Author Archives: James H. Bushart

Hail Damage Insurance Claim Missouri

April 7, 2026 By in Property Insurance Leave a comment

Missouri

Missouri is one of the most hail-prone states in the country. Every spring and summer, severe storms damage roofs, siding, gutters, windows, and HVAC equipment. Hail claims are also among the most frequently disputed by insurance companies.

If your hail damage claim has been denied, underpaid, or attributed to wear and tear, you have the right to challenge that — and I can help.

Free hail damage claim review: 314-803-2167

Why Hail Claims Are So Often Disputed

Cosmetic damage exclusions — Some Missouri policies let insurers deny claims for dented gutters or siding. Whether this applies depends on your specific policy language.

Roof depreciation — Insurers apply heavy depreciation to older roofs. With RCV coverage this may be inappropriate; even ACV depreciation calculations can be contested.

Wrong storm date — Insurers sometimes attribute damage to a storm outside your coverage period. Correlating damage with storm data is standard in my review process.

Missed damage — Gutters, downspouts, siding, skylights, AC units, decks, and outbuildings are frequently missed in initial estimates.

What to Do After a Hail Storm

  1. Document everything before cleanup or repairs
  2. Keep all damaged materials until your claim is settled
  3. Save receipts for emergency repairs such as tarping
  4. Report your claim promptly
  5. Get an independent inspection before accepting any settlement
  6. Don’t sign a release until you’re confident it covers all losses

How I Help Missouri Homeowners

I’ve represented policyholders against Allstate, Nationwide, State Farm, Columbia Insurance, and others. I conduct independent inspections, pull storm data, review your policy, prepare damage estimates, and negotiate with your insurer. SCLA designation. Missouri-licensed since 2012.

No Recovery, No Fee

If I don’t recover more than the insurer’s offer, you owe nothing. Call today.

James H. Bushart, Licensed Missouri Public Adjuster
MO License #8207067 | SCLA | NAPIA
314-803-2167 | missouripublicadjuster.org

Insurance Claim Denied in Missouri? Here’s What to Do

April 7, 2026 By in Property Insurance Leave a comment

Not always the final answer.

 

Insurance companies deny and underpay claims every day in Missouri. If you’ve received a denial letter — or a settlement that doesn’t cover your losses — you’re not alone, and you’re not out of options.

As a licensed Missouri public adjuster, I represent policyholders in exactly this situation. My job is to review what happened, challenge what’s wrong, and negotiate the settlement you’re owed under your policy.

Call for a free claim review: 314-803-2167

Why Claims Get Denied in Missouri

Pre-existing damage — A common tactic after hail and wind storms. Often rebutted with documentation and independent inspection.

Wear and tear — Insurers use this to avoid paying for damage that should be covered. There’s a significant difference between normal aging and storm damage.

Misapplied exclusions — Insurance companies sometimes apply policy exclusions too broadly or in ways that contradict your actual coverage.

Missed damage — Damage to ceilings, siding, gutters, HVAC, and outbuildings is frequently overlooked or undervalued.

Late reporting — Sometimes used as grounds for denial even when the policy language doesn’t clearly support it.

What a Public Adjuster Can Do

Here’s what I do when I take your case: review your policy line by line; conduct an independent inspection; prepare a detailed claim package; negotiate directly with the insurer; and represent you through the appraisal process if necessary.

I hold the SCLA designation, I’m a member of NAPIA, and I’ve been representing Missouri policyholders since 2012.

No Upfront Cost

I work on contingency. You pay nothing unless I recover more than the insurance company has already offered. No risk in calling.

Don’t Wait — Deadlines Apply

Missouri insurance policies have strict time limits for disputing denials. Contact me as soon as possible after receiving a denial or low settlement offer.

James H. Bushart, Licensed Missouri Public Adjuster
MO License #8207067 | SCLA | NAPIA Member
314-803-2167 | missouripublicadjuster.org

Missouri Storms Are Here: Your Home and Your Insurance Claim

April 7, 2026 By in Property Insurance Leave a comment

 

 

Are you ready?

 

Spring and summer bring severe weather to Missouri with little warning. Tornadoes, hail, high winds, and heavy rain can cause serious damage to your home in a matter of minutes. But surviving the storm is only half the battle. What comes next — filing an insurance claim and actually getting paid fairly — can be just as challenging.

Here’s what every Missouri homeowner should do now, before the first storm of the season arrives.

