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, flooding, volcanic eruptions, and landslides. These are some of the reasons why Alaska homeowner insurance policies should at least include coverage for damages done to their dwelling by fire, earthquakes and frozen pipes.
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Insurance Company Adjuster Training Scripts and Role Paying
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 bizarre scenarios as exampled by the “Jewish Lawyers List” in Hindin v. State Farm – The Landmark Claims Practice Case That Few Know About Finally Ends.
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Claim Handling Requirements by State – South Carolina
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 morning will be the beginning of a long process of recovery, from claiming damages to their insurance company to work on all repairs needed on their residential or commercial properties.
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Claim Handling Requirements by State – Idaho
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.
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Wyoming Denied or Delayed Property Damage Claims
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 recover those improperly denied or delayed benefits.
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Prompt Notice of Hail Damage—What is It? Why Do Insurers Fetch Their Lawyers to Claim Non-Compliance? Should Insurers Expect Their Insureds To Dangerously Climb Roofs When OSHA Regulations Prevent Their Own Adjusters From Doing the Same?
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 their lives to climb on their roofs or pay money for somebody else after every hail storm?
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Bad Faith Claim Investigation May Subject Insurance Company to Private Remedies Under Consumer Protection Law
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
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Claim Handling Requirements by State – Kansas
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.
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Claim Handling Requirements by State – Nevada
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.
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Claim Handling Requirements by State – Washington
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 should be handled in Washington.
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