DISRUPTION

Please read an outstanding article written by Alex Polyakov:  Alex is co-founder and CEO of Livegenic, a company that delivers real-time visual technology to help organizations improve customer service and field operation support capabilities.
Here is the link for the article: http://www.livegenic.com/what-does-disruption-mean-for-independent-adjusters
Alex also asked me for my opinion and here is what I sent him!
Alex, 
Having worked for several major carriers and running an IA business for about a 40 year span, and now writing short stories about the dark side of claims, I must say, your article on disruption was outstanding. Very well composed, and researched and your insight is far superior to 90 percent of those up the corporate food chain. 
Here in lies the rub or the anomaly! On the surface and what most people see and believe about Insurance Companies is that they are a necessary evil. People reluctantly pay their premiums based on a fear spread by Insurance companies that you need things, very nice things, and you need to protect them from damage, theft, fire or some other such type thing. And regarding real estate or automobiles you own, if you do not insure them the lender will place forced insurance for you! 
All this said, as I have said many times, most, not all Insurance Companies sell you a Promise they never intended to keep! 
"Bottom Line", "at the end of the day" and "truth be told" (all over used cliches) PROFIT is the one and ONLY motivator! The Stock Holders care nothing for how the profit is made and how many lives (not their own) are forever changed or ruined by the stroke of the pen or keyboard in denying or reducing payment on claims. Overall cost per claim is the prevailing factor along with "how can we deny the claim." 
On the more positive side, I would say that any IA organization that wants to stay in business would have to or utilize an in-place team of Virtual Adjusters. Vetted and ready to handle various types of insurance claims. A Virtual Claims Team along with Virtual Managers and Supervisors! 
Also an active and updated list of upcoming companies that will soon be specializing in "Drone" operations. The Drones can in fact become the eyes for the initial field inspection. Then if damages warrant a personal inspection and face to face meeting with the insured or claimant, a list of Independent Field Adjusters in major locations along with professional photographers with some insurance background! Technology as you indicated is moving quickly in the insurance claims business, so recognizing those things and adapting how to use them is needed. Real time websites dedicated to keeping the inside adjuster and the insured and or claimant in the loop is also needed! 
Again, a very excellent written article and I'm looking forward to reading more of your insight! 

Jeff Weiss 




DISCLAIMER: All Blogs and Blog Posts written by, created by, edited by, reviewed by and published by the Owner, Editor or Designer, Jeff Weiss, Jeffrey M Weiss or Weiss, are just "opinions! There is absolutely no "legal" bases or claimed legal bases for any of the statements. These "Blogs" and "Stories" are posted only for the enlightenment of the readers. When actual names are used the Reader should verify all the statements before formulating an opinion of their own. Nothing in any of these Posts should be considered "FACT" until the reader has verified it for themselves. Those who Post a response or reply do it at their own peril and this Blog Post and its owners do not share in or carry any liability or responsibility for their comments.

WAIT

Introduction:

If I had to guess at what percentage of our lives we “wait” I would go with 90%!  Granted that seems high, but if you take into consideration not only waiting to see a medical professional, or waiting for “results” but also waiting for the traffic signal to change, waiting for your transportation to arrive or your significant other, I think you see my conclusion!

If still not convinced there is also waiting in line(s) to buy something like groceries, sports tickets, and pay traffic tickets, boarding a flight or waiting for a train or bus!  Babies are born waiting to be sent home from the hospital, have their dippers changed, be feed and learn to walk and talk.  Religious people are waiting for their Savior to come, or the end of the world or both!  Families are waiting for their children to come home from an evening on the town, work or military service.  Just about anywhere you go you will see a line of people waiting and you always want to find out why and are tempted to join the line!