Step 1: Document Your Property Before Any Damage Occurs

The single most important thing you can do before storm season is to create a thorough record of your home’s current condition. Walk through every room with your phone and record a video. Open closets, document appliances, capture your roof, siding, windows, fencing, and outbuildings. Store that video somewhere off your property — a cloud service, an email to yourself, or a USB drive kept at work.

Why does this matter? When you file a storm damage claim, your insurance company’s adjuster will look for reasons to minimize the payout. Pre-

existing conditions, prior damage, and normal wear and tear are common reasons claims get reduced. A time stamped video taken before the storm removes all doubt about what your property looked like beforehand.

Step 2: Know Your Policy Before You Need It

Most homeowners have never read their insurance policy. That’s understandable — they’re long, complicated documents written in language that’s hard to follow. But there are a few things worth knowing right now, before a storm forces you to figure it out under pressure:

  • What is your deductible? Many Missouri policies have a separate, higher deductible specifically for wind and hail damage. It may be a percentage of your home’s insured value rather than a flat dollar amount.
  • Do you have Replacement Cost Value (RCV) or Actual Cash Value (ACV) coverage? RCV pays to replace damaged items at today’s prices. ACV deducts for depreciation — meaning you may receive far less than it costs to actually repair or rebuild.
  • Are there any exclusions that apply to your property? Flood damage, for example, is almost never covered under a standard homeowner’s policy.

If you’re not sure what your policy says, call your agent now and ask them to explain it in plain language. Better to understand it today than to be surprised after a loss.

Step 3: After the Storm — Take Your Own Documentation Seriously

If your property is damaged, document everything before any cleanup or repairs begin. Photograph and video every area of damage. Don’t throw anything away. Keep all receipts for emergency repairs, such as tarping a damaged roof.

Contact your insurance company promptly to report the claim, but understand that the adjuster they send works for — or on behalf of — your insurance company. Their job is to evaluate the claim. Your job is to make sure the evaluation is accurate and fair.

Step 4: Don’t Accept the First Number Without Scrutiny

Insurance companies handle thousands of claims after a major storm event. Under that kind of volume, mistakes happen — and they rarely happen in the policyholder’s favor. Damage gets missed. Repair costs get underestimated. Depreciation gets applied in ways that aren’t justified by your policy.

Before you sign anything or accept a settlement, make sure you understand exactly what it covers and whether it’s enough to restore your property to its pre-storm condition. If the numbers don’t add up, or if your claim has been denied outright, you don’t have to accept the insurance company’s first — or final — word.

You Have the Right to Representation

Just as the insurance company has adjusters working for them, you have the right to have a licensed professional working for you. A public adjuster represents you — not the insurance company — in the claims process. We review your policy, document your damage, and negotiate on your behalf to make sure you receive what you’re owed under your coverage.

I offer a free review of any storm damage claim. If I don’t recover more than the insurance company has offered, you owe me nothing.

Missouri storm season doesn’t wait. The best time to prepare is now — before the damage is done and the clock is ticking on your claim.

James H. Bushart, Licensed Missouri Public Adjuster — MO License #8207067
314-803-2167 | missouripublicadjuster.org

Can You Expect an Unbiased Report from Your Insurance Company’s Engineer?

March 23, 2026 By in Property Insurance Leave a comment
Future financial consideration.
Realistically, a policyholder should not expect an unbiased report from an engineer hired by their insurance provider. While these professionals are theoretically supposed to act as neutral third parties, the reality of the industry creates a systemic bias that overwhelmingly favors the insurance company.
The Economic Conflict of Interest The primary driver of this bias is the financial relationship between the engineering firm and the insurer. For many specialized forensic engineering firms, insurance companies represent the overwhelming majority of their revenue stream. Because the insurer acts as the paymaster, the engineer often functions more like a “hired gun” tasked with finding technical justifications to minimize or deny claim payouts. If an engineer consistently provides honest reports that force an insurer to pay out large claims, they risk being removed from the insurer’s “approved” list and losing future business. Consequently, when the cause of damage is ambiguous, these engineers will typically default to a “tie-breaker” conclusion that supports the insurer.
Secret Alterations and “Peer Reviews” Even when a field engineer conducts a fair inspection and writes an unbiased report, the insurance company or engineering firm may secretly alter it before the policyholder ever sees it . Following major disasters like Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Ian, whistleblowers and court investigations exposed a practice where initial reports confirming storm damage were systematically rewritten during a “peer review” process. Managers or desk adjusters—who had never visited the property—would delete the original engineer’s findings and falsely attribute the damage to uncovered exclusions, such as long-term deterioration or soil settlement. In one instance following Hurricane Ian, an adjuster testified that 44 out of 46 of his reports were altered to reduce the policyholders’ payouts, sometimes by as much as 98 percent.
Mirrorring and Boilerplate Language Reports generated by insurer-retained engineers often contain language designed specifically to inextricably dovetail with the insurer’s policy exclusions.
  • Rebranding Damage: Engineers will frequently classify obvious, catastrophic structural damage as merely “aesthetic” or “cosmetic” to trigger policy limitations and avoid paying for full repairs.
  • Lack of Science: Many of these reports rely on generic, boilerplate templates that are devoid of actual scientific calculations, relying instead on pre-written phrases that blame the damage on “wear and tear” or “maintenance neglect” regardless of the actual evidence.
Plausible Deniability Ultimately, insurance companies utilize these biased engineering reports to establish “plausible deniability”. By hiring a licensed engineer, the insurance company can officially blame the denial of a claim on an “independent” technical expert, rather than admitting it is an internal corporate decision to save money.
Because of this well-documented, systemic bias, industry experts strongly advise policyholders not to rely on the insurance company’s engineer. Instead, policyholders should thoroughly scrutinize any denial report and consider hiring their own independent public adjusters, structural engineers, or legal counsel to provide a truly objective assessment of the damage and … whatever you do … do NOT insist that your insurance carrier obtain an engineer’s inspection report of your damage. If you believe one is necessary, arrange it yourself.

