Merlin The Moose is a client favorite at the Chicago Merlin Law Group office. We won him at a charity auction last year. He also led me to some creative research uncovering a problem with market conduct studies and the transparency of property insurance claims procedures many insurers keep hidden from their customers and insurance … Continue Reading
An overwhelming number of claims are settled on a mutual understanding with respect to the covered loss and the amount necessary to indemnify the policyholder. The question is then: What can a policyholder do if the insurance company is taking an unreasonable amount of time to tender settlement payment. Florida law remains focused on strong … Continue Reading
In states like Ohio where catastrophic disasters are not as common as in other states, policyholders should still understand how important it is to have a claim handled properly. Ohio’s most common disasters are tornadoes, snow, and floods. Although not common, Ohio has been affected by hurricane winds and rain that have reached some areas. … Continue Reading
Hurricane Season will soon come to its end and our attention will shift to other potential risks from nature. For many policyholders in our northern states, heavy snowstorms could be the next threat. That’s why I dedicate this blog to Alaska, known for its heavy snows or blizzards, and for earthquakes, tsunamis, forest fires, avalanches, … Continue Reading
Insurance companies spend time training their insurance adjusters. Training is a very important. It sets the tone and culture of how the claims department functions. Training can be ethical and professional as discussed by Ken Brownlee in Insurance Companies Must Perform in Good Faith Regardless of Their Customer’s Imperfect Actions. It can also lead into … Continue Reading
Historically September is one of the most active months during hurricane season. Policyholders should be prepared and informed before, during and after a hurricane. As I write this blog, many in South Carolina are experiencing the force of Hurricane Florence and while for some, the hurricane will end the next day, for others the following … Continue Reading
Idaho is a state with a diverse weather, and property owners have risks all year long. Adequate insurance coverage should be considered by all property owners. Some of the natural disaster risks in Idaho are wildfires, snowstorms, flooding, and earthquakes.… Continue Reading
Property insurance is purchased to help protect an insured with the consequences of a natural disaster or serious storm. Far too often we hear from confused policyholders when their insurance carrier attempts to delay payment of a valid covered claim or unreasonably delays the payment of covered benefits. Fortunately, Wyoming provides several legal avenues to … Continue Reading
One of the most offensive examples of insurance company claims managers losing their ethical way is when they demand that their insureds risk life and limb to immediately investigate their roofs after a hail storm. Most insurance policies require “prompt notice” of loss. But, does the insurance company ever warn its customers they must risk … Continue Reading
Last month, a New York Supreme Court affirmed that insurance companies are subject to that state’s consumer protection law, General Business Law § 349. In 37 West 24th Street, LLC v. Seneca Insurance Company, Inc., the trial court denied Seneca Insurance Company’s motion to dismiss the plaintiff’s claim under that statute.1… Continue Reading
The Sunflower State, Kansas, is also known for the many natural disaster events such as tornados, hail, flood, and thunderstorm winds. It is important that Kansas property owners be prepared and properly insured against the threat of these natural disasters that can sometimes arrive unexpectedly.… Continue Reading
The State of Nevada is known as the “Silver State” for its large silver mine industries, but it is also popular for the casinos in its largest city, Las Vegas. For property policyholders in Nevada it is important to know that the state provides statutes that protect and guide insureds during the claim handling process.… Continue Reading
Washington State is not only known as the “Evergreen State” and the only state named after a United States President, but it is also the home of many innovative Internet companies and where the biggest coffee chain in the world was founded: Starbucks. Besides these facts it is also important to know how a claim … Continue Reading
On our journey through the states, we now explore the “Granite State,” New Hampshire. One of the original thirteen colonies and known for its state motto, “Live Free or Die,” you should also know that New Hampshire has a complaint handling procedure applicable to insurance companies. Regulations for insurance company business can be found under … Continue Reading
Steaming ahead on our 50-State claims handling tour, we now pull in to the Peach State – Georgia. Insurance carriers operating in Georgia are subject to both the Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act1 and regulations that set forth the guidelines they must follow.… Continue Reading
As I am writing this blog, most of the country is in the middle of a deep freeze. Here in New Jersey, the forecast doesn’t show any signs of warming up: So naturally, my mind turned to more temperate climates and so today we are going to chat about the claims handling guidelines in California.… Continue Reading
Our next stop as we tour the claims handling guidelines of the 50-states is the First state, Delaware. I have never spent a lot of time in Delaware but I do have a fondness for it. When I was young, I was fortunate enough to have a family home on the Delaware Bay about a … Continue Reading
Up next in the state-by-state claims handling tour is the Centennial State – Colorado. Colorado property owners have been devastated by massive hail storms over the last several years so it is very important that policyholders and their representatives are aware of the claim handling requirements of the state. Colorado’s claim handling is governed by … Continue Reading
Nationwide Insurance Company claims managers may need to add botany and common-sense training to their claims education program. A Nationwide claims specialist sent photos of hibiscus plants to police indicating that Nationwide policyholders with a fallen tree loss were growing marijuana. The Nationwide policyholders look straight out of central casting as the “perfect aging couple” … Continue Reading
Too many in Puerto Rico are still dealing with the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Maria. Today the focus is on getting basic supplies like drinking water to nearly half the population. An insurance claim is likely not a priority at this moment for those owning homes or businesses in Puerto Rico. However, insurance companies must … Continue Reading
After watching my video, many may think those who fortunately purchased hurricane flood coverage will be paid promptly and for the full amount. Please read our prior posts about what has happened in the past with National Flood Adjustments:… Continue Reading
