A Few (four, and there are more) Suggestions From One In the Muck of 2009 Insurance Claims and Controversies
Most insurance opponents find it amusing when I explain how many places I have been in a week. If they only knew how many matters I have "touched" in a day they would fully appreciate how hard I work to protect policyholders. This morning at breakfast, a Zurich attorney asked about my daily schedule and I responded as I normally do, that I am "busy." The truth is that I was up at 5:45 am, in Tampa, flew to Destin, Florida, and picked up a client which lead to strategy on her case, then on to New Orleans where I met with new potential clients, met with the Zurich counsel, went to a Condominium Conference, worked on the paperwork of a seven figure hotel settlement, etc.,---- I am in the "muck" of insurance disagreements and want to help, which is why you should listen to the following suggestions.
First, INSURE TO REPLACEMENT COST. Please call your agent. Have enough insurance. Many of our cases come about because this has not happened.
Second, INSURE TO THE RIGHT AND FULL AMOUNT OF COVERAGE WHICH HAS TO INCLUDE REPLACEMENT COST AND CODE UPGRADE COVERAGE.
Third, HIRE AN ATTORNEY OR A PUBLIC ADJUSTER. If your insurance company has not paid fully and promptly, an EXPERIENCED attorney in this field can help you more than anybody--including public adjusters, who cannot press your state’s consumer protection statutes or argue case law for you.
Fourth, STATUTORY NOTICES FOR EXTRA-CONTRACTUAL DAMAGES. Most states allow and provide extra remedies for filing such notices and may even prompt insurance investigations on claims similar to yours. File the notice. There is no downside to doing so if the insurer is not acting fairly and there is a legitimate reason for the damages.
These four tips might help keep you out of the insurance dispute muck..
Wow, Mr. Merlin, you sure work hard.
Sure has paid off though. :)
SHIRLEY HEFLIN
Shirley,
You got me. I was wrongly feeling sorry for myself after a long day.
Thanks for calling me on it.
Hey, we're only mere mortals - nothing in life is set in stone (which always makes me think of the title of one of your papers....."WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?"). Life is too short for anything else.
Shirley