How to Make Sure You Collect on an Insurance Claim

Chrisdavy
Chrisdavy, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Dec 21, 2009 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
The purpose of an insurance company is to take money in to invest, and to pay out as little as possible. Insurance companies bank on the fact that you won't read the fine print, and therefore won't really know what your insurance covers. That way, when you think you have a claim, they can just point to that fine print and screw you to the wall. This is hardly opinion; this is fact backed up by contributors to Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, not to mention the recent insurance dismembering of our nation's finances in 2008. Here's how to make sure you collect on an insurance claim.
  1. No matter how nice that insurance claims adjustor seems, remember that he works for the INSURANCE COMPANY, not you.

    When talking to an insurance claims adjustor:

    Never admit fault in any portion of the damage.
    Never offer your opinion. Everything that comes out of your mouth is fact.
    Don't apologize, ever.
    Don't say any more than you have to or offer any information that isn't directly asked of you.

  2. Pictures are very important to keep for home, auto, and valuable property insurance.

    Take pictures of all damages, and be prepared to send them in if asked. Take them from different angles, so that your insurance company can't delay the process by asking for more. This is especially important in homeowner insurance claims and valuable property insurance claims.

    Even better would be a before and after picture if you have pictures of your valuables before they were damaged.

  3. If you're hurt, you need to get better.

    Don't take no for an answer when the insurance agent calls back and tries to line item your claim.

    If they point to this or that in the fine print, if the insurance claim so narrowly defines itself that it wouldn't be able to insure any one, you might have enough for a lawsuit. Don't be afraid to get a lawyer.

Published by Chrisdavy

AC's licentious, guilty pleasure. What can I say? I write about sex and money. You know, the important stuff. Giggle. (But I do it so well!) Fashion, too. LOL  View profile

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