The importance of insurance is obvious. Insurance touches the home, family and business life of every one of us. However, insurance law is very complex and the resolution of coverage disputes will often depend on the careful analysis of the unique facts and circumstances of each case and how that applies to Ohio law.
Life is uncertain and unpredictable. Accidents occur and promises are broken. To ease your mind of life's uncertainties, you pay your insurance premiums - you auto, home and life premiums. Will your insurance company be there when you need them? What happens when someone hits you from behind and damages your car and injures your family? Should you file a claim with your own carrier? What if the other party has little or no insurance? What is meant by uninsured and underinsured? What if you have a serious accident and the other party has the state minimum coverage of $12,500?
In Ohio, insurance companies are regulated by the Ohio Department of Insurance, and must follow the Unfair Property and Casualty Claims Settlement Practice Act in Chapter 3901 of the Ohio Administrative Code. This section provides the minimum standards that an insurance company must follow when investigating and settling a claim. Has your claim been unfairly denied? Did you get a fair settlement? You may need an attorney to help you answer these questions. Insurers can be held liable for their actions and performance and may be held liable for Bad Faith.
As an insurance consumer, here are a few tips that you may find helpful:
•· Know your policy. You may need to contact an attorney to help you through the 40 plus pages of the insurance contract. I have written insurance policies and endorsements and I have trained hundreds of adjusters on how to analyze and interpret those contracts.
•· File a claim as soon as possible and provide complete and correct information. If you are asked to submit to an EUO (examination under oath) or a deposition, you may need to be represented by an attorney who knows insurance law.
•· Don't rush into a settlement. You may need to contact an attorney to see if your settlement offer is fair.
After 16 years in the insurance industry, I have seen how the insurance companies make money and how they treat their customers. If you find yourself in a battle with an insurance company, call an advocate who can help you through the process. Call me for a free initial consultation at 513-334-4584.
