Auto insurance help!

[skypilot]

I worked in the claims dept of an insurance company for 38 years and I'm not going to get into this other than to say that someone sitting behind my desk for a week would have had a big time reality check and a lot less snarky comments.

[SL1229]

Originally Posted by skypilot

I worked in the claims dept of an insurance company for 38 years and I'm not going to get into this other than to say that someone sitting behind my desk for a week would have had a big time reality check and a lot less snarky comments.

Yeah, I thought Geico would be nicer about the situation. Well I've got an appointment with a physician tomorrow, hopefully it's not too late. The pain has subsided quite a bit now since last week, but still...mind as well go and see what the doc says.

Thanks everyone for your support...I'm starting to get really annoyed with Geico...

[keschete]

Some accidents may seem minor, but depending on the force exerted on your cervical spine can cause long term issues.

I was on the track, left the track at about 40 mph wearing a fairly heavy nomex helmet and spinning. I didn't hit anything, it was entirely my fault and insurance wont pay for track accidents. Several months later I started having headaches (occipital) and was taking all sorts of OTC pain relievers, my friend who also tracks his car is a chiropractor. I was terrified of chiropractors, but I went to see him and sure enough he got rid of the headaches. Just a low speed spin and the weight of the helmet was enough to cause an issue.

The insurance company can't just dismiss you and they are liable for medical expenses related to the accident. Just because physical damage was minor doesn't mean that you were not injured.

[SL1229]

Originally Posted by keschete

Some accidents may seem minor, but depending on the force exerted on your cervical spine can cause long term issues.

I was on the track, left the track at about 40 mph wearing a fairly heavy nomex helmet and spinning. I didn't hit anything, it was entirely my fault and insurance wont pay for track accidents. Several months later I started having headaches (occipital) and was taking all sorts of OTC pain relievers, my friend who also tracks his car is a chiropractor. I was terrified of chiropractors, but I went to see him and sure enough he got rid of the headaches. Just a low speed spin and the weight of the helmet was enough to cause an issue.

The insurance company can't just dismiss you and they are liable for medical expenses related to the accident. Just because physical damage was minor doesn't mean that you were not injured.

The issue now is that no lawyer will take my case....

[m j b]

Remember that advice you get on an Internet forum is worth what you pay for it. Maybe less. ;)

Here are my thoughts. The laws as I understand them in my state are different that in yours, however, general insurance principles are the same.

Once the insurance company has admitted responsibility for their insured, they can't go back on that. So you've got that going for you, which is very important.

Just because they have "closed" the claim doesn't mean that you can't pursue it any further. It just means that they want to stop paying on it. They can re-open it. This happens all of the time. There is a time limit, but it's years, not months.

The only time an insurance company can legitimately stop paying for a claim is when the money paid has reached the limits of the policy. You're nowhere near that limit yet.

You are probably right that no lawyer will take your case on a contingency basis, but you can still get representation if you are willing to pay for it.

Your injuries will likely get better on their own, only time will tell. That does not mean that it doesn't hurt, that it won't cost you more money, or that you will be fine in 10 years. It depends on the injuries, your health, age, etc.

You are entitled to have all reasonable expenses reimbursed by Geico. That is without dispute.

Geico has a reputation of being difficult when it comes to claims.

Any claims that you make against Geico will not affect your premiums since it is not your policy and the accident was not your fault.

Not all insurance companies are bad, and not all adjusters are bad. Yes, I work for an insurance company. No, I do not work in the claims department, but I know a lot of people who do. They know what they are legally responsible for and they often go beyond that because they are people too. They have to do what is right for the company, but they also have to do what is right for you and for the law. If they don't pay you when they should, they set themselves up for lawsuits, fines and the adjuster could lose his or her license.

There is no reason that you cannot escalate the claim to the adjuster's manager if you think you were treated unprofessionally or rudely.

If you think the insurance company is not conforming to the law in any respect, contact your state department of insurance. The insurance companies hate that, because they have to go back into the file and justify their actions. Typically you'll find that the DOI is on your side in the sense that they'll decide what is fair for both you and the insurance company.

Send the insurance company a demand letter. Tell them in no uncertain terms that they are still liable for your expenses and that you intend to take them to small claims court if they do not pay. Itemize the expenses and present it all together in an organized manner. Send the letter registered mail.

I concur with the advice that you see a real doctor. I'm not a fan of chiropractors, and you should see a licensed physician for purposes of the claim as well as your own health. The insurance company should reimburse you for that visit as well.

Best of luck.

[skypilot]

As an ex claims person, I will tell you that you just got some excellent advise from MJB.

[SL1229]

Originally Posted by m j b

Remember that advice you get on an Internet forum is worth what you pay for it. Maybe less. ;)

Here are my thoughts. The laws as I understand them in my state are different that in yours, however, general insurance principles are the same.

Once the insurance company has admitted responsibility for their insured, they can't go back on that. So you've got that going for you, which is very important.

Just because they have "closed" the claim doesn't mean that you can't pursue it any further. It just means that they want to stop paying on it. They can re-open it. This happens all of the time. There is a time limit, but it's years, not months.

The only time an insurance company can legitimately stop paying for a claim is when the money paid has reached the limits of the policy. You're nowhere near that limit yet.

You are probably right that no lawyer will take your case on a contingency basis, but you can still get representation if you are willing to pay for it.

Your injuries will likely get better on their own, only time will tell. That does not mean that it doesn't hurt, that it won't cost you more money, or that you will be fine in 10 years. It depends on the injuries, your health, age, etc.

You are entitled to have all reasonable expenses reimbursed by Geico. That is without dispute.

Geico has a reputation of being difficult when it comes to claims.

Any claims that you make against Geico will not affect your premiums since it is not your policy and the accident was not your fault.

Not all insurance companies are bad, and not all adjusters are bad. Yes, I work for an insurance company. No, I do not work in the claims department, but I know a lot of people who do. They know what they are legally responsible for and they often go beyond that because they are people too. They have to do what is right for the company, but they also have to do what is right for you and for the law. If they don't pay you when they should, they set themselves up for lawsuits, fines and the adjuster could lose his or her license.

There is no reason that you cannot escalate the claim to the adjuster's manager if you think you were treated unprofessionally or rudely.

If you think the insurance company is not conforming to the law in any respect, contact your state department of insurance. The insurance companies hate that, because they have to go back into the file and justify their actions. Typically you'll find that the DOI is on your side in the sense that they'll decide what is fair for both you and the insurance company.

Send the insurance company a demand letter. Tell them in no uncertain terms that they are still liable for your expenses and that you intend to take them to small claims court if they do not pay. Itemize the expenses and present it all together in an organized manner. Send the letter registered mail.

I concur with the advice that you see a real doctor. I'm not a fan of chiropractors, and you should see a licensed physician for purposes of the claim as well as your own health. The insurance company should reimburse you for that visit as well.

Best of luck.

Wow! Thank you! Right now, I'm going to send them the invoice for my chiropractor bills and see if they are willing to pay for it all. Will keep everyone updated!

Thanks again!