 

Exposing Bias in Insurance Forensic Engineering Reports

March 18, 2026 By in Property Insurance Leave a comment

 

The Hired Gun

 

When you suspect a biased forensic engineer is helping an insurance company wrongfully deny a claim, you should scrutinize the engineer’s credentials, the procedures they used, the specific language in their report, and their professional history.

Here are the key red flags and areas to investigate:

1. Report Language and “Peer Review” Alterations

  • Policy-Mirroring Language: Check if the wording of the engineering report inextricably dovetails with the insurance company’s specific exclusionary or limiting policy language. This often indicates an outcome-oriented report designed specifically to trigger a denial.
  • “Peer Review” Changes: Be aware that some reports are altered during a “peer review” process. There are documented instances where an engineering firm’s account manager or reviewer changed the original engineer’s conclusions to favor the insurance company client and lower the payout.
  • Exclusivity Clauses: Look for small print stating that the report is only for the benefit and use of the insurance company.
  • Invalid Disclaimers: Watch for boilerplate disclaimers refusing to certify printed or electronic copies (e.g., claiming the report is invalid without a “wet stamp”). Under state laws like Missouri’s, an engineer must seal all final technical submissions, and properly sealed electronic copies are legally valid; refusing to certify them is a violation.

2. Licensing and Expertise Discrepancies

  • Mismatched Expertise: Look up the engineer’s license at the state level to verify their specific area of expertise. For example, ensure a computer or electrical engineer is not making structural engineering opinions. Engineers are ethically and legally mandated to perform services only in areas where they are qualified by education, training, and experience.
  • Corporate Authorization: Check if the engineer is actually authorized to work for the company whose name is stamped on the report. If they are not authorized by the state to operate under that firm, it can invalidate the entire report. Additionally, check if the firm has listed its required Corporate Certificate of Authority (COA) number on the title block or signature line.
  • Out-of-State Seals: Ensure the engineer used a valid seal for the state where the property is located, rather than applying an out-of-state seal.

3. Lack of “Immediate Personal Supervision” Investigate who actually performed the physical inspection. A major red flag is when an unlicensed assistant, field technician, or “home inspector” conducts the site visit, evaluates the damage, and takes notes, while the licensed engineer merely signs the final report from a desk. State regulations strictly require engineers to provide “immediate personal supervision,” meaning they must personally direct, oversee, inspect, and observe the work to maintain control over the decisions and conclusions being sealed.

4. Contradictions and Falsified Data

  • The “Red Pen” Test: Go through the report and mark patently false statements, comparing them against your own photographic evidence or scientific documentation (such as thermal imaging or ruler measurements). If you find numerous false claims (e.g., claiming “no damage” next to a photo showing obvious damage), it strongly suggests the professional is intentionally misleading for the insurer’s benefit.
  • Drastically Downgraded Estimates: Look for extreme discrepancies between repair estimates, such as a contractor’s $60,000 estimate being downgraded to $3,000 by the insurer’s vendor.
  • Shifting Standards: Compare the engineer’s past reports, if possible. You may find instances where an engineer contradicts their own standards (e.g., stating in one report that hail spatter evidence lasts 1-2 years, but claiming it lasts 2-3 years in another report to justify denying a claim).

