May
21
2010
The insurance policy requires the person who caused your accident to contact the insurance company promptly. As soon as the accident is reported to the company, they begin an investigation and begin preparing to defend the company against your claim. Insurance company employees are knowledgeable about claims and are trained to make your claim cost the insurance company as little as possible.
You need someone knowledgeable working on your claim and looking out for your interests as soon as possible… [ read more ]
Feb
10
2010
Egena Younger, Claims Consultant
Author: Egena T. Younger
You have been involved in an accident and are contacted by the insurance company. The adjuster requests your full name, address, date of birth and social security number. You feel uncomfortable providing such private information, but you are told that the information is required to handle your claim, or maybe you are told that it is required to properly issue your check upon settlement of your claim.… [ read more ]
Oct
22
2009
Bill Bootwright, Claims Consultant
Author: William P. “Bill” Bootwright, Claims Consultant
You have often heard the expression “you can’t have your cake and eat it, too.” (1) But that’s exactly what the insurance companies try to do in handling claims. Whatever the situation, they try to argue that means the injured person wasn’t hurt very much. Sometimes they create a problem, and then try to benefit from it. Just the other day I… [ read more ]
Apr
29
2009
Author: William P. Bootwright
Bill Bootwright, Claims Consultant
It’s often been said, and with good reason, that the contributory negligence defense is “an insurance company’s dream” and plaintiff’s “worst nightmare.” Under the common law doctrine of contributory negligence, there is no comparison of fault between the wrongdoer and the injured person. If the injured person is even 1% at fault in a way that significantly contributes to cause the… [ read more ]
Apr
13
2009
Attorney Elizabeth M. Allen
Author: Attorney Elizabeth Morrell Allen
You’ve been in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault. Within a few days, an adjuster for the insurance company of the guy who hit you calls on the telephone. The adjuster wants you to give a recorded statement telling her how the accident happened and also asks you to provide some personal information. She says she wants to help you,… [ read more ]
Apr
6
2009
Claims Consultant Chris Cloude
Author: Chris Cloude
You are driving to the grocery store taking your time and following your normal route. As you approach an intersection, the stoplight is green and you proceed into the intersection. Out of the corner of your eye you see a flash, and your car is hit on the passenger side.
A few days later, an adjuster calls you from the insurance company for the person that hit you.… [ read more ]
Mar
30
2009
Author: Elizabeth Morrell Allen
Attorney Elizabeth M. Allen
How much automobile insurance should you buy?
The answer is easy: As much as you can afford.
The primary reason to buy automobile insurance, both liability and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, is to protect you and your assets. Your insurance company will almost never pay more in damages, to you or to a person you negligently injure, than the dollar amount of the… [ read more ]
Mar
18
2009
Attorney Charles Littlepage Allen
By Attorney Charles L. Allen
“What is my case worth?” I am often asked this question by clients when I am first getting to know them. The simple answer is this; whatever a jury says it is worth.
Some people with personal injury claims are surprised to find out that they are not automatically entitled to a… [ read more ]
Mar
9
2009
Attorney Kathleen Llewellyn-Duncan
By Attorney Kathleen Llewellyn-Duncan
Medical Expense coverage (sometimes known as Medical Payments) is an optional coverage available on Virginia Automobile Policies. This coverage covers all reasonable and necessary medical expenses for injuries resulting from a motor vehicle collision, or even arising out of the use of a motor vehicle. Medical Payments coverage covers anyone named on the policy (the “named insured”), a… [ read more ]
Mar
4
2009
What About My Car?
You may or may not have had severe injuries after your unfortunate car or truck accident but WHAT ABOUT YOUR CAR? If your car was damaged and the accident was not your fault, here are some guidelines to help you in dealing with the insurance companies and getting your car repaired.
What is covered?
You are entitled to payment for any damage done to… [ read more ]
