I really liked the article. The negoteation skills have not changed much over the years but it is always a good idea to refresh and rethink the process.
I would have added that you should know who makes the decisions. It may not be the negotiator. I am reminded of talking to a husband whose wife was in the background coaching him.
This article is terrible, especially from a “seasoned” senior adjuster with 28 years of experience who is quoted throughout but the other 2 experts in the field who are named, a property manager and a lawyer (likely hired defense council)have nothing to say. First of all, there is a distinction to be made between 1st & 3rd party claims. Adjusters/insurance carriers owe no duty to 3rd party claimants….tell them and do what you want but 1st parties will sue your socks off for “unfair claims practices”. Having made that distinction, kiss the asses of 1st parties and simply recognize that if you want to play hard ball with a 3rd party claimant who knows nothing about the principles of tort law, likely, it will end up in litigation before 12 people who showed up for jury. If you want to avoid that, become an educator and a salesman and “talk” with claimants educating them about the law…….screw the facts, no one cares about that….and offer them the opportunity to go to a lawyer for an initial consult…. leaving the door open for them to call you later to discuss their claim. After 37 years in the business, I’ll tell you, this stuff is easy, just treat people like you would want to be treated if you were them and everything will be OK and remember, every man’s home is his castle. Don’t try to screw em.
BRAVO !!! I know the article is a bit old, but you said exactly the simplest way to handle a claim. Period!!!! I worked in the claims industry for many years handled my share of wind, water, tornado and hurricane claims. Then I had the experience of having a Tornado loss, and I had to go to Appraisal. The damages were the issue in dispute, but I honestly was dumb founded that my claim was handled so terribly.
I love these idealistic educated claims people. Leave three of them in the room together and they will develop a plan made for all. I recently fired an insurance company and a broker because they wanted me to climb on every roof of every claim presented, whether there was damage or not and if it was too steep to maneuver, they would pay $150.00 for a lift. What do you think about that one claims people.
Majority of insurance’s adjusters are arrogant and ignorant bullies with only one goal – to deny, especially when it comes to 3rd party claims. When they talk about negotiating or whatever else, it is the same as banksters’ talk about ‘customer services.’
Insurance Departments are terrible when in comes to enforcement of existing laws and insurance knows it is expensive for a claimant to have a competent, honest attorney truly standing for claimants’ rights; furthermore, most lawyers don’t know how to adjust a claim.
Public Insurance Adjusters might be an answer, that’s why insurance fight them ‘tooth and nail’ every chance they got.
We have updated our privacy policy to be more clear and meet the new requirements of the GDPR. By continuing to use our site, you accept our revised Privacy Policy.
I really liked the article. The negoteation skills have not changed much over the years but it is always a good idea to refresh and rethink the process.
I would have added that you should know who makes the decisions. It may not be the negotiator. I am reminded of talking to a husband whose wife was in the background coaching him.
This article is terrible, especially from a “seasoned” senior adjuster with 28 years of experience who is quoted throughout but the other 2 experts in the field who are named, a property manager and a lawyer (likely hired defense council)have nothing to say. First of all, there is a distinction to be made between 1st & 3rd party claims. Adjusters/insurance carriers owe no duty to 3rd party claimants….tell them and do what you want but 1st parties will sue your socks off for “unfair claims practices”. Having made that distinction, kiss the asses of 1st parties and simply recognize that if you want to play hard ball with a 3rd party claimant who knows nothing about the principles of tort law, likely, it will end up in litigation before 12 people who showed up for jury. If you want to avoid that, become an educator and a salesman and “talk” with claimants educating them about the law…….screw the facts, no one cares about that….and offer them the opportunity to go to a lawyer for an initial consult…. leaving the door open for them to call you later to discuss their claim. After 37 years in the business, I’ll tell you, this stuff is easy, just treat people like you would want to be treated if you were them and everything will be OK and remember, every man’s home is his castle. Don’t try to screw em.
BRAVO !!! I know the article is a bit old, but you said exactly the simplest way to handle a claim. Period!!!! I worked in the claims industry for many years handled my share of wind, water, tornado and hurricane claims. Then I had the experience of having a Tornado loss, and I had to go to Appraisal. The damages were the issue in dispute, but I honestly was dumb founded that my claim was handled so terribly.
I love these idealistic educated claims people. Leave three of them in the room together and they will develop a plan made for all. I recently fired an insurance company and a broker because they wanted me to climb on every roof of every claim presented, whether there was damage or not and if it was too steep to maneuver, they would pay $150.00 for a lift. What do you think about that one claims people.
What I know is, that kind of practice and philosophy is what allowed my Dad to maintain a 15 – 20% loss ratio on his commercial book of business.
Majority of insurance’s adjusters are arrogant and ignorant bullies with only one goal – to deny, especially when it comes to 3rd party claims. When they talk about negotiating or whatever else, it is the same as banksters’ talk about ‘customer services.’
Insurance Departments are terrible when in comes to enforcement of existing laws and insurance knows it is expensive for a claimant to have a competent, honest attorney truly standing for claimants’ rights; furthermore, most lawyers don’t know how to adjust a claim.
Public Insurance Adjusters might be an answer, that’s why insurance fight them ‘tooth and nail’ every chance they got.