to keep your wits about you and proceed in a fashion that benefits you. By following the steps outlined in these articles, and by seeking the representation of an experienced accident attorney, you’ll go a long way in securing the outcome you deserve.Michael Dugger is an associate of Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC. The <a href="http://www.sgplaw.com/">attorneys</a> at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC have been successfully handling <a href="http://www.sgplaw.com/">auto accident</a> and other <a href="http://www.sgplaw.com/">personal injury claims</a> in Arizona for more than 40 years.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com
