Car Insurance Cluster

[rpadula]

Time to tap the collective noggin' of the board, cause I don't know how to figure this out...

A friend of mine was hit in her car a few weeks ago. She's OK, but the car, worth only about $1k or so, is totalled. The cause of the wreck was a young girl driving her BF's car and so says the police report. Car had Louisiana tags and the BF had insurance with a company based there.

The insurance company is dragging their feet based on:

1. Accident happened here in GA. (I fail to see what that has to do with anything, but this insurance co. is licensed to sell here in GA, too)

2. Since GF was driving, they're trying to contact the BF and see if he gave permission for her to drive it, since she's not named on the policy. He refuses to return any calls or certified letters.


Any ideas on how and where to apply pressure?

TIA,

Rich

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

The Law Firm of Jennings, Poducet, Temple and Gaines
12345 Main St
MyHomeTown, Ga 52535

Attn:
Claims Dept
Half-Wit Insurance Co
LoserTown, Ga. 53544


regarding claim #99119922

The law firm of J,P,T & G writes on behalf of its client, ________.
Briefly, but to the point: If a settlement offer on the above claim is not received by Oct 1, 2005 we plan to file suit in the county of _________ to pursue this beyond the requested damages to include both injuries and pain & suffering that our client is beginning to experience as a result of this collision which the police report records as 100% the fault of your insured.
Blahblahblah,
YVT,
The Meanest Lawfirm east of the Mississippi.

 

[gibbons]

I don't know how helpful they'll be, but:
http://www.inscomm.state.ga.us/

 

[cherokeeflyboy]

The Law Firm of Jennings, Poducet, Temple and Gaines
12345 Main St
MyHomeTown, Ga 52535

Attn:
Claims Dept
Half-Wit Insurance Co
LoserTown, Ga. 53544


regarding claim #99119922

The law firm of J,P,T & G writes on behalf of its client, ________.
Briefly, but to the point: If a settlement offer on the above claim is not received by Oct 1, 2005 we plan to file suit in the county of _________ to pursue this beyond the requested damages to include both injuries and pain & suffering that our client is beginning to experience as a result of this collision which the police report records as 100% the fault of your insured.
Blahblahblah,
YVT,
The Meanest Lawfirm east of the Mississippi.

I dont know if writing a letter like this constitutes fraud, but it is surely dishonest. I am not an attorney, nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn express recently. Could you get into hot water for impersonating an attorney, or practicing law with out a license?
Make a claim on your insurance and let them deal with the other company might work.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I dont know if writing a letter like this constitutes fraud, but it is surely dishonest.

nononononono!!!
I was suggesting he HIRE an attorney to represent his interest!!
(Attorney letterhead often gets more attention in such an office than a handwritten rant from the claimant)

 

[John J]

Rich;

Dave's suggestion is the way to go for now for most insurance companies will drag it our as long as they can.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

John

 

[Ken Ibold]

(Attorney letterhead often gets more attention in such an office than a handwritten rant from the claimant)

Very, very true. A few years ago my wife and I were in a dispute with a hospital over the fact that they were billiing us for a treatment error on my wife. We weren't threatening a malpractice suit (even though it was), but we didn't feel like we should pay them for giving her treatment intended for someone else. Letter after letter, call after call. We were getting nowhere fast. Finally they threatened collections. My wife changed from using her personal letterhead to her "attorney at law" letterhead and we instantly got a written response from the head of the hospital saying the bill was dropped, have a nice day.

 

[silver-eagle]

Last I knew, it didn't matter one wit if she had permission to drive the car so long as it wasn't stolen. Presumably she had the keys which would imply permission. The insurance company is still on the hook.
If she didn't have permission, then she stole it. Now that is a whole new kettle of fish.