Insurance Help

Insurance. Duplicated Insurance Wastes Money.
Have you ever worked out how much you spend on insurance? Try totting up your premiums ? we suspect you’ll be surprised! You’ll be even more surprised to discover that there’s a probability that you’ve also duplicated some of the cover you’re paying for. Cut the duplication out and you’re certain to save money. Lots of people have insurance cover for legal expenses, loss of income, theft, even death, without even realising it. This can arise because many of us don’t fully understand what’s covered by the policies we have, especially if the policies had been arranged for us by financial advisers and brokers. In a recent survey, The Financial Services Authority (FSA) discovered that optional extras such as breakdown recovery and legal expense cover, were frequently added to car insurance without checking whether the policyholder was already covered. It’s also not uncommon to find that people with Permanent Medical Insurance have duplicated their cover via payment protection policies taken out specifically to cover their monthly payments on mortgages, loans and credit cards. The point is that if they claim on their Permanent Medical Insurance, their payout will be reduced because part of their claim is also insured through their payment protection policies ? so their payment protection insurance is really a waste of money. The Financial Ombudsman has confirmed this saying, ?People often contact us when they find themselves over-insured. They often do not realise until they make a claim that they have been paying for a policy that provides very little, if any, benefit?. There’s also ample of evidence that some of us simply don’t understand what we’re actually insured for! For example, take the case of Amanda Lariviere from West Yorkshire. Amanda, aged 42 and mother of two, is recovering from ovarian cancer and had an allergic reaction to chemotherapy which kept her off work. Out of the blue she received an unwelcome tax bill so she decided to visit her building society to find out if she could raise some cash by re-mortgaging. The adviser at the Society wisely asked her to bring with her, her life insurance policies so that they could be used to support her re-mortgage application. So imagine Amanda’s surprise and delight when the adviser explained that her policies with Norwich Union and Scottish Provident, which had been costing her ?80 per month, were not life insurance policies at all ? they were actually critical illness policies with a combined insured value of ?100,000. She was able to claim on these policies and the ?100,000 she received was sufficient to pay off most of her mortgage and her tax bill! Here’s some typical insurance policies to check out. Critical Illness Insurance Critical Illness insurance is often sold as an optional extra within a life insurance policy. In fact that’s usually the cheapest way to buy it. However, some enlightened employers already provide critical illness insurance as part of their employment package. Ask your employer if you are one of the lucky ones! Life Insurance Some employers also provide life insurance cover within their pension schemes. It’s called death-in-service benefit and typically pays out a tax-free lump sum worth 3 to 4 times the annual salary if the employee were to die whilst employed by the company. Permanent Medical Insurance and Payment Protection Insurance Permanent Medical Insurance (PMI) is also known by some people as Income Protection Insurance. PMI pays out the insured monthly sum if the policyholder is off work due to illness due to one of a wide range of specified illnesses - and some policies will even pay out during redundancy. PMI policies pay out indefinitely or at least until the policy comes to the end of its insured term. Few appreciate is that PMI actually eliminates the need for Payment Protection insurance ? the sort of insurance frequently sold alongside loans, credit cards and mortgages to maintain monthly payments if you are off sick, have an accident or are made redundant. Indeed, you can’t make a claim against more than one policy for the same event ? only one policy will agree to pay out! (All the others will reduce their payouts to the value of the money you are receiving from your other policies) Mobile Phone Insurance Normally mobile phone policies have a hefty excess ? rarely less than ?50. You could be better saving the insurance and changing to a pay-as-you-go plan. Legal Expense Insurance Insurance for legal expenses relating to disputes concerning your home will usually be included free of charge within your home and contents insurance policy. Most car insurance policies provide legal expense cover as an optional extra ? others even include it as standard. Some trade unions and professional associations sometimes include access to legal advice as part of their service to their members. Check these out before you pay for more cover! Insurance for ID Theft According to ?Which?, the consumer magazine, you are only legally responsible for the first ?50 if your identity is stolen. Is it worth insuring for a ?50 risk? Incidentally, my bank has just given me this insurance for free! Automatic cover for credit card purchases Many credit cards automatically insure your purchases for a set period of time after you’ve shopped. Barclaycard is a good example. If you used Barclaycard to buy something valued between ?50 and ?2,000, you’re insured against theft and accidental damage for the next 60 days. Michael is the expert financial editor for Scrouge Online who specialise in <a href="http://www.scrouge-online.co.uk">Life Insurance</a> and <a href="http://www.scrouge-online.co.uk/home-insurance.htm">Home Insurance </a>
