State Farm Gears Up For Ike
State Farm has apparently made a significant push in manpower and communications regarding the adjustment of claims in Louisiana and Texas. It takes thousands of adjusters and sufficient communications to get the job done promptly. Delay caused State Farm's old claims mantra under Frank Haines--"pay neither a penny more nor less"--has no place in the claims process, especially following a catastrophe. Good luck to the company with the "Good Neighbor" slogan. Many of my policyholder colleagues simply hate when I say anything nice about State Farm or any other insurance company. I appreciate that, especially if they feel that they have been wronged by insurance company adjusters or attorneys.
The truth is that most insurers at an executive level kept an open mind regarding initial claims decisions following the 2004 and 2005 storms. Everybody is in a rush following a catastrophe and mistakes happen. Whether the low-balling of hurricane damage claims since 2004 is truly a mistake or a result of studied or inept claims management is a topic of significant debate. The individuals that run major claims organizations are not stupid. Depending on their culture of claims honesty and ethical perspective, many get it right with hardly a trace of litigation or emotional bickering over payments. Even dishonest insurance company management learned from the 2004 and 2005 storms. A rapid and overwhelming manpower response can benefit both ethical and unethical adjustment cultures.
If a company is interested in "controlling a claim" (an adjustment term meaning to keep the policyholder from hiring his own expert, public adjuster or attorney) and documenting evidence for lower amounts owed, getting out there fast with such a mindset can save money. That is how Allstate and others approach their car accident cases. Some property insurance companies do act ethically and most sincerely try. However, trying is not the same as doing, and just about everybody I know thinks they are "trying," and will not publicly confess when they do not. It is easy for me to be a critic after problems arise and attribute wrong decisions and actions to unethical conduct. However, handling insurance claims for policyholders is an endeavor with very high ethical standards, and meeting those standards can be difficult without hard work and zealous dedication to the job. Society should stand for nothing less. So, my hat is off to State Farm. It sounds like they have prepared well. I wish the adjusters God's speed and a fair heart. Hopefully, all Ike adjusters understand ethical standards and the insurance vendors and alleged experts will take them to heart. Time will tell.
Chip, I agree up to a point and will address that point shortly.
Like you, I wish all insurers well in handling claims from Gustav and Ike. I also wish everyone in the chain - from CEO to receptionist had to read Sinno's engineering reports and pass a simple test. Anyone who doesn't have a working knowledge of wind suction, simply should not be in the business.
I have worked as an Adjuster since 2001 after I retired as a Paramedic Firefighter. If someone would have described how some people with a property claim treated thier Adjuster and thier insurance company, I would have not been able to believe it.
1. Contractors and policy holders almost never show you an estimate until they see the Adjusters estimate.
2. At least 80% on the Insureds do not believe they should have to pay thier deductible.
The cultutre will not allow the concepts of imdemnity survive as concieved by our fathers and mothers.
My home has extensive flood/wind/broken pipe damage from Ike. I am not able to live in my home. To this date, the state farm adjuster has used every stall tatic know and has still not been to my property. I have receicved the excuses of having multiple addresses for the claim, or the "I drove by your house" that seems to be the coached reply from state farm adjusters as a delay tatic ,as others have received the same response. Sunday, I finally received a date the adjuster would show, and after waiting all afternoon, she did not show. I have not received another response. What kind of service is this? People are without homes, not receiving any payment from insurance, or fema for living expenses, or anything else. The adjusters are unreliable, and have no respect for the lives that have been devestated and are depending on them for the help needed to survive. It has been over a month!! It seems most of these cases will need legal assistance for resolution. Thanks alot State Farm!!!