Auto claims adjuster?

Question

I just got rear ended, my car was parked. Obviously it wasn't my fault. My insurance told me that they are sending out a auto claims adjuster. People are telling me that this is strange. That usually it is the other person's insurance adjuster that comes to look at the car. What can I expect from a claims adjuster from my company? Why are they even coming, I have liability, so the other company is going to be paying all the bill, right??? I am confused, I have never filed a claim before.

Yes I reported it to my insurance company.

Answer 1

Who cares? If anything- they are helping you TOO much! Whats wrong with that?

As an adjuster, alot of times I just get pictures of our insured car for the file in case even if they arent going through us. Its nice to have pictures of the damage for the claim and it is a way for me to help YOU out (since thats what you pay me to do) if the other carrier gives you a hard time.

Yes, in theory, if the other car has insurance that is valid.. they will pay. Your insurance will just come out.. snap a few pictures for the file.. and then help you through the other carrier (since you have liability only)

Simmer down.. they arent trying to ***trick you *** or anything.. they are just trying to help!

Answer 2

OK some companies for your protection will automatically have their claims representative look at your damage in case you have any trouble with the liable insurers claims payment or endure subrogation problems. I would just say this is your company trying to protect you. Since the other person was at fault the claim should be filed with them- however- if you cannot get it paid this way your company would pay it and subrogate against them to get the money back and any out of pocket deductible you may have had to pay. Most insurers perfer to get their own photos of damage to the vehicles they insure. But first and foremost the person that hit your car has to assume liability first before the claim is actually filed. You can help speed the process up by perhaps contacting a body shop to get an estimate of the damages first thing tomorrow and that way you can have something to provide the adjuster and also if there is an incident report filed with any law enforcement you may want to find out when it will be available, so that you can provide this as well.

Answer 3

Apparently a claim was filed on your insurance policy. Either you did this or the other person did it - or their carrier did it.

At any rate - since a claim has been filed - your insurance company has to do an investigation into the accident. That includes getting photos/estimates of both vehicles involved.

A benefit of this - is if the other driver turns out not to have a valid insurance policy - your company will have already seen your car and be in a position to handle the damage to your vehicle as an uninsured motorist claim.

If you do not have collision coverage - your insurance company will not be able to pay you for the damage to your vehicle (unless it turns out to be an uninsured motorist claim).

Have you filed a claim with the other company? If you have not been in contact with the other company - call them. If the claim has not been reported - then report it. You can let your company's adjuster know that you are going to pursue the other driver's policy for your damage.


Here's an idea - could the other driver have insurance with the same company you do? So your company is also theirs? Since you did not tell us if the other person's company was - just thought I'd ask.

P. S. stop listening to "people" - what your company is doing is standard any time a claim is filed - it is not strange and I suspect that "people" are not familiar with the process.

Answer 4

When I was in similar situation, the adjuster from my company looked at it, and gave me one figure. Then the other company sent their adjuster and gave me another figure. I could accepted either offer. If I accepted one from mine, he will then bill the other company to pay him. I really didn't care how they dealt with it internally, so I took the higher offer. (my company)

Another time, I had a body shop give me an estimate, then my insurance company paid whatever the body shop billed them. Then, they turned around and billed the other company.

It is in your benefit to get a quote first, so you don't accept the low ball offer from your insurance company. Better yet, let the body-shop work with your insurance company. Many times, estimate ends up being too low, if they find more problems as they work on the car. If you let the body shop handle all this, the body shop usually take care of all this. If your insurance company has a list of "approved" companies, I'd choose them.... far less paperwork!

No, your liability has nothing to do with it. The other driver's liability is going to pay for yours. If you have a collision coverage, your insurance company usually works as your agent and deal with the other company.

Answer 5

Since you called your Ins. Co, they will send their adjuster to look at your car, since you have just liability coverage, you won't receive any money from your ins. co. the other guy's co will pay, if he has insurance. If he doesn't, I'm afraid your are out of luck, and will have to fight it in court. Your Insurance company will just contact the other co for you, and that's all they can do as a courtesy.

If you have questions, call your claims adjuster, they are there to help you and make sure that you understand what coverages you have and just what will happen now.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Easy. Insurance is a social device used to transfer your risk of loss to a third party (your insurance co) for premiums paid. By reporting the claim to your carrier, then your insurer is entitled to make you financially whole again (repair your vehicle). You would be responsible for your deductible and your insurer would be responsible for the remainder (up to the value of the vehicle). If you have the other party's insurance information, turn that over to your adjustor. They will contact that company and subrogate the amount that was paid out by them plus your deductible. Your deductible will then be refunded to you.

This is why you purchase insurance - it is your carrier's responsibility to get you back on the road ASAP. The other carrier has no responsibility to you, so why would they cut a check to you in any reasonable time - the longer they hold it the more interest it draws.

The fact you are insured for liability has no bearing (Liability insures you for damages done to a third party). Physical Damage (OTC and Collision) coverages insure you for damage done to your vehicle(s). Then there is UM/UIM and medical coverages, too (these vary from state to state).

Answer 7

Did you report the claim to YOUR company? Do you also have collision coverage? If so, then your company is going to handle the claim under your policy. You don't HAVE to...if you want to give the other company a chance to inspect and pay the claim then just tell your insurer that. They may inspect anyway but hold the paperwork in case you decide to proceed with the settlement through your own company.

Answer 8

Did they say the adjuster was from your company? It may be they have already heard from the other person's company and want to move forward to settle the claim. If you have questions, ask your company what is going on.

Answer 9

Not strange at all for you company to come and look at the damage. How else will they know what to fight for to get you compensated? The other company will look and try to keep it low, your company looking will help them to argue for you.

Answer 10

Go to the CA insurance department website. They will have approved schools listed there, and you can find one near you.