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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
 Posted - 03/13/2003 : 20:46:59
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Jim, I wasn't arguing with you, just simply shedding some light on my point about a PAs fee schedule in comparison to an attorney's. I learned something too. A PA's can go much higher, up to 50% of the settlement amount, per the website I reviewed.
Not trying to start a fight. Just sharing information. I hope that's ok with you.
Bad faith is a serious issue. I am sure if the company involved in Donna's claim had been found guilty of that, the settlement would have been more than $250,000.
Watch out for those North Carolina wild elephants. They're everywhere!
Later!
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 20:59:21
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I don't believe there is any 'administrative' or 'governing body' that places a restraint on what a PA can charge.
Dave, there is an area of your 3/12 post that I keep looking at in some amazement or confusion.
I've witnesses the feeding frenzy by ambulance chasers (both from the members of the bar, PAs & IAs), and some aggressive 'marketing' by PAs, or anyone else looking for 'their piece' of the action; but I cann't follow your 3rd last and 2nd last paragraphs.
I know some PAs use scanners (but so do some day to day IAs), but I have never been aware of a PA and a solicitor being in 'cahoots'; nor of the splits you mention. In fact, from a competitive basis, I've witnesses quite an animosity between PAs and lawyers; much the same as para legals vs lawyers.
Can you or others elaborate on this? |
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 21:04:04
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| Clayton, when Dave uses the word 'solicitors' I think he is referring to the term used in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York (and perhaps other states) for 'runners', who are individuals who make a living soliciting business and claims for Public Adjusters for a percentage of the overall fee or 'take'. Perhaps Dave or Bill Cook can correct me if I am wrong. |
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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 21:11:28
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CCarr, your question about using a PA or an attorney to resolve claims issues is a good one. I've been stratching my head for 10 minutes.
On planet Perfect World, both would be knowledgable of the claims process. The PA would probably have more "hands on" construction experience or education, although some law firms have construction specialists on staff. Hmmmmmmmm.
The only thing about using an attorney, and this may not be the case everywhere, is that NOTHING gets done in a hurry. If you are looking for quick relief of your nightmare claim, that may not be your answer. On the flipside, most PAs are eager to meet with you. ?????????
Give me yours or someone else's opinion. I may have to have a latenight cup of java to jar my insight loose.
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 21:14:42
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Memo to CatDaddy: I did not take your comment personally nor did I intend mine to be personal either.
I rather suspect that you and I share the same disdain for incompetent and unethical adjusters, carriers, contractors, attorneys and public adjusters.
My only reason for posting the comment was that I felt it was not relevant to the pain and suffering that this insured suffered as a result of adjusters and/or a carrier not fulfilling the obligations due under an insurance contract.
I am saddened when I hear stories such as 'Writer' has posted, as I am sure you are as well, and it just seems such a shame that the extra expense of a Public Adjuster or Lawyer should have to reduce even further the pittance paid by an entity believing that might makes right.
Maybe you and I need to open a PA firm together and knock 'em dead!
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 21:14:43
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| Deleted By Author As A Duplicate Of Prior Post. |
Edited by - JimF on 03/13/2003 21:16:46 |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 21:18:33
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Yes Jim, in my pea brain trying to make sense of it, I never thought of that. I don't doubt now, that is it for sure. Thanks.
The term in my mind for that is a 'schill', and they are slick - over the years I've witnessed their 'smooth' super sell (mostly by a woman - 'motherly type') to the insured, putting outright fear in the minds of the insured's; being more successful 'woman' to Mrs. Insured, coming out with absolute horror stories about what happened to them in their 'fantasy' claim.
However, this 'schill' travels the trenches of disaster for many masters in what I have experienced - mostly for plaintiff lawyers on injury claims, followed by plaintiff lawyers or PAs after a commercial loss with large time element exposure (BI); and in fact some schills for contractors.
Quite a thing to see and hear on the rare occasion (you want to tell the schill to go away and eat dirt, but cann't because you haven't earned the respect and following trust yet from the insured), worse to hear about from the 'nice person' (schill) who got to the insured location before you and scared the hell out of them - they won't look you in the eye, they are afraid to shake your hand, just gone paranoid. But worst of all, is trying to counter that, before you even start anything else; it's a real tough up hill battle. |
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 21:23:42
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Oh Clayton, it's just all part of the game.
Now what was it that Shakespeare said about the stage? |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 21:25:33
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Isn't that a 'picture'!
Jim & Lannie, together hanging their shingle, outside their office. |
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 21:32:51
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"Hey CD we got a hot one here. An insured on the phone who says that Ol' Claytie Carr is his adjuster. You want this one or should we tag team him?"
"In any event, call your wife and tell her she can go ahead and buy the new Jaguar." |
Edited by - JimF on 03/13/2003 21:37:58 |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 21:36:04
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Lannie, I'm kind of stuck on who I would pick, within the parameters I created.
I've never witnessed a lawyer in a hurry, they seem to have trouble not 'talking down' to people lower on the food chain; and they can get mired in the small print.
I guess, if I was comfortable the PA could comfortably deal with both the construction aspects, and coverage issues; while showing some thirst to get on with it, and didn't treat me like an idiot - I would go with the PA.
However, if I made that choice, and things progressed well, but to the point of the carrier representative (staff or IA) just not agreeing or being able to be convinced of a coverage issue; the PA can only do so much before he comes to a line in the sand.
If the PAs only last resort for a position believed in, is to recommend litigation; doesn't that release him from the claim, and a plaintiff lawyer has to start from scratch? PAs must have a way to deal with this barrier? |
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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 22:05:14
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CCarr, you are going to be the VP of our Canadian operation. Ofcourse, Jim and I will have to put you through a pretty intense screening process first, but I am sure there will be no problems. You made it through Ghostbusters's tailfeather scorching and this wont be must worse than that.
Jim, I am sure you and I agree on lots of topics. A dislike for people who do not do their job? I have no patience for the type, none what so ever. I worked as a claim rep for a Division Manager that demanded speed and perfection. I ate alot of comfort food and lost alot of hair in the process but the experience made my files speak for themselves. In traveling all over the US and Canada working claims, I came to realize that not all areas of the country held their reps to the same standards that we operated under. It had to do with production mainly, not file standards. Every cat our teams traveled to, we did double what other teams did while having the lowest of reopen percentages. I kinda developed a bad taste in my mouth for those who do not do a full days work and do not take their responsibilities as seriously as I did. (I have an appointment with Tony Saprano's therapist next Wednesday to get help.)
I enjoy helping people these people(humming the company song)and I love going behind lazy adjusters and resolving complaints. It gives me satisfaction and revenge at the same time. (Dont worry, my therapy session is a full hour.)
No one should have a bad claims experience. Its our job to make sure of that. I tell new adjusters that you have arrived at the next level when you can deny a claim and the insured is happy. Your explaination of the coverage should be just that good.
Sincerely,
CatDaddy
Vice President of Operations
Bad Faith Investigations
1-800-wegotcha
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Edited by - CatDaddy on 03/13/2003 22:07:39 |
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 22:10:31
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Oh Cat Daddy, you are such a flatterer.
Please tell 'Baby Doll' to go ahead and buy the mink coat too! Make sure it matches the Jag! |
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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 22:11:28
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We will definitely have to tag team Mr. C. We will start with "good cop, bad cop" and move to bamboo under the fingernails. We'll break him.
Jags will be our company cars!
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 22:13:44
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| Ok, that works for me as long as I get to play bad cop! (My specialty actually). |
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Public Adjusters.......who needs them?
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