insurance doesn't cover your back

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Yes, I did file a police report with my city's police department. The officer came over, saw the fuel filter that I already replaced, and deemed it caked sugar inside it (he ripped it apart to check inside the filter). I have proof of a scientific experiment saying that sugar will ruin your fuel pump: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msugar2.html
I told all those things to the idiot claim adjuster, but hasn't responded to them yet. Let's see if they'll actually say that they "don't trust the police's word." Now that will be amazing if he does.

[markd79ta]

Craig,

In an earlier post you mentioned that the police officer broke open the fuel filter, and stated that there was sugar in the tank. I hope you have the filter. Anyhow, make a copy of the police report, and send it to the insurance agent. Don't make any threats. Simply state that "...here is a copy of the police report & evidence stated in the report, (enclose a picture of the fuel filter as evidence of what is stated was stated in the report." Say "...there is plenty of evidence to confirm my case in civil court. If action is not taken on my claim, I will be forced to file proceedings for the unpaid vandalism claim as stated in police report #_____________." If you are not comfortable filling the papers, then bring the report, your declarations page of your insurance, the covered items booklet, and pics to a civil attorney including the spray paint. You will get a settlement for this, and if they duck their responsibilities and it goes to court, you will get attorneys fees, time lost, etc.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Thanks, will do. Still on the call of the agent who will supposedly "talk to his manager today." I'll bet he will give me the save run-around and deny any responsibility.
You have really great advice. And, oh yea, I still do have the filter in the garage.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

I just talked to my local insurance carriers and they told me this:
Safeco has always allowed the insured to work on their own cars as long as they save the receipts with possibly some reports/pictures. She said maybe this fool agent is "new" but she has no idea where he's coming from. Hmmm.... makes you wonder if they even know what the #$@ they are doing. So it turns out, I don't even need an argument period. She will talk to the district manager. I can't wait until he calls up again...

[Craig 94 TA GT]

I got a quick update. After:
1) a talking with my local insurance carrier
2) an e-mail from me regarding the proof of sugar in the tank and the scientific effects it has on the fuel system (with references). And an explanation of how the police confirmed sugar in the fuel filter
3) 2 cussing-outs from my dad (don't know if that helped)

The manager said there is sufficient evidence to proceed and approve the case. He said "I did very good with the digital photos and notes I recorded." He did not like the cussing at his adjuster, but he said all I have to do is send the receipts and they will cover it. So it looks like I got instant approval. It went from "most likely denied" to "instant approval". Wow, it's amazing how these slimebags can turn things around when you show you're ready to fight them. He just mentioned, for future reference, that I should always get it looked at by the insurance first.
He did ask if my dad or I had trouble with safeco before, and I told him that 2 previous adjusters in previous claims were reprimanded for unprofessional behavior. This is actually true too. They guy's reaction: "wow".

Needless to say, I picked her up after work today. It still has a slightly rough idle, but I will post the symptoms of what it's doing/what has been done in a new topic - since it's irrelevant to this one now.
Thanks for all your advice and support...and to those who read this...if you show them you're ready to fight, insurances seem to give up and back down.

[furyus65]

did you contact your state insurance commission?

I know you have gotten the problem resolved but did you knwo that you can file a formal complaint with your insurance commissioner. Every state has one and the insurance companies agents and adjusters are strongly regulated.

I am an insurance analyst for the state of Oklahoma and while our laws are probably different than your state, I can tell you that a complaint seems to get the ball rolling. We cannot determine how much is owed or who is at fault or what damage was caused by the vandals but when we write them officially more times than not we get the issues resolved and the claim moving along.

The best thing about filing with your Insurance Commission is the fact that if they violate the insurance laws, we will fine them if it is severe or a continued problem we can put them out of business in our state. Lawsuits are one thing but fines and possible loss of business is a major issue and it hits the company right where it hurts, their pocket book.

With that said, most companies do the right thing and they have to be skeptical about claims because 98% of the public thinks it is okay to cheat the insurance company or inflate their loss. If I put sugar in your tank and you told me that my actions caused all of these problems I know I would want proof before I paid you and I think you would request the same. So they are not out of line by requesting that.

as for the agent hanging up on your family member while trying to file a claim, that woudl be filed with the insurance commission so fast I'd make your head spin. While there are no laws really addressing rudeness the mere fact that the complaint would go to the company's head office and trickle down to this agent woudl definitely keep that from happening again. If it did then we show a pattern of poor performance and will research laws to see if we can fine that person or take their license away (again only if it is a major issue).

Rating companies from good to and based on public opinion is crazy, you really do not know the whole story of the company's actions and they may have a valid reason in those cases to take the actions they took. The best way to tell how god a company is is to look at their financial rating in the AMBest or Standard and Poors guidebook. (on the internet too) the better financially the better equipped they are to handle your claim quickly and properly in most cases. some states compile their complaints against insurance companies our our confidential but I can tell you that the names you are dropping are usually not on my desk but then again they are not the big writers wither (except State Farm they are number 1 or 2 in the market share.) They are a firm but fair company as well and that is probably why they are on the "list" people do not like to take no for an answer no matter how wrong they are and this is especially true in insurance. Now keep in mind that I have no issue with your claim and it appears that your complaint is very valid so the comments before are just generalizations but I thought I'd put my two cents worth in. (okay after reading it is more like $10.02, but I hope I have given you guys more information to help you in the future on insurance problems) the best part about the state insurance commission is that our working for you is free always as taxes and licensing fees pay for our salary and work product.

Best of luck in getting the matter resolved, it appears that you are well on your way, however, I will tell you that cursing at them will not get you anywhere and in a lot of cases they will find ways to make the claim experience more painful and stressful for you if you act in that way. You can strongly disagree but calling the m names and cursing is not going to get you very far. ALthough it does make you fell better doesn't it. hahaha

Jason

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Thank you for the thorough info. It's great to know about that stuff...
I don't think I will file a complaint...yet. If everything from now on goes smoothly, this will still be one of the "better" claims I've had with safeco. I know they didn't appreciate my dad's cussing to them, but I don't blame him one bit because we've had 2 previous claims within the last 5 years, and they've been nothing but trouble. The first one was an accident to the T/A. Needless to say, they delayed it so much, I didn't have the T/A for 2 months. And I know purposely delaying is against the law...I looked it up in the California Dept of Insurance. The 2nd claim was when someone backed into my car. The agent who "took care of me" didn't even bother. She purposely delayed the claim, never got back to my calls and never followed through with anything - even after 5 months. I made sure to file a complaint, and according to the district manager, she was reprimanded for her actions. I ended up dropping the claim because I had enough, and most of the damage was removable by rubbing compound. Now on this claim, they seemed to be giving the "run-around" again. No answers, except for the "probably not cover you" deal. My dad lost it, and they truly deserved a few words. Besides, he is the main carrier of the policy holder, and the agent said he must contact him regarding the claim. He never did.

All I know is that he seemed like the tried to deceive me by immediately saying "they probably won't cover you". Then the used car salesman tactic came in with the "I will talk to my manager and see what he says, but again, they probably won't cover you." He probably hoped that I would just drop the claim and they wouldn't shell out any $$ - just keep taking $$ from my payments. Then to hear, right after the "incidents" listed in a previous post, they just reversed the decision and said, OK you're covered...you have good evidence and did a good job taking notes and pictures. That seems awfully fishy to me. I am still confused on the complete 180 that quickly