State Farm has been hit for $8,000,000 in punitive damages in Kansas. Unfortunately, Kansas law has a cap on non-economic damages (non-economic damages are damages for things other than wage loss, medical bills, repair or replacement cost of the vehicle)….
Posts Categorized In: Claims
6 Questions to Help Determine If Your Claim is Covered
These six questions were taught to me when I was a young adjuster. I do not recommend you try to get into complex coverage issues without speaking to someone who has done this. But, if you want to know the…
Do you get Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost?
Many of you may be trying to figure out what the question even means. I know adjusters who are still trying to figure it out. Let me explain: Suppose you have a fire. Your personal property is burned. What does…
The Insurance Company’s Obligation to Protect Its Insured
The question of the day: Suppose you are in an auto accident and you have a $15,000/$30,000 policy. (Most of you should not, but let’s say you do.) You have injured 3 people. Each claim is worth $15,000. The insurance…
Two or More Policies Insure One Car
Lets say you have more than one insurance policy covering a car. (This is based on a true story!) You have a policy with company A to insure the car. You then take out a policy with company B. And…
Your Expensive Jewelry and Insurance
Some of you reading this have a lot of expensive items that you think are covered by insurance. But, they may not be covered. Your insurance policy limits how much it will pay for certain items. Most policies limit jewelry,…
Your Insurance Policy Covers Your Personal Property for What?
Your homeowners insurance policy covers you for damage to your home, your “other structures” and your personal property. The home and other structures are covered for any damage that occurs that is not excluded by your policy. (I know, that…
Do Not Burn Your Own Car
Apparently, due to high gas prices, some people are burning their own cars. This would be a bad thing to do. Burning your own car is insurance fraud. It is a felony in California. If you cannot afford your car,…
Who Owns The Car After A Claim?
Someone reported that they had their car stolen. The insurance company was processing the claim when the police called and the car was found. Who owns the car now? This is an interesting question. If the insurance company had just…
Insurance Fraud – Again!!!!!!
This is a story that really annoys me. An attorney has been accused of insurance fraud. He was, allegedly, the mastermind behind an insurance fraud operation that would recruit people to get into accidents. Apparently, some of these people were…