Surely, you’ve seen or heard the advertisements…insurance companies promising a pain-free, even pleasant, claims experience. A sprinkling of humour and relatability creates a sense of comfort that we are in good hands during challenging times.
Unfortunately, if you’ve been through a claim recently, you may feel as though you’ve travelled that road that’s “paved with good intentions” — if you know, you know.
At Gifford Carr, our team is here to help navigate when things don’t go quite as smoothly as promised.
A Real Claim Story
Imagine receiving a call from your son or daughter, they’ve hit a deer and likely totaled the car. Thankfully, no one was injured.
The claim is reported. An Adjuster and Appraiser are assigned. A rental vehicle is arranged. Within eight business days from the date of the accident, a total loss settlement offer is made by the Insurer. By all accounts, this is truly an outstanding claims response.
Except…
Our client was interested in exploring the option of retaining the ‘totaled’ vehicle and having it repaired. They were in a unique position to feasibly do this, as their employer owned a full-service garage.
In the haste of processing the total loss, the Insurer had the vehicle towed to the salvage yard before any conversation took place about the client’s options. When we raised the question with the Adjuster, we were told it was not possible.
We knew better, and that’s when we stepped in to advocate for our client.
Meanwhile, the clock was ticking on the rental car allowance, and costs were adding up for additional towing and logistics to bring the vehicle back for inspection.
What followed was a chain of conversations, negotiations, and a few extra tow-truck trips, all leading to our client exercising their rights, making an informed decision, and reaching a fair settlement.
In the end, the vehicle was still declared a total loss, but the Insurer ultimately ended up spending more money and time on the claim than if clear communication had occurred with our client from the start.
It took a deep knowledge of the policy terms, a clear understanding of our client’s needs, and unwavering persistence to achieve a fair result.
The GC Way
At Gifford Carr, this is The GC Way. We stand beside our clients, not just when the policy is written, but when it matters most. Whether your claim is simple or complex, we guide you step by step, from reporting the loss, through investigation and damage evaluation, to a transparent settlement.
Because we believe insurance isn’t just about coverage, it’s about trust, clarity, and advocacy. With every claim, we bring deep knowledge, clear communication, and a client-first mindset to ensure your experience is as smooth as possible.
