If some of millions of dollars spent on advertising auto insurance would be devoted to fair payment of injured insured's' own claims against their own company, we probably wouldn't even have to make mention of this. However, advertisers' portrayal of insurance responsiveness with homey images, friendly messages, beautiful music and promise of quick claims service do not equate to quality when it comes time for payment for personal injury claims following an auto accident.

We know that getting your car fixed promptly is important. Some companies may be more responsive on property damage than others, but that should not be your first priority evaluating insurance service. A day or two wait for your car is nothing compared to being literally cheated out of your legitimate payments, as is practice of some of more aggressive companies. See discussion below and links provided. If getting your car fixed in fastest time is most important thing for you, you can ignore everything that is written in following paragraphs, because they focus on bodily injury aspects of auto insurance claims service.

So, our advice is to ignore advertising images: insurance industry did not become one of wealthiest in America by being everybody's best friend. Understand that these smiling people on television ads are really your adversaries. There are many thousands of reported cases where insured have been forced to sue their own companies. None of these cases has to do with getting people's cars fixed. Prompt property damage repair is simplest and easiest part of an accident claim. Instead, these lawsuits against insurance companies all are based on claims that an insurance company did not perform according to law and in accord with its own contractual provisions.

Research Suggestions to Check Out Auto Insurance Companies:

Our suggestion is that you research two or three companies.A good place to start is with Better Business Bureau, followed by a contact call to your state Insurance Commissioner. You can call Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org) in your own area and learn how to inquire if any complaints have been filed. The most effective research, however, is probably through your state Insurance Commissioner . Use this url (http://www.naic.org/state_contacts/sid_websites.htm) provided to contact your Insurance Commissioner and obtain information in five topics: 1.Ask her how you can learn about number and types of complaints that have been filed with her against or about a company that you are considering. 2.Ask her how you can obtain a count of number of times a company has been involved in reported litigation, whether brought by insured against his own company, or by third party as a bad faith claim. 3.What is reported percentage of first and third party claims company settles by negotiation, as opposed to arbitration or litigation? Ask her for statistics relating to percentage of claims settled, versus percentage that goes to arbitration or litigation. Would it surprise you to learn that over half of claims of one of largest and most popular companies end up in arbitration or litigation? 4.Ask her what actions or enforcements she has had to take with respect to any company you are considering. 5.Does she know if any of companies use credit scoring to set premiums, and are there any restrictions in your state on use of credit scoring.

You Get What You Pay For:

You have heard advertisements that one auto insurance company is least expensive, etc. Understand that truth of old adage applies to insurance policy purchases: you get what you pay for . The best company is probably not cheapest. How can company policies that save premium costs have adverse impacts upon your wallet?

First, reason a company is cheaper is that it doesn’t pay out as much as another company, nor does it provide as much service. If your own company does not pay out in a fair manner, and if you are defendant in case (the tortfeasor ), expect that your chances of being involved in a lawsuit are much higher than if you were insured with another (quality) company.

Since insurance is going to foot bill anyway, why should that impact you? Well, you’ll have to be inconvenienced at home, at work, and at trial. You’ll be sued; you will have to take time off of work to see attorney who will be hired by your company to represent you; and you’ll have to testify at depositions and/or trial. Remember, you will not be paid lost wages to participate in your own defense. But in addition to time involved, it can be very stressful to be in a lawsuit. You will have to answer under oath regarding a number of topics, and your spouse may also have to participate.

However, biggest impact of adverse treatment by your own insurance company may not come when you are a defendant, but may come when you are a claimant versus your own company. This could be as a claimant under your own policy, either for payment of medical expenses or payment of wage loss under Personal Injury Protection ( PIP/MedPay ) provisions, or for underinsured/uninsured UIM coverage.

It is in these circumstances that many first party carriers become aggressive and literally cheat their own insureds out of legitimate payments. Most consumers have little knowledge of these practices, and aggressive companies are almost always successful in cutting off PIP payments for treatment far earlier than your own doctor would recommend. That is where they make money and that’s where you’ll find yourself in need of some help.

The company will respond that you have right to arbitration. But no attorney is going to become involved in a Personal Injury Protection/Medical Pay (PIP/MedPay) arbitration. There is not enough at stake to merit time and effort. You can be at mercy of company, so select wisely. In this respect, least expensive coverage may be no bargain at all .

No recording from insurance adjuster Remember, ABSOLUTELY NO RECORDING! This is a primary, cardinal Number One Rule. What you say CAN and WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU. She may try to get into your personal life: Are you married? Do you have kids? Where do you work? What do you do? Etc. Again, deflect all of those questions and tell her there will be more than sufficient time for you to present that information as part of your background in your settlement claim. She has no right to information at this time and do not participate in giving it to her.

She is going to want to know your version of accident. You can't believe how sweetly question will come because it sounds like she wants to be your "good neighbor" and friend. Just remember her "good hands" are on your wallet and anything you say about accident or your treatment WILL work to your disadvantage later on. Tell her very politely that you do not wish to give any statement whatsoever regarding "my" version or any version of accident. Tell her that you will be glad to discuss facts further at appropriate time. Tell her you will be making a written demand for compensation and it will include a complete description of accident. She is going to want to know where you went for treatment, and, by way, how are you feeling today, and-oh-what did your doctors tell you about your injuries. NEVER, EVER, GIVE HER THIS INFORMATION EARLY ON. There is not one thing in that request that cannot wait your sending to her a brief paragraph in writing. The reason why she wins and you lose-big time-if you answer is that at this early stage, you do not know what is important or not important about any of those topics. But believe us, much is at risk, because in informal format of interview you will not think to include everything. And although it sounds informal, once you give a statement, it may as well be etched in stone. See, she will ask you when you are finished speaking whether or not there is anything else you can remember that you want to add. Then, so far as insurance company is concerned, you have just committed yourself to that particular set of facts. YOU CANNOT LATER COME AND CHANGE THINGS WITHOUT AROUSING SUSPICION AND RESISTENCE. Keep Your Resolve With respect to second rule, keep your resolve. She is trying to intimidate you and to discourage you from proceeding with full vigor by arguing "no liability" at outset. She knows that her insured owes you something and she is trying to deflate your enthusiasm for documenting and submitting your claim. You do not have to get into a debate with her, or prove her wrong on phone. Calmly state that you are sure that she, as a professional, would not make a decision on partial facts and that once she has your complete demand package she will agree with your assessment. Then say goodbye and get off phone. DO NOT engage her in idle banter; she has no facts to go on and all she is doing has nothing positive in it for you, so don't accept her invitation to spar at this time. Once you are free of her, read more of this website to understand strengths and weaknesses of your case.