Posted On: April 9, 2006, 10:06 am CDT

Posted By: Pat

State Farm, along with numerous other High Profile companies, and some obscure companies, contracts for additional workers to service their policyholders in a time of catastrophe. These companies labeled, Independent adjusting firms, with names such as Pilot, Worley, Renfro, Eberl, and others provide trained licensed professional workers that are compensated based upon how much damage they observe and pay for. In short the larger the check paid to the insured the MORE money paid to the individual adjuster and his firm. Now, I ask you what incentives are there to short pay a policyholder.
I admit mistakes are always made that's why re-inspection is a part of the process.
But, speaking as one of those lowly independent adjusters, whose been doing this for 10+ years, I find where some of the newbie adjuster just make mistakes as newbie Lawyers do. In that case supplemental payments are made.
I just worked Katrina for State farm, and worked over 200 claims. I did not have one of my claims turned back from payment by State Farm. Lastly, I agree and have PAID for NUMEROUS times through State Farm, wind damage to shingles that can't reseal or roofs that can't be repaired because of the opposite. Sometimes shingles blown away and the rest are welded together making repairs not feasible.
What I have personally have found to work in dealing with any problem that may crop up is determination and understanding and low tones, not loud rhetoric.
The people in this business would rather pay in every case if they can find coverage, rather than fight a flawed position.
At the end of the day insurances workers just want to get on with their life and not have pent up passion towards any individual policy holder. But they are human just like lawyers working for someone else's benefit. Don't bring their passion into pay.