While I’m sure I have missed hundreds if not thousands of ways we spend most of our lives waiting I think the point is made!  Think about some catch phrases like: Wait Up, Wait for me, Wait a minute, Wait and watch, Wait it out, Wait until the time is right, and Wait for the light to change to green. In short we are a people “Global” of “waiters!”  Not just in the USA but in every Country in the World!  We are all “WAITING”

DISCLAIMER: All Blogs and Blog Posts written by, created by, edited by, reviewed by and published by the Owner, Editor or Designer, Jeff Weiss, Jeffrey M Weiss or Weiss, are just "opinions! There is absolutely no "legal" bases or claimed legal bases for any of the statements. These "Blogs" and "Stories" are posted only for the enlightenment of the readers. When actual names are used the Reader should verify all the statements before formulating an opinion of their own. Nothing in any of these Posts should be considered "FACT" until the reader has verified it for themselves. Those who Post a response or reply do it at their own peril and this Blog Post and its owners do not share in or carry any liability or responsibility for their comments.

BABY'S DELIVERY COMES WITH NEARLY $1 MILLION PRICE TAG

 ABC7 News--> http://abc7ne.ws/1F5t2C2

Check out this story on ABC where after purchasing "Travel Health Insurance" Blue Cross denied this pregnancy claim citing things like "High Risk!"

This is yet another way in which Most but not all Insurance Companies sell you a promise they never intended to keep!

DISCLAIMER: All Blogs and Blog Posts written by, created by, edited by, reviewed by and published by the Owner, Editor or Designer, Jeff Weiss, Jeffrey M Weiss or Weiss, are just "opinions! There is absolutely no "legal" bases or claimed legal bases for any of the statements. These "Blogs" and "Stories" are posted only for the enlightenment of the readers. When actual names are used the Reader should verify all the statements before formulating an opinion of their own. Nothing in any of these Posts should be considered "FACT" until the reader has verified it for themselves. Those who Post a response or reply do it at their own peril and this Blog Post and its owners do not share in or carry any liability or responsibility for their comments.

Makes you "Think" REALLY!

Family Will Not Collect $2.4M for Worker's Death

By Jeff D. Gorman 1 hour ago

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Daytona Beach, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) - The family of a Florida construction worker who was killed by a 1-ton falling steel column cannot collect a $2.4 million judgment from his employer, a state appeals court ruled.
     Victor Lizarraga worked as a foreman for Metal Bilt, a subcontractor on a warehouse expansion project. His company worked on the 33-foot-tall steel columns that would support the building.
     The general contractor, R.L. Haines Construction, told the Metal Bilt employees to begin settling the steel columns after the epoxy had been drying for 44 hours, rather than the recommended 72 hours.
     Lizarraga was tightening a wire attached to one of the columns when the column fell on him and killed him.
     His wife, Eva Santamaria, and their two children sued R.L. Haines for wrongful death. The trial court agreed with them that the case fell within the intentional tort exception to workers' compensation immunity and awarded them $2.4 million.
     Florida's Fifth District Court of Appeals reversed 2-1 on Sept. 19, saying the standard Santamaria had to meet was that her husband's injury was "virtually certain."
     "Appellees were required to establish, among other elements, that as a result of the shortened epoxy cure time, the column was virtually certain to fall and injure the decedent," Associate Judge D.E. Silverman wrote for the majority. "This court must, therefore, review the facts and circumstances of this case to determine whether the evidence was sufficient to satisfy this 'extraordinarily high' standard."
     For the majority, the evidence did not meet that standard.
     "The record is devoid of evidence of prior similar accidents," Silverman said. "Moreover, the remaining three columns in the set - all of which were subject to the same shortened curing period - remained anchored to the base and standing upright."
     Even if the column was virtually certain to fall, no expert said it was virtually certain to kill someone, the ruling notes.
     Judge Jay Cohen wrote in dissent that R.L. Haines ignored the "red flag" of the movement of an anchor bolt on the set of columns and that the company falsely assured the employees of their safety.

Source: Courthouse News

DISCLAIMER: All Blogs and Blog Posts written by, created by, edited by, reviewed by and published by the Owner, Editor or Designer, Jeff Weiss, Jeffrey M Weiss or Weiss, are just "opinions! There is absolutely no "legal" bases or claimed legal bases for any of the statements. These "Blogs" and "Stories" are posted only for the enlightenment of the readers. When actual names are used the Reader should verify all the statements before formulating an opinion of their own. Nothing in any of these Posts should be considered "FACT" until the reader has verified it for themselves. Those who Post a response or reply do it at their own peril and this Blog Post and its owners do not share in or carry any liability or responsibility for their comments.

