| I have talked to many people this past month and | | | | funds will just "come to them". That is never the |
| one theme was occurring over and over and that | | | | case. When people acquire a voluntary insurance |
| was in the area of claims for voluntary products. | | | | product, they need to understand how the policy |
| There are two main classes of people in this area. | | | | pays them and how to get those funds. The second |
| They are the ones who are thrilled with the claims | | | | issue that pops up is slow payments by the carrier. |
| response and then there are those who are unhappy. | | | | They filed their claim and they feel their check should |
| I started to ask myself what the difference in these | | | | be "in the mail" tomorrow. Unfortunately, these |
| people's experiences was and what I found was | | | | people were not properly educated and/or their |
| pretty simple. | | | | agent was not there to help them. When a claim is |
| Satisfied Group - The group that was satisfied had | | | | filed, the carrier must do its due diligence to be sure |
| gotten their funds from their policy in a rather quick | | | | there is no fraud involved and that the loss actually |
| fashion and had no issues in the timing or the amount | | | | occurred. That can take some time if doctors and |
| paid based on what the policy said it would do. These | | | | even clients are not quick to respond to |
| smooth claims come as a result of proper claim form | | | | communications by the carrier. |
| completion and good follow up to any inquiries the | | | | Want to stay in the Satisfied Group? Make sure to |
| carrier may need. Simply put, the key to a good | | | | keep your agent contact info handy when a claim |
| claims experience is to understand the process and | | | | need to be filed and be sure that your paperwork is |
| completing that process. | | | | in order. Your claims process should go as smoothly |
| Unhappy Campers - The first misnomer that these | | | | as taking the check to the bank. I am always a |
| people have is that the doctor or facility knows that | | | | phone call or an email away. |
| they have this voluntary coverage and that the | | | | |