Insurance Company Checking Up?

[milly143]

We hired an item for a job we were working on. The item got stolen from the site so we reported it to the police and the hire company. Because of it's high value, we decided to put a claim through our insurance, sending them the forms they asked us to fill in and a copy of the loss invoice from the hire company. They are sending someone to our office today from the insurance company to speak to us. Does that mean they are suspicious or is that normal procedure? We've never made any claims on the insurance before.

[milly143]

That's alright then. I say high value, but it's only about 3k. Although that's more than we want to fork out for at the moment.

[The-HouseHusband]

It is normal procedure nowadays due to the number of fraudulent claims submitted. As long as yours is genuine, and i see no reason why it wouldn't be, then you will not have any problem. The insurance companies are now sending people on courses to get an understanding of body language which is why they prefer to visit as there are a number of things that will give bogus claimers away. I have done the course myself as part of my resettlement when leaving the armed forces.

[milly143]

Oh yep, it's very genuine. We don't have much use for the item we hired out, which is why we don't own one ourselves and we aren't that hard up that we need to try and pinch 3k from someone :o)

I was just intrigued really, I've never made any sort of insurance claim so have no idea of any of the procedures.

[R1Geezer]

standard practice. They will want to check that you adhered to everything on the hire agreement, especially in the area of security. They will be looking to find a way of reducing the payout or not paying out at all.

[ummmm]

Are they that bad? When I got burgled the loss adjuster came out...took a list of things that had been nicked. Made a few recommendations about locks and said if we fitted the locks he suggested our premiums wouldn't go up. Had a cheque in about a week...

[R1Geezer]

a loss adjuster cost money, if they don't save their costs then they would not be employed. They may not have had much scope in your case ummmm but generally they always look to find ways of reducing payout.

[ummmm]

I suppose...when the loss adjuster turned up we were having an alarm fitted and new locks put in. The cost of the alarm and locks were more than the claim so I don't think he had much to question.

[milly143]

Well he came and asked us a few questions about the site security, etc. As we are a contractor we have no control over the security on site. He asked about our turnover and how often we use the hire company but seemed happy with the answers. Took copies of the invoices relating to that hire and then said all that happened now is he would pass it to someone, we could get posted a form to sign and then that would be it. He was only here for about 20 minutes.

[ummmm]

Easy...I think they are looking for scams. If there isn't a whiff of one they are out of there asap.

[flip_flop]

A loss adjuster most certainly does not look for ways to avoid recommending a payment by an insurer.

What they do do however is check that the terms of the policy have been complied with. If the terms have been complied with the insurer will honour their contractual duties and pay the claim.

If the terms of the policy have not been complied with by an insured, then the insured is in breach of contract and the claim will not be paid.

Its that simple.

To suggest a loss adjuster is there simply to try and avoid recommending a payment is (a) to misunderstand what a loss adjuster does, and (b) wrong.

[flip_flop]

To add to my earlier answer, if the terms and conditions have not been complied with, but non-compliance does not have a bearing on the claim, then the claim will still be paid.

For example, there could be a policy term which requires you to always set a fire alarm and you failed to do so - clearly not setting a fire alarm would not have a bearing on the theft and therefore the claim will be paid.

On the other hand, and again for example, if it was a policy term that hired plant is chained to an immovable object while on site and it wasn't, then clearly this would have a bearing on the theft and the claim would not be covered.

[flip_flop]

Well that told me - ignore my previous two posts as I'm wrong.

[R1Geezer]

dress it up any way you like flip flop, but they are there to find some technicality or other to avoid paying or reduce payout. End of.

[ABerrant]

http://www.theanswerb...k/find/answer/5528931

[woozer]

Flip flop is most definately right. Why should anyone expect an insurer to make payments that they are not contractually obliged to make and for which they have not been given an opportunity to charge the correct premium. Loss adjusters are appointed to make an impartial assessment of the claim and reach a fair settlement for both sides. If anyone feels that the adjusters have not complied with their code of ethics then they should report them to their association.

[R1Geezer]

loss adjusters get lawyer money, if all that's needed is an assesment they'd employ a clerk on 3 bob a week. Loss adjusters are there to save the insurers money anyone who thinks otherwise is in cloud cuckoo land.