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Insurance Appraisal Process A Policyholder s Best Chance to Resolve an Insurance Claim Dispute
Many homeowners and business owners find themselves disagreeing with their insurance company’s analysis of their insurance claim However, most are unaware that they can dispute the insurance company’s findings via the insurance appraisal process! Even though the policyholder (you) submits a contractor’s estimate, receipts for repairs or materials, or even photos showing damages that the insurance company did not include for repairs they still won’t budge . .Most policyholders are unaware of how to dispute and resolve their claim with the insurance company Policyholders have a choice and a voice within their policy for this very purpose It’s called The Appraisal Clause - also know as The Appraisal Provision Now, don’t let this scare you It may seem like a fancy clause that would take a law degree to understand However, a simple way to understand it is that it’s the insurance industry’s version of arbitration Although similar, the Appraisal Process is NOT an arbitration or mediation and the umpire is not an arbitrator, mediator, or judge Insurance Appraisal, Mediation, and Arbitration are separate things . .In short; Arbitration requires attorneys and a legal process, where Insurance Appraisal does not require attorneys or a legal process Arbitration is a dispute between two parties for any reason, where as, the Insurance Appraisal Process is a dispute between the “value or cost,” to repair or replace property only - bee it an automobile, plane, train, couch, house, commercial building, etc . .Most Policies Have the Appraisal Clause . .If you feel you’re at a dead end with your insurance company and want to resolve your claim you’ll need to check your policy for the Appraisal Clause Most policies will have the provision listed under the “What to do after a loss,” section or the “Conditions” section of the policy Below, you will find a sample of a typical Insurance Appraisal Clause included in most policies Keep in mind that policies can be different in each state Therefore, you should read your own policy to see if this clause exists It will say something similar to the following ; . . . “APPRAISAL - If you and we fail to agree on the amount of loss, either one can demand that the amount of the loss be set by appraisal If either makes a written demand for appraisal, each shall select a competent, independent appraiser Each shall notify the other of the appraiser’s identity within 20 days of receipt of the written demand The two appraisers shall then select a competent, impartial umpire If the two appraisers are unable to agree upon an umpire within 15 days, you or we can ask a judge of a court of record in the state where the residence premises is located to select an umpire The appraisers shall then set the amount of the loss If the appraisers fail to agree within a reasonable time, they shall submit their differences to the umpire Written agreement signed by any two of these three shall set the amount of the loss ” . . .OK, But How Does the Insurance Appraisal Process Work? . .The Appraisal Process allows the policyholder (you) to hire an independent appraiser to determine the value of their damages In turn, the insurance company will also hire their own independent appraiser The two appraisers will then get together and select an umpire The umpire is basically the arbitrator, or what you might call the judge If a disagreement between the two appraisers arises, they can present their differences to the umpire who will make a ruling . .OK; so far so good, the basics of the insurance appraisal process are beginning to come together We have an independent appraiser for the policyholder We have an independent appraiser for the insurance company Finally, there is an Umpire These three individuals are known as The Appraisal Panel The object of the Appraisal Panel is to set or determine The Amount of Loss The Amount of Loss is the total dollar amount needed to return the damaged property back to its original condition, either by repair or replacement . .Once the Appraisal Panel is set, the policyholder’s chosen appraiser and the insurance company’s chosen appraiser will review the documents, estimates, and differences between them The two independent appraisers will try to discuss and resolve the differences in damage and in cost For example; the insurance company may determine that brick on a home does not need to be replaced Where as, the contractor or appraiser for the policyholder says that it does have to be replaced The two appraisers will discuss their reasons for their position and try to come to an agreement, first if it should be repaired or replaced, and secondly the cost to return the brick back to it’s original condition