Insurance Rant

Rich Turley

When I first got into business for myself I was doing insurance work but made the switch to working directly with the HO mainly due to dissatisfaction with the delays in getting paid and nickel and diming me. Much happier.

A friends mom had a fence blow down and asked for me to do the work. Her insurance would pay for it. This gal really has no money so I agreed to do the work without having here sign a promise to pay. Her son demo'ed and helped to offset the deductable that would have come from her. Submitted a bid and got a verbal (telephone) go ahead from the agent.

Did the work in May and submitted an invoice.

Just got a check yesterday and it is short by $138.66. Pisses me off because it would cost me more in effort to collect the difference.

What a bunch of crap! I guess I just need to pay for re-eduction every now and then. Got friends who do a lot of insurance work and love it. I get calls all the time from agents who reply to my concerns that things have changed. It will be a long, long time before I do any insurance work again!

Rich

GregS

So why was it short by the amount clearly stated on your invoice?

Meezer

How would it cost more in effort to collect the difference?

williefb

Your agreement was with the homeowner not the insurance company.

__________________
Willie

ClarkCustoms

I know that a hundred and sum bucks sounds and for that matter is a lot of money but more than likely, someplace on a contract,in some pencil pushing,keyboard plucking,Insurance Agents pee brains office he thought it would be a good idea to put in reeeaaalllyyy fine print that you, not the home owner would have to eat the cost on some rediculouse paper work that only they in their little insurance "GOOFY" worlds can understand. About the only way to consider that your getting your moneys worth here is,Now you know not to do it again. Also,look at it this way, at least it was for someone that actually needed and could use the helping hand and not some body with lot's of $$$$$ thats just triing to get one over on you.
Sincerely,
Clark Customs

P.S
Maybe you could look at the money as what the good feeling was worth that you got by helping a person in need out of a jam.
Ok,Lets be honest
Nothing takes the sting out of being screwed out of money.

maverick17

I guess it must depend on which insurance company(s) you do work for.

I have heard all sorts of hell stories about State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, Farmers, the big guns. You use their software, and any unforseen problems need to be paid out of pocket.

I have done work for 2 small insurance companys and 1 speciality company.

I dont know for sure, but I think working with Independent Adjusters make life much easier. They are small business guys themselves and realize that you need to get paid. One company has in house guys and the overflow goes to independents. I have no problems working with the independent guys, and to a person rarely a problem with an in house guy.

Seems to me the rates I charge the Insurance companies are better than the HO rates and I have yet to be stiffed by an insurance co.

To each his own those I guess.

Big Bob

Most HO policies pay ACV actual cash value on fences, TV antenas etc. Ask to see her policy.

ACV is RCV replacement cost value less depreciation.

So that is where the $ went I would bet.

( maybe you forgot to invoice for the gate/ hinges/ lock/ a couple of posts and you could send in a supplement request for $ 300.00)

The carrier should have sent an explaination with the check.

If you work insurance projects the right way you can get the $ up front on
many projects.