Auto Accidents – Critical Thinking

July 20, 2015Auto Accident, Auto Repair, Diminished Value, Total Loss

What To Do After An Auto Accident

Advice on Dealing with an Auto Insurance Claim

Most of us will be involved in an auto accident within our lifetimes.

This means that we are likely to have a claim with an insurance company; either our own insurance company or someone else’s insurance company.

After over 17 years of experience in the field of insurance (most as a claims adjuster), I have come to realize that the majority of the public just doesn’t get it (the claims process, that is).

Additionally, I also believe that the majority of auto claims adjusters don’t get it.

When I first began to speak with people about insurance claims over 17 years ago, the problem was not so apparent, but as more attorneys and less experienced adjusters come on the market, claimants get fed a lot of misinformation.

Just search the internet for auto accident claims help or some similar string of search words and you will quickly become confused on how to best approach getting a fair settlement on your insurance claim.

In my own opinion, the best approach is the simplest approach. As the title of this article indicates, critical thinking is the key to a successful claim negotiation.

As an adjuster who has handled almost every type of claim imaginable, I will attempt to give some pointers on critical thinking that we should all remember when we are dealing with a claim, adjusters and claimants alike.

3 Biggest Arguments Against Inherent Diminished Value Dispelled

July 13, 2015Arizona diminished value, Auto Accident, California Diminished Value, Diminished Value, Insurance Claim Denial, Insurance Claims, Texas Diminished Value, Virginia Diminished Value, Washington Diminished Value

Diminished Value Denials: How The Insurance Company Is Lying To You

The vast majority of insurance adjusters have had no formal training in valuation appraisals.  

The unfortunate fact of the matter is that insurance adjusters work for an insurance company and are forced to work within the policies of the company they work for.

Unfortunately, insurance companies train employees and adjusters to deny diminished value claims, even if the evidence is overwhelming. 

It is such a rampant practice that they even provide adjusters with several arguments to use and most companies provide form letters that make silly arguments about why they won’t pay for diminished value. 

Here are the three most common arguments carriers use against diminished value and the breakdown of why they are not valid defenses to inherent lost market value claims.

How To File a Diminished Value Claim

June 25, 2015Diminished Value, Insurance Claims

How To File a Diminished Value Claim: Diminished Value Explained

Loss in market value, diminution of value, diminished value, depreciation, and lost value are some of the terms used to describe what happens to certain vehicles after they have been involved in an accident.

Most consumers know that this type of loss happens, but they just don’t know how to properly document the loss, and there are very few insurance companies that will offer to calculate it for the consumer because that would just mean more money out of the insurance company’s pocket.

When consumers search for help, they sometimes misspell the actual terms and come up with less than optimum help. It is not diminition of value, it has a “u” in it, hehe.

I have seen such misspellings as demiciated value, depreciated value, diminishment of value, and depreciation of value.

First off, spell it right, and you might come across some better resources!

2013 GMC Acadia Denali Diminished Value – $4000 Arizona Win!

May 27, 2015Arizona diminished value, Auto Accident, Auto Repair, Diminished Value, Insurance Claims, Winning!

LOCATION: Goodyear, Arizona

Thomas was one of those customers that really mulled over the decision to pursue his diminished value.  

He got a free claim consultation and months passed before he finally called back in ready to fight for his 2013 GMC Acadia Denali diminished value and he walked away with $4,000!

Deciding to pursue can really pay off!

ALERT! ! ! COLLUSION / DECEPTIVE SUBROGATION PRACTICES IN CALIFORNIA REGARDING THE MADE WHOLE DOCTRINE

May 6, 2015Arizona diminished value, California Diminished Value, Diminished Value, Insurance Claim Denial, Insurance Claims, Subrogation

Warning – Your Insurance Company Could Be Stealing From You!

Insurance companies are stealing money from their own policyholders by ignoring the common law “MADE WHOLE DOCTRINE”.

If you have been in an accident and had to use your own policy to get your vehicle repaired, then you are potentially a victim of the malicious subrogation practices by carriers like State Farm, GEICO, Farmers, USAA, AAA, CSAA, Mercury and many others.

Almost every insurance carrier in California is illegally demanding money that is not theirs to take under a general subrogation provision in personal auto policies before their customers are made whole.

Body Shop Steering: Preferred Vendor and DRP Facility scams exposed by Anderson Cooper!

March 3, 2015Arizona diminished value, Auto Accident, Auto Repair, California Diminished Value, Diminished Value, Insurance Claims, New York Diminished Value, Texas Diminished Value, Total Loss, Virginia Diminished Value, Washington Diminished Value

So what is body shop steering?

Does it really happen?  

How do you know if you’re being steered?  

Anderson Cooper at CNN just did a story on lawsuits that are being filed against huge insurance companies who continually dictate what is repaired on vehicles after an auto accident and this video is worth watching until the end!