I’m in a bit of a frustrating situation and could really use some advice.
In late May 2024, my husband was rear-ended, resulting in his car being totaled. Since we have full coverage, we opened a claim with our insurance on the same day as the accident. The police arrived and determined the other driver was at fault. They noted that my husband sustained injuries, although he declined an ambulance at the scene. The next morning, he went to urgent care and was diagnosed with a concussion, which forced him to take a few days off work.
The other driver claimed to be insured with the same company, but it turned out he was actually uninsured, as he was driving his father’s truck without proper coverage.
As we were new to the claims process, we contacted our insurance agent multiple times to understand our options. Initially, we received compensation for the totaled car, and we also mentioned our desire for pain and suffering compensation for my husband’s missed workdays. After a while, we assumed the insurance would investigate and make an offer.
Three months passed, and we were notified that a new agent would be handling our claim. We explained that my husband continued to experience brain fog from the concussion and had ongoing follow-ups with his doctor. The new agent requested that we sign an affidavit confirming we had no other insurance, as well as a medical release form for my husband. We promptly completed and notarized these documents, and sent them back via the provided envelope and uploaded them through a designated link. However, we heard nothing for months. When I followed up regarding a potential settlement, I didn’t receive a response.
Another few months went by, and we were assigned yet another agent who wanted to discuss our claim. After so many unproductive conversations, I requested that we communicate via email for better record-keeping. Now, I’ve just received a request from Agent #3 to resubmit the same affidavit from months ago.
At this point, it’s been 9.5 months, and I’m increasingly anxious about the duration of the investigation into my claim. I’ve answered all questions and completed all necessary forms. However, each time I inquire about a settlement or offer, I seem to get ignored and then transferred to a different agent. I feel like I’m being taken advantage of, and there’s potentially some bad faith at play with Progressive.
I was particularly upset to see that the agency requested a form I had already submitted months ago. Are we starting from scratch again? I just don’t understand.
I didn’t seek a personal injury attorney because this community advised against it. What are we missing? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!
It sounds like you’re going through a frustrating and drawn-out process with your insurance claim. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed given the amount of time that has passed and the number of agents you’ve dealt with. Here are some steps you might consider taking to move forward:
Documentation: Keep meticulous records of all your communications with the insurance company. This includes dates, names of agents, the content of conversations, and copies of any documents you’ve sent. This will be invaluable if you need to escalate your claim.
Contact a Supervisor: Since you’ve already dealt with several agents and haven’t received satisfactory answers, ask to speak with a supervisor or manager. Express your frustrations clearly and provide them with a timeline of your claim. Sometimes, escalating the issue can result in faster action.
Request a Written Status Update: You could send a formal email or letter requesting a comprehensive status update on your claim. This should include the current status, reasons for the delay, and what additional information is required on your part.
Consult an Attorney: While you may feel that you don’t need one based on advice you’ve seen, consulting with a personal injury attorney can provide clarity and may incentivize the insurance company to act more swiftly. Many attorneys offer free consultations and charge only if you win your case.
File a Complaint: If you continue to experience delays and lack of communication, consider filing a complaint with your state’s insurance commissioner. They can investigate the matter and may help facilitate a resolution.
Consider Mediation: If the situation remains stagnant, mediation might be an option. This involves a neutral third party to help facilitate a resolution between you and the insurance company.
Know Your Rights: Review your insurance policy to understand your rights and the obligations of the insurance company. If they are not fulfilling their duties as outlined in the policy, you may have grounds for a complaint.
Be Persistent: Continue to follow up regularly. Set reminders to check in with the claims adjuster or supervisor on a weekly basis if necessary.
While it’s understandable to want to handle the situation without an attorney, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice if you feel your rights are not being respected. You deserve a fair resolution, especially given the circumstances surrounding your husband’s accident. Good luck, and I hope you receive a resolution soon!