for our independent adjusting company. The sad thing is we’re in a small town of 15K and me and my co-workers know some of the folks trying to pull this crap. People need money and figure that an insurance company is not really a victim.
One of my co-workers had a house where there were 15 “hail hits” per sq on every square on a 12 sq roof. What are the odds that each square would have exactly 15 hits per sq on a legit claim.
I had one where the “hail hits” were real big but the none of the plastic vents were damaged at all. The kicker was the homeowner must not have liked being close to the edge of the roof there were no “hail hits” within 3 ft of the roof edges and not a mark on any of the gutters or downspouts. All in all it’s pretty sad to see, but most people figure it’s worth a try because they won’t be going to jail if we see that the damages are not legit.
This report only compares raw claim counts this year versus last year. These numbers, particularly the property numbers, are next to meaningless without context. Using a multi-year average, or publishing “rates” of potentially fraudulant claims would be better. For example, we had a very light year in 2008 for hail claims; this year is more normal. It stands to reason that if the total number of hail claims goes up, the number of potentially fraudulant claims goes up.
76% increase in glass claims.. hmm.. I live in AZ. My experience is the glass being replaced is terrible quality. I had a replacement and 2 weeks later had another rock which cracked the whole winshield again, yet another claim. Safelite did the glass. Next time I needed a windshield, went through another carrier OEM. MUCH BETTER
That’s a good question. However, I actually had hail damage on my roof this year and ended up re-roofing the whole thing (it was time, and I didn’t bother with my insurance). Based on the damage I saw, I think with a little patience I could have spent a day or two up on the roof creating more damage that looked convincing, in an effort to have the insurance company cover the cost of the re-roofing. Plus, I don’t know if adjusters typically get up on the roof to inspect the damage personally or if they are satisfied with photos (in which the “fake” damage would be almost indistinguishable from the real damage).
I would think a more likely scenario is to have a fly-by-night contractor come knockin’ offering to replace your roof after a storm, courtesy of your insurance company.
insured get up on the roof and take a hammer and pound all over the roof. One insured even left his glass of ice tea on the roof. Still Ice cubes in the glass and hammer on the roof. We denied his. We have had this attempted numerous times to get a new roof.
The article only states “the number of claims suspected of possible fraud has jumped 13 percent.” It does not say that claims as a whole, suspicious and not suspicious, have increased. What if I told you that the total claims reported is actually down, but the number of alleged “suspicious” claims have increased?
In 2008, P&C Insurers took a 90% hit on profits. And it was not because of “suspicious” claims. It was because of the economy. So this year the industry has to make up for it. What is the best way to make up for it? Denying claims or delaying payment until the insured caves.
So what does the industry do? They start referring claims to their SIU Department on what they believe are “suspicious” claims. Since it is a “suspicious” claim, they report it to the NICB. A year ago, the claim was legitimate. This year, after a 90% pay cut, the same claim is “suspicious.”
We seem to have a statistical increase in anti insurance company posters in the last couple days. Could it be an anomoly? When the economy goes bad, people try dishonest means to get money. Just a little history lesson for those of you such as dimitros who appear to have no knowledge of our industry.
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for our independent adjusting company. The sad thing is we’re in a small town of 15K and me and my co-workers know some of the folks trying to pull this crap. People need money and figure that an insurance company is not really a victim.
One of my co-workers had a house where there were 15 “hail hits” per sq on every square on a 12 sq roof. What are the odds that each square would have exactly 15 hits per sq on a legit claim.
I had one where the “hail hits” were real big but the none of the plastic vents were damaged at all. The kicker was the homeowner must not have liked being close to the edge of the roof there were no “hail hits” within 3 ft of the roof edges and not a mark on any of the gutters or downspouts. All in all it’s pretty sad to see, but most people figure it’s worth a try because they won’t be going to jail if we see that the damages are not legit.
This report only compares raw claim counts this year versus last year. These numbers, particularly the property numbers, are next to meaningless without context. Using a multi-year average, or publishing “rates” of potentially fraudulant claims would be better. For example, we had a very light year in 2008 for hail claims; this year is more normal. It stands to reason that if the total number of hail claims goes up, the number of potentially fraudulant claims goes up.
76% increase in glass claims.. hmm.. I live in AZ. My experience is the glass being replaced is terrible quality. I had a replacement and 2 weeks later had another rock which cracked the whole winshield again, yet another claim. Safelite did the glass. Next time I needed a windshield, went through another carrier OEM. MUCH BETTER
I don’t have anything to add, I just always wanted to say that and never knew anyone named youngin’ to say it too.
how the heck do you have fraudulent hail claims? drop ice cubes from an airplane?!
That’s a good question. However, I actually had hail damage on my roof this year and ended up re-roofing the whole thing (it was time, and I didn’t bother with my insurance). Based on the damage I saw, I think with a little patience I could have spent a day or two up on the roof creating more damage that looked convincing, in an effort to have the insurance company cover the cost of the re-roofing. Plus, I don’t know if adjusters typically get up on the roof to inspect the damage personally or if they are satisfied with photos (in which the “fake” damage would be almost indistinguishable from the real damage).
I would think a more likely scenario is to have a fly-by-night contractor come knockin’ offering to replace your roof after a storm, courtesy of your insurance company.
insured get up on the roof and take a hammer and pound all over the roof. One insured even left his glass of ice tea on the roof. Still Ice cubes in the glass and hammer on the roof. We denied his. We have had this attempted numerous times to get a new roof.
DUH! WHEN THE ECONOMY TAKES A DOWN TURN CRIME AND FRAUD OF ALL TYPES RISES. I HOPE THAT MILLIONS WERE NOT SPENT TO FIND THIS OUT.
The article only states “the number of claims suspected of possible fraud has jumped 13 percent.” It does not say that claims as a whole, suspicious and not suspicious, have increased. What if I told you that the total claims reported is actually down, but the number of alleged “suspicious” claims have increased?
In 2008, P&C Insurers took a 90% hit on profits. And it was not because of “suspicious” claims. It was because of the economy. So this year the industry has to make up for it. What is the best way to make up for it? Denying claims or delaying payment until the insured caves.
So what does the industry do? They start referring claims to their SIU Department on what they believe are “suspicious” claims. Since it is a “suspicious” claim, they report it to the NICB. A year ago, the claim was legitimate. This year, after a 90% pay cut, the same claim is “suspicious.”
Whola, increase in “suspicious” claims.
We seem to have a statistical increase in anti insurance company posters in the last couple days. Could it be an anomoly? When the economy goes bad, people try dishonest means to get money. Just a little history lesson for those of you such as dimitros who appear to have no knowledge of our industry.