prior to the loss . .One benefit of the Insurance Appraisal Process is that the two independent appraisers have not been subject to the bickering and anger between the policyholder and the insurance company Basically, it’s the hope that cooler heads will prevail All the appraisers really have is the amount of the damage and the difference between the two estimate numbers They do not have the previous baggage or anger that led up to the Appraisal The process was designed so that these two individuals, who have no interest in the outcome, could discuss a settlement based on the facts presented to them . .Sometimes issues arrive where the two independent appraisers can’t agree on certain items In this event, the two appraisers will submit their differences to the chosen umpire The three will discuss the issues and try to reach an agreed settlement of the differences As stated above; the settlement or final number is called The Amount of Loss The final amount is known as the Appraisal Award The Award is signed by the individuals who agree on The Amount of Loss However, only TWO of the three individuals need to agree (An agreement between the two independent appraisers, or the umpire and either appraiser) Once any TWO of the three individuals on the Appraisal Panel sign the award the dispute is over! The amount on the Award binding and is paid by the insurance company, to the policyholder . .Can I Use An Insurance Attorney To Dispute My Claim? . .The Appraisal Clause was initiated to lower the number of lawsuits filed against insurance companies The courts found that many lawsuits were entering the legal system where the cost to repair or replaced damaged property was being disputed In many cases the suites were being resolved when professional engineers and contractors could address the issues The Appraisal Process was created to get such individuals together and keep these disputes out of the courtroom Assuming you acquired an estimate of repair to your property for $100,000, from a contractor or insurance claims expert Your insurance company has created an estimate for $30,000 This would be a clear dispute between the amounts of damage This type of dispute is exactly what the Appraisal Clause was developed to resolve .
Source: www.rsstnx.com

Advantages to the Insurance Appraisal Process
There are several advantages to the Insurance Appraisal Process The most obvious is costs Insurance Attorney’s will usually charge 30% to 45% of the total award On a $200,000 claim, the attorney’s fee would be in the range of Sixty to Ninety-thousand dollars ($60,000 to $90,000) That can hurt a policyholder trying to rebuild their life Remember, the Insurance Appraisal Process was designed to keep these disputes out of the courtroom . .The advantage of invoking appraisal allows for a less formal or non-legal proceeding An Independent Appraiser usually charges in the range of $125 to $200 per hour Using the same example above with an award of $200,000; if the dispute took 25 to 50 hours, the cost would be in the range of Five Thousand to Ten Thousand dollars ($5,000 to $10,000) This can be a significant difference . .Another advantage is time The courtroom can delay an insurance claim dispute for years, where the Appraisal Process usually only takes a few months Sometimes it can last longer depending on the complexity of the claim However, the courtroom will most certainly be longer The result of less time and less cost becomes a less of a burden for both sides of the dispute . .Once an award is signed the insurance company has 30 to 60-days (depending on state) to settle the award . .Should I Invoke the Appraisal Clause For My Claim? . .When the dispute is real and the damages are real, the policyholder usually see’s a greater return at the end of the appraisal If the policyholder’s claim is supported by an Insurance Claims Expert, building or repair contractors, or an engineer - and the amount of money between the two estimates is large, the Appraisal Process is a no-brainer However, if a contractor or Public Adjuster is trying to beef-up the damages for their own benefit, then it’s the policyholder that pays dearly for it If you’re considering invoking appraisal on your claim you should consult an insurance claim expert to see if it’s worth your time and effort . .Being that the Appraisal Award is binding the policyholder should be sure before they cost themselves unwanted anguish If the outcome of your Appraisal Award is not what was to be expected, both parties must live with the result As stated, the Appraisal Award is binding on “both parties ” . .At the end of the day nothing is risk free There are no promises or guarantees with the outcome of any Appraisal However, if you have a dispute over $20,000 you’re more than likely to have a result you can live with Do your homework and remember to choose an Independent Appraiser that is educated and experienced with the type of damages you have, what caused the damage, and the type of property damaged Keep in mind that this is “YOUR,” property and “YOUR,” insurance policy Your policy protects you with the Insurance Appraisal Process, so that . .The Playing Field Remains Level, and The Process Works Fairly . .For Both Parties Not Just The Insurance Companies! .
Source: www.rsstnx.com