Struggling with My Car Insurance Claim for Nearly 6 Months
Hey everyone, I need some advice. My car was stolen from outside my home last year, and I’m getting close to the 6-month mark without any resolution. The adjuster just doesn’t seem inclined to help. Every time I try to reach him—whether it’s by phone, voicemail, or email—he rarely responds. When I do manage to get him on the line, he casually mentions that they are still “investigating.” I’m perplexed, especially since the highway patrol recovered my car within two weeks of the theft.
I spoke with the highway patrol, and they confirmed there is no ongoing investigation; it was simply a straightforward recovery and my car was taken to a tow yard. Since the tow yard is three hours away, I couldn’t retrieve it myself, so I signed a release form for my insurance to pick it up. I assumed they would bring it to my house, but that didn’t happen. Instead, they’re keeping it at their yard, and although they said I wouldn’t incur any storage fees—since they plan to fix the car—I still haven’t laid eyes on it.
According to the tow yard, the car is in decent shape and hasn’t been crashed. They also advised me to find a local shop I trust for a thorough inspection. However, whenever I inquire about the status, the adjuster just regurgitates the same line about investigating or waiting for his supervisor. It’s frustrating.
I told him I need my car back, and he mentioned that I could pick it up, but I wouldn’t be able to drive it without gas—even though the claim is supposed to be progressing. It’s a hassle since I’d have to arrange a tow back home.
To make matters worse, he’s also requested my call logs and text messages, which I’ve already sent. They’re not in the PDF format he wants, and while I’ve tried to explain the issue, he’s dismissive, saying he doesn’t want to pursue a subpoena due to potential delays. I’m almost feeling stuck in a loop: he asks for information I’ve already provided while saying he’s waiting on his supervisor.
This whole situation feels incredibly unprofessional, and I’m starting to think I may need legal help. I’ve called a few lawyer offices, but they seem to focus mostly on injury or accident claims and not on insurance disputes. All I really want is to get my car back—it shouldn’t take this long! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I’m really sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with the insurance adjuster and the whole situation regarding your stolen car. It sounds incredibly stressful, especially given that it’s been nearly six months and you’re still waiting for answers. Here are some steps you might consider taking:
Document Everything: Keep a detailed record of all your communications with the adjuster, including dates, times, and the nature of the calls or emails. This will help you if you need to escalate the situation.
Escalate Your Claim: If the adjuster is unresponsive, try contacting a supervisor or manager at the insurance company. Explain your situation clearly and provide them with all relevant documents.
Contact Your Insurance Company: If you haven’t already, reach out to the customer service department of your insurance company. Explain the situation and express your concerns about the adjuster’s lack of communication and progress.
File a Complaint: If you feel that your claim is being mishandled, you can file a complaint with your state’s insurance department. They can help advocate for you and may be able to expedite the process.
Consult a Lawyer: Even if the lawyers you’ve contacted focus primarily on personal injury or car crash claims, there may be some who specialize in insurance disputes. It could be worth reaching out to a few more to explain your situation and seek their advice.
Consumer Advocacy Groups: Look for local or national consumer advocacy groups that might be able to assist you in dealing with the insurance company.
Consider Mediation: Some states have mediation programs that help resolve disputes between consumers and insurance companies. This could be another avenue to explore.
Social Media: Sometimes, raising your issue on social media platforms (while ensuring you maintain professionalism) can prompt a quicker response from the company.
It’s definitely not normal for a claim to take this long, especially given that your car has been recovered. Keep pushing for answers, and don’t hesitate to seek help from professionals who can advocate on your behalf. Good luck, and I hope you get your car back soon!