by Guest » Wed Sep 16, 2009 02:09 am
can someone tell me what happened when an accident occured, and both parties are insured by the same insurance company? can a claim adjuster handles both parties? what do i do when i have 2 claim adjuster in the same insurance company? 1 is assigned to me when I calld, and the other send the letter to me and said that she is my adjuster. what should i do? :(
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 02:21 am Post Subject:
It can sometimes depend on the state laws, insurance company or both. However, usually only one adjuster is used.
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 04:26 am Post Subject:
If both parties are insured with the same company, each insured should have their own adjuster in order to avoid a conflict of interest. Both adjusters make their own liability determination. If both agree that one person is at fault then the adjuster handling that insured can handle the other person's loss under their own insured's policy. That is, they handle it as a 3rd party claim under their own insured's policy.
Adjuster A is assigned to insured A
Adjuster B is assigned to insured B
Both adjuster A and B agree it's insured B's fault. Adjuster B can then address A's loss under B's policy as a liability claim.
If there is an issue with liability the two adjusters act as if they work for different companies and handle the claim. However, they are not going to disagree with each other in public. That is, they _will_ come to a liability agreement amongst themselves. Neither adjuster would press the issue outside of the company. This is why many insurance companies waive an insured's deductible when both parties are insured with the same company. They don't want to hassle with any liability disagreements and their insured's accusing them of bad faith in making a liability decision that is not in both insured's best interest.
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 06:13 am Post Subject:
This is why i am very worried that the insurance company assigned the same adjuster to both parties. Could it be possible that they already determined how they want this claim to close?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 06:16 am Post Subject:
I doubt it will be an issue. Two different adjusters should be handling the claim but as long as the are accepting 100% liability under the other person's policy it should not be an issue.
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 06:29 am Post Subject:
since my liability policy will terminated in 2 weeks, what will happen if i do not renew?
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 06:59 am Post Subject:
since my liability policy will terminated in 2 weeks, what will happen if i do not renew?
I don't think this should affect any claim which has resulted out of an accident within the coverage tenure. Let's see what the seniors have to say in this regard.
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:54 am Post Subject:
Yeah it shouldn't effect you I agree. But on seperate adjusters, again thats varies from company to company. Progressive and Liberty Mutual use one adjuster, unless there is also a medical claim. I deal with both parties on many occasions, but it boils down to the company making any decisions based on my investigation.
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 01:43 am Post Subject:
thank you guys, your answers to my questions have make my life a little easier. your help are very much appreciated.
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 05:43 am Post Subject:
Hi Trench..
Progressive and Liberty Mutual use one adjuster, unless there is also a medical claim.
I think it's good to share this information with a lot of customers (belonging to both LM and Progressive) who visit our forums regularly.
It's important to know why only one adjuster is used on so many occasions. It seems like you're an insurance investigator by profession..am I right! Roddick
Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 06:51 am Post Subject:
Each party should be assigned his own adjuster and own claim number, and each claim should be handled similarly to that under two different companies. Operative words are "should" and "similarly", meaning that there may be variances due to company policy and also due to the fact that the single insurance company is foremostly looking out for its best interest.
Confusion might arise on your part if the other party's adjustor makes statements to you like "Dear Sir, I am handling your claim. Please fill out such and such forms", but what he's probably doing is handling the work related to the claim number of the other party, under whose claim you may be entitled to recover damages/medical via the other party's liability coverage. To make sure, each time you should always ask him for the claim number he is using which will clarify whether he is doing work under your claim (using your policy and limits) or the other party's claim (using their policy and limits). This is critical to know because if the other adjuster is not also assigned to you then he would be acting in the interest of the other party and not in your interest. You should consult with your own adjuster before giving the other info.
On your part, you should ensure that all claim adjusters' conclusions are made based on indepently obtained info, reports, valuations, etc. Remember, it is their duty and they are paid to investigate each claim separately, preventing potential collusion. When in doubt, never agree to authorize release of your info between adjusters when they ask or suggest that you do so. You'll know something is so important to the insurance company when they require that you first state something like "I authorize my adjustor to release such and such to the other." Instead, tell them to put it in writing so you can first read before "signing".
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