Another Carrier Promise!

A recent advertisement from a Major Insurance Carrier states they will not raise your rates after your first car accident!  They did not say they could simply cancel your policy or non-renew or a host of other things to penalize you!  Remember most but not all sell you a Promise they never intended too keep!
Someone I know very well had some water damage and called their insurance carrier and then within the hour called back to cancel the claim.  Seems the damage was very minor.  Within a week they received a letter from this carrier that said their policy could be cancelled if another claim was filed! With that they called the insurance company and reminded them that they had cancelled their claim within one hour after reporting it.  There was no assurance from the carrier that another claim reported still might trigger a cancellation or a non-renew status!  So now they feel threatened by their insurance company!

Jeff  

DISCLAIMER: All Blogs and Blog Posts written by, created by, edited by, reviewed by and published by the Owner, Editor or Designer, Jeff Weiss, Jeffrey M Weiss or Weiss, are just "opinions! There is absolutely no "legal" bases or claimed legal bases for any of the statements. These "Blogs" and "Stories" are posted only for the enlightenment of the readers. When actual names are used the Reader should verify all the statements before formulating an opinion of their own. Nothing in any of these Posts should be considered "FACT" until the reader has verified it for themselves. Those who Post a response or reply do it at their own peril and this Blog Post and its owners do not share in or carry any liability or responsibility for their comments.

Change.org

Recently joined www.change.org where liked minded people can petition companies, organizations or government entities!  Let me know about your Case Denied story and if think a petition is in order!


DISCLAIMER: All Blogs and Blog Posts written by, created by, edited by, reviewed by and published by the Owner, Editor or Designer, Jeff Weiss, Jeffrey M Weiss or Weiss, are just "opinions! There is absolutely no "legal" bases or claimed legal bases for any of the statements. These "Blogs" and "Stories" are posted only for the enlightenment of the readers. When actual names are used the Reader should verify all the statements before formulating an opinion of their own. Nothing in any of these Posts should be considered "FACT" until the reader has verified it for themselves. Those who Post a response or reply do it at their own peril and this Blog Post and its owners do not share in or carry any liability or responsibility for their comments.

Esurance the "Good Hands People"

Now that Esurance is owned by Allstate, many of the cost savings (for the carrier) are starting to emerge.  I have composed the following to try to explain the newest approach to Video/Virtual Auto Damage Appraisals that could save this carrier a large amount of money!  Let me know your thoughts!

Interesting approach to having your vehicle appraised after being involved in a “minor accident”!  Most times however there is always hidden damages that can’t be seen until parts of the vehicle are removed.  For example if your front or rear bumper is damaged, there could be hidden damage to the vehicle behind the bumper.  This is very common, so getting the first appraisal is just the start and once you go to a shop there very likely could be more damage.

Also the reason that the insurance company wants to settle with you quickly and get you paid quickly is that they are gambling that you will just keep the money and not seek out repairs or other estimates.  Percentages are high that you will keep the money and not make the repairs which will save the Insurance Company a lot of money.  If they could save $1.00 on every claim, and average a million claims per year, that would be one million in savings!

Now that Esurance is owned by Allstate, many of their cost savings (to the carrier) will be employed.  In my opinion things like this tend to benefit the insurance company more than the insured (you)!

Then keep in mind that often times the first estimate will come in under your deductible, so if there is another person that you feel is responsible for the damages, the insurance company will not pursue recovery for you.

