By Joanna Walsh


Insurance adjusters and attorneys alike are well aware of the close relationship between insurance and the legal profession. In our sue-conscious society, it is necessary for both adjusters and lawyers to remain ever vigilant in being updated on current case law. In addition, they should both consider taking an online mediation training course, though adjusters may want to really focus on this furthering education alongside their yearly insurance license renewal.

For those who are unfamiliar, mediations are special meetings with the Judge where all parties to a lawsuit are required to appear and negotiate a fair settlement of the claim. Each party must be able to show that they have a vested, or financial interest in how the case comes out in the end. Taking these cases to trial is expensive, clogs the legal system, and involves a great deal of risk where the settlement is concerned.

When dealing with a member of the Lloyds Underwriting syndicate, the adjusters and attorneys are well aware that their job is basically disaster management, as Lloyds rarely fights an insurance claim. Their specialty is to cover risks that most insurance companies would regard as uninsurable, or too special or specific to place a value on. It is not uncommon for policy limits to be expended rather quickly.

Settling out of court is especially important when the case is being tried in a very liberal venue. Areas known as Blue States often make huge pay-outs to plaintiffs, allowing the liability limits of the insurance policies to be paid out very quickly so new Plaintiffs in the future are forced to sue the insured directly. Some of the more conservative venues openly frown upon this practice, and considerably more pressure to settle the case can be directed toward the Plaintiff.

In nearly all litigated cases, communication cannot be made directly with the Insured who has filed a lawsuit. However, the Adjuster, or Litigation Specialist, may speak to the Insured when he or she represents a third-party company. This means that they are not hired directly by the insurance company, but are a totally separate entity.

In such mediations, the control and authority held by the adjuster is equaled by the judge alone. These adjusters are able to lead the meeting, negotiate the best possible compromised settlement, and sometimes they even have the authority to issue the settlement check then and there. The whole premise behind mediations rather than hearings is to empower the parties involved to settle the matter immediately; thus avoiding additional fees and expenditures on expensive litigation.

While most adjusters do have a Bachelor degree, it is not generally required so long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have gotten an insurance adjuster license. To get this licensing, they must take a forty-hour insurance course and pass a state examination. Once these have been achieved, most adjusters will begin handling basic claims right away, and any of these claims can become a matter of litigation at any time.

One cannot stress the importance of these additional Internet courses for the attorneys. They might be familiar with mediations, working in conjunction with an insurance adjuster is very different. These two groups approach the handling of these cases in a different manner, and one must be able to practice insurance as well as law.




About the Author:



0 commentaires:

Enregistrer un commentaire

 
Network Marketing Secrets You May Not Know © 2013. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Blogger
Top