Looking for better Insurance Company! (payment, companies, lawyer, deductible)

[homlish560]

In July my car was involved in a hit-and-run------------
Some woman in a van was racing thru a parking lot and hit the side of my parked car, leaivng a big dent. A witness got the description of the van and plate number.

I immediately reported the incident to my Insurance Company - State Farm - and they said they would cover the cost of repair, but I still had to pay my deductible. They also told me when they get around to my claim they would reimburse my money if they could trace the van & plate.

This was 3 months ago, my car's been repaired, but still no refund on my deductible. I can't get anywhere with my Agent, and their claims office puts me on hold for a long time and tells me it takes awhile for claims to be processed. What is taking them so long??????????

When my Auto Insurance comes due later this year I'm thinking about paying all of it except my deductible and explaining the reasons!!!!!!!!

I'd rather just find a better Insurance Company that isn't so g-d damned slow at processing claims. I'm also looking for 1 that maybe doesn't make you pay your deductible if an accident isn't your fault - especially if you have a plate number of the accident-causer!!!!!

Does anybody know of a good company that is fast on claims and has better service overall???????? I'd even be willing to pay a higher premium if I could find such a place.

Thanks for your help.

[f_m]

I heard Wawanesa is pretty good about claims. It's a Canadian company. Although they only cover CA and OR right now.

[Karla with a K]

If by chance you are former or current Military you may be eligible for USAA
I have had them since 1978 and have had nothing but great service.
Here is a link that explains who is eligible

https://www.usaa.com/inet/ent_utils/...me_member_main

[homlish560]

Originally Posted by f_m

I heard Wawanesa is pretty good about claims. It's a Canadian company. Although they only cover CA and OR right now.

Ah too bad!

I used to live in California but I moved to Arizona recently, so guess I don't qualify.

Really looking for something USA-based with offices in my area that I can visit if I need to speak face-to-face with an agent. State Farm has hundreds of offices in my city alone, but they are way too slow on claims. Heard some bad things about their refusal to cover hurricane victims too--------sooooooooo I'm just wanting to switch to a Company that doesn't take so long to reimburse my deductible----------
or even one where I don't have to pay a deductible if the accident isn't my fault and there's a description of the vehicle that caused it.

[homlish560]

Originally Posted by Karla with a K

If by chance you are former or current Military you may be eligible for USAA
I have had them since 1978 and have had nothing but great service.
Here is a link that explains who is eligible

https://www.usaa.com/inet/ent_utils/...me_member_main

Thanks but-------
I'm not military or ex-military, but my Dad is. Checked out the site and I could be a member if my Dad was a USAA member, but he's not a member, so guess I can't qualify.

I have a near-perfect driving record so I'm not getting why I can't have better coverage. I feel like State Farm is screwing me over on my deductible, they have the info on the vehicle that caused the accident, so I don't know why they stall so long on reimbursing me. Have a feeling I'll never see that money again.

[Philip T]

What you are expirencing is the important part of insurance -- do they timely pay the claims and do they do so fully?

At the end of the day, that is really what it is all about.

To fail to do so is called Bad Faith Claims Settlement.

In general, with many of the Big Companies the answer is they do not faithfully pay the claims timely and/or not fully.

The three worse are generally: Hartford, State Farm, and Allstate.

While handling claims with Bad Faith is illegal, it is also very profitable, and that is probably why all three of these companies have large advertising budgets.

To answer your question about who to buy and who not to buy insurance from there is a site that tracks this topic, and seems to do so very accurately:

FBIC Ranks Insurers Payment Of Claims Records And Bad Faith Practices

It also lists the best and worst (50 each side)

"FBIC Ranks Insurers Records To Pay Or Deny Legitimate Claims"

[homlish560]

Originally Posted by Philip T

What you are expirencing is the important part of insurance -- do they timely pay the claims and do they do so fully?

At the end of the day, that is really what it is all about.

To fail to do so is called Bad Faith Claims Settlement.

In general, with many of the Big Companies the answer is they do not faithfully pay the claims timely and/or not fully.

The three worse are generally: Hartford, State Farm, and Allstate.

While handling claims with Bad Faith is illegal, it is also very profitable, and that is probably why all three of these companies have large advertising budgets.

To answer your question about who to buy and who not to buy insurance from there is a site that tracks this topic, and seems to do so very accurately:

FBIC Ranks Insurers Payment Of Claims Records And Bad Faith Practices

It also lists the best and worst (50 each side)

"FBIC Ranks Insurers Records To Pay Or Deny Legitimate Claims"

Thank you!!!!!!

This really helps in doing my research.

Looks like all of the well-known Companies are pretty bad on claims. Makes me feel a little better that I'm not the only one that is getting bad vibes about State Farm.

If what they're practicing is Bad Faith Claims I don't see why I can't get a lawyer after them, or even call one of my local consumer-protection agencies about them.

I even thought about calling one of those on-your-side people on the evening news that investigates things like this.

[sterlinggirl]

Originally Posted by homlish560

If what they're practicing is Bad Faith Claims I don't see why I can't get a lawyer after them, or even call one of my local consumer-protection agencies about them.

Your state insurance commissioner issues their license to do business in your state. A letter to your insurance company detailing your belief that they are acting in bad faith, with a copy sent to the insurance commissioner is a good way to get their attention.

[MommyV]

I filed a claim with Geico and they sent me a check the next day for the initial estimate of the claim. After the car was in the shop, the mechanic realized that it was going to need more work than he initially thought and they immediately sent another check. It was very quick and easy.

Their rates are competitive, but I've recently switched to Farm Bureau for a much cheaper rate. I don't know how they are with claims yet though. I'm in NC also, so I'm not sure if these companies are offered in your state.

[Brill]

If you want speed in resolving a claim, you may want to check out Progressive. I read that they resolved more than 90% of their claims that resulted from Hurricane Ike in less than 30 days.