If you have any such stories, please share them with me at CaseDenied.Blogspot.Com

Jeff

DISCLAIMER: All Blogs and Blog Posts written by, created by, edited by, reviewed by and published by the Owner, Editor or Designer, Jeff Weiss, Jeffrey M Weiss or Weiss, are just "opinions! There is absolutely no "legal" bases or claimed legal bases for any of the statements. These "Blogs" and "Stories" are posted only for the enlightenment of the readers. When actual names are used the Reader should verify all the statements before formulating an opinion of their own. Nothing in any of these Posts should be considered "FACT" until the reader has verified it for themselves. Those who Post a response or reply do it at their own peril and this Blog Post and its owners do not share in or carry any liability or responsibility for their comments.

Changing name of my next book from "Case Denied" Adjusters to "Insurance" A Promise made, never intended to Keep!

Same Introduction, different title.

This is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

What major industry other than Insurance charges you a premium for a promise and then tries hard to break that promise?  What if you knew the person making a life and or death decision regarding you and your future only had a High School Education, only had about two weeks training before being given a case load in excess of 100 files and told to resolve them as new claims to the tune of about five per day were coming to their desk?  What if these adjusters were sitting at desks in rows that resembled an assembly line and were more concerned with breaks and lunch and quitting time than the proper handling of your claim and spent more time in meetings and socializing after work at the local pub, then trying to get caught up on their work and become more proficient at their job?  What if these adjusters could recommend denial of your claim, or tell medical professionals that they could not do the medical procedure that Doctors had recommended and if these adjusters could actually use their preconceived ideas about you, and prejudices’ in deciding when and how much to pay for your claim?  Do you really think that the insurance companies with slogans like “the Good Fingers people” or “like a Next Door Neighbor” or “the Stone” or “we got your Back” has any actual merit or semblance of reality when it comes to handling your insurance claim?  Cute icons, like Cartoon Characters, or the Blue Panther, are in place to make you the consumer feel more confident about the insurance company that is looking to take as much of your money as they can, and give back as little as possible.  How would you feel if you knew the Insurance Company that you were paying your hard earned money to was using that money to not only promote Political Candidates that you would never consider endorsing, or on elaborate meetings and parties that make the recent IRS parties seem like a Church function?  What if that “security blanket” that you thought the insurance company was providing you was in reality nothing more than an elaborate scam trying to separate you from your money with a simple promise that they never intended to keep?  And then you must ask the question, how does the insurance company make us feel that we need insurance? The simple answer is “FEAR”!  Get consumers to purchase as many things as they can, live the life they have always wanted, then implant the fear that without insurance they could lose it all.  Without fear, which is manipulated by and in concert with, over reacted news coverage, most rational people would see through the fog of lies and misinformation that is presented on a daily bases.  Suggestion would be to limit your ownership to things you can protect without insurance, and if you buy insurance do your homework and find out as much as you can about that company.  It will not be easy, as they work hard to hide behind a wall of fabricated facts, and so called real life testimonials from Hollywood actors!  In this book your will follow my path from college to sales jobs to adjusting with several major insurance companies. You decide your fate and future and don’t let big insurance companies fear you into submission!  Just as with the percentage of fraudulent claims that are reported, so goes the percentage of “bad” or “fringe” adjusters.  For the most part most insurance claims are above board as are most adjusters.  I have worked with hundreds of adjusters and would trust my life with most of them!  Not all of them, but most of them!  This book is actually dedicated to all those hard working, honest and well educated adjusters that are out there.  Unfortunately many of them are now either retired or out of work!  

As I said at the introduction, this book is fiction, and I will add that any resemblance to actual people, companies, places, events or things is purely a coincidence and most likely the product of the authors’ imagination.

DISCLAIMER: All Blogs and Blog Posts written by, created by, edited by, reviewed by and published by the Owner, Editor or Designer, Jeff Weiss, Jeffrey M Weiss or Weiss, are just "opinions! There is absolutely no "legal" bases or claimed legal bases for any of the statements. These "Blogs" and "Stories" are posted only for the enlightenment of the readers. When actual names are used the Reader should verify all the statements before formulating an opinion of their own. Nothing in any of these Posts should be considered "FACT" until the reader has verified it for themselves. Those who Post a response or reply do it at their own peril and this Blog Post and its owners do not share in or carry any liability or responsibility for their comments.