by Gfoyle » Wed Oct 17, 2007 02:36 am
Well, you all helped me greatly with this accident during the total loss phase, now I have a question concerning the medical claim. During the car accident we had, my son suffered a bruised knee and a mild case of whiplash. I took him to see the doctor once. The other driver has accepted full responsibility for the accident, so I'm going through her insurance for the medical claim (Gieco). I submitted the doctor's bill and filled out a medical release form for them to contact his doctor. Gieco contacted me today and offered $230.00 (the bill was for $79) to settle. They would send me a form to sign and then release the check. I said this was fine. I then recieved a call later saying they would only be sending a check for $79 to cover the bill because my son is a minor and he has up until 2 years file for more claims, so they can't give any more money, but they still want me to sign the release form. Does this sound right to you? I believe the $230 was fair, it would cover the bill and the pain and suffering my son went through. Any advice?
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 05:17 am Post Subject:
Absolutely not!
I don't see any reason why it has to be $79 only!
Thats ridiculous...considering the harassment & time that the child had to spare on account of this painful accident. What about the measure of his mental sufferings ? I'm sure thats not worth it!
abPlastic_face
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 05:58 am Post Subject: How 2 go about it!
Hi Gfoyle,
I truly empathize with you at this juncture but at the same time I'd like to stress upon the fact that the magnitude of your son's bodily sufferings would help determine 2 of the vital points associated with the mishap - i>your time spent towards his medical attention (taking into account the amount of work you lost & proportionate wages) ii> your transportation expenses.
See, you need to count upon the leave & associated expenses very soon & better you submit the earning statement or a document that depicts your gross, along with a calculation of the missed time before the SS & taxes are charged.
Keep in touch,
CasandraVan Huesen
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 09:17 am Post Subject: Someways of looking at it..
Hi
Onething i'd like to make sure is that....all you think of doing or assuming should be informed to the adjuster who you spoke to while the offer of $230 was made to you! This notification should be done in writing & should contain all the grudges about the re-settlement offer & also your willingness to accept the previous offer (also for that matter you'd need to mention how you have planned to support your earlier settlement reasons with detailed information available).
Always remember that its never your job to decide what the worth of a proper settlement could be. (For that either --you may need to read articles that tell you whether parents can settle up their children's claims or say how easy or complicated is the process of getting the court's approval towards a minor's right to claim or-- consult an attorney). Thanks for sharing such in-depth queries with us..
KarlamanRockie
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:21 am Post Subject: Course of Action
I'm planning on calling the Gieco rep. today when I get home from work. What should I ask her in particular? I was planning on asking for the original amount and to have the particulars put in writing before I sign anything or cash any checks I recieve. Is there anything else I should be aware of? I feel very fortunate that my daughter and son weren't injured seriously in the accident and that my son only suffered minor injuries. Still my daughter, who was driving, still doesn't want to drive again and my son did have to miss a cross country meet becuase of the injury. So I do believe we are entitled to some additional money.
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:32 am Post Subject: Property Claim
I also have a property claim for my son's glasses which were broken in the crash. They cost me $150, but I don't have a reciept. Initially Gieco siad they wouldn't pay to replace them since I didn't have a recept. I told them that I did have the remains of the glasses and I supplied them with information from the glasses store about there value. They now want me to mail them the remains of the glasses so they can ascertain there value. Should I send them? Any advice would as always be greatly appreciated.
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:40 am Post Subject:
Good morning Gfoyle good to hear from you again!
This is just the silliest thing! man, I agree the orginally offer was a decent/fair offer for your son's injuries (minus the glasses which I would make sure I got paid for, more on that in a minute)....
Your son must be sixteen or near that? That's the two years thing... I'd tell the rep that she/he can either settle this for the orginally offered 230 or leave the damn claim open for two years period! That you will not accept this 79.00! And don't! You've been without it this long. They will not like having to keep this claim open and the average reserve on this for two years...tough! I've always been able to settle these types of claims, regardless, (now larger ones that require court approval different). Anyway I'd (as I said) tell her either the offer of 230.00 for full release of the claims, or call him back on his 18th birthday, cause you aren't taking/settling/signing a release for 79.00.
Now about the glasses, are they useable at all? Is the boy using them? If not, I'd send them, but can't you go to where you bought them and get a receipt? If they are useable see if you can send or email a picture of them. Companies differ, if I had this claim where there was an injury these glasses would've been paid under the B.I. portion of the claim, not P.D. but this is a company decision. I personally wouldn't accept payment until they paid it all, unless they are paying it (his glasses) under P.D. in which case they shouldn't request a release for the glasses.
That's my two cents.....Ask why they need the glasses, are they opth. and can figure out the value? Find a way to come up with the receipt for them instead. See if a picture will suffice, tell them they can keep their claim open for two more years, (be sure and make yourself a note to contact them after he turns 18 ), if they don't want to make good on their original offer.
Keep us updated please, again, I've never heard of this on a small B.I. claim...you might also call your states dept. of insurance and ask about this.
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 03:47 pm Post Subject: Just Spoke to Gieco
I did what you said and the agent decided to send the check for $230 and the release form form me to sign and return. She then also asked for my insurance agents phone number and my claim number with them. Don't know why she wanted it, maybe she thought they were the ones giving me the great advice instead of you guys. As for as the glasses, I now need to call and talk to the department that's dealing with the property claim. To clarify on the glasses, they aren't perscription but expensive sunglasses his stepfather give him (I would never spend $150 on sunglasses, maybe $10) and he can't supply me with a reciept but he did get me information from the company on the value of that model of sunglasses. It's not really an imperative for me, but my ex and her husband do keep asking me about it.
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:50 pm Post Subject:
I did what you said and the agent decided to send the check for $230 and the release form form me to sign and return.
Ha Ha, :D score one for the 'good guys' great! I figured she's change her mind rather than have a claim open for two years, that she has to monitor!She then also asked for my insurance agents phone number and my claim number with them.
probably wanting to see if you have medpay, maybe your state doesn't allow 'double dipping' would be my guess. Na, she knows you got some advise, but wouldn't dream of asking your agent that... :lol:If I were you though I'd call my agent and ask what that was about, that's pretty unusual..... :?
To clarify on the glasses, they aren't perscription but expensive sunglasses
THAT makes a lot more sense. I'd have you ship them too probably! :wink:Good for you, glad we could help.....just cause I'm nosy let us know what she wanted with that agent, and how the sunglasses come out!
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 04:07 am Post Subject:
That whole thing about your child being a minor was probably just an adjuster who did not have a clue on how to settle an injury claim. That adjuster should consider themselves lucky that you did not change your mind (as well) and ask for more money.
I think I'd ask for either the glasses or at least a picture of them as it's pretty hard to damage sunglasses in an accident. It's certainly possible, but it's also prudent to ask for them. Fair enough.
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 03:46 pm Post Subject: What Gieco agent wanted
My agent emailed me and said she didn't speak directly to the Gieco rep but it appears they "called to give us their information for the subrogation department" Don't really know what that means, but I'm guessing you guys will. Thanks for all the help, now I just need to get myself to the post office in the next few days to mail of the pieces of sunglasses. This place is great and really helped me alot. Thanks!
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