5. The Engineer’s History and Financial Pressures

  • Financial Bias: Forensic engineering is a highly lucrative business tied to the insurance industry. Experts who jump sides to provide honest opinions that force insurers to pay more often find themselves removed from the “approved” lists in claims offices. Because they rely on repeat business from insurers, there is immense mercantile pressure to provide incomplete, biased, or untrue testimony that advances the insurer’s interests.
  • Litigation and Disciplinary History: Research the expert’s background. Have they been challenged in court frequently? Have judges refused to allow their testimony? Obtain their prior depositions to look for patterns of bias. Furthermore, check the state engineering board’s records for disciplinary actions. For example, firms have been placed on probation by state boards for issuing reports to insurance companies that failed to meet professional standards and violated professional trust.

What You Can Do: If you uncover these red flags, document the true conditions thoroughly. Engineers are bound by a Code of Professional Conduct to protect the public welfare, and this duty cannot be compromised by the self-interest of their client. You can file a formal complaint with the state’s engineering licensing board, which has the authority to discipline or revoke licenses for fraud, deceit, or incompetence. Additionally, policyholders and their attorneys are increasingly filing lawsuits directly against offending forensic engineers for fraud, defamation, and abuse of legal process to combat this egregiously mercantile use of the engineering profession.

For more information about how to move your insurance claim forward, contact a licensed public adjuster.

Does Your Insurance Provider Pay Claims?

October 23, 2025 By in Property Insurance Leave a comment

Not always the final answer.

In a bombshell report spotlighted by Amy Bach, Executive Director of United Policyholders, the Consumer Federation of America has pulled back the curtain on Allstate’s 2024 antics. Picture this: The insurance giant hiked home insurance premiums by a whopping 10% across the board—squeezing everyday families already grappling with inflation and rising costs. Yet, in the same breath, they handed their CEO a jaw-dropping $10 million raise. That’s not pocket change; that’s enough to cover premiums for 10,000 households for a year!
But wait, it gets worse. According to Weiss Ratings, a trusted financial watchdog, Allstate slammed the door on 49% of property insurance claims filed that year—without a single dime going to the policyholders who paid up faithfully. Homeowners hit by storms, fires, or floods? Left high and dry. It’s a stark reminder that when disaster strikes, your “trusted” insurer might prioritize executive perks and shareholder dividends over your actual protection.
This isn’t just Allstate’s dirty secret—it’s a wake-up call for all of us. As renewal season looms, don’t hit “renew” on autopilot. Dig deeper. Ask: Does this company have a track record of honoring claims, or are they masters at creative denials? Tools like Weiss Ratings or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) can reveal complaint ratios, payout histories, and financial health. Compare policies side-by-side: Coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions aren’t one-size-fits-all. A shiny ad campaign doesn’t mean reliability.
Remember, insurance is your safety net, not a profit machine. Allstate’s moves beg the question: Are they insuring you… or just cashing your checks? The data’s out there—free, public, and eye-opening—if you’re willing to look beyond the sales pitch.
All policies aren’t equal. All companies aren’t equal. Buyer beware: Your home, your future, your fight. Shop smart, demand better, and protect what’s yours.

Have You Underinsured Your Home?

October 19, 2025 By in Property Insurance Leave a comment

Not enough insurance to pay for the repairs.

When securing homeowners’ insurance, a common pitfall is basing coverage on your mortgage balance rather than the true cost to rebuild your home. What we are talking about here is purchasing a home for $200,000 and insuring it for $200,000. While the mortgage reflects what you owe the lender—often tied to the home’s depreciated market value—it ignores the escalating realities of reconstruction.
Replacement cost coverage promises to pay for the expense to rebuild your home from scratch using current materials and labor rates, excluding land value, but only up to the amount you insured it for. This distinction is crucial for financial protection in disasters like fires, storms, or earthquakes.
Consider the risks of underinsuring via mortgage amount. Construction costs have surged globally; U.S. building material prices rose over 20% from 2020 to 2023 due to supply chain disruptions and inflation. If your $300,000 mortgage-insured home burns down, but rebuilding demands $450,000, you’d face a $150,000 shortfall. Insurers will cap payouts at policy limits, leaving you to fund the rest—potentially forcing a smaller, substandard rebuild or outright financial strain. In extreme cases, this gap could lead to bankruptcy or relocation, eroding the very security homeownership promises.
Opting for replacement cost insurance in the amount it will take to replace at least 80% of the home mitigates these threats. It ensures full reimbursement for repairs or reconstruction, factoring in code upgrades (e.g., modern seismic standards) and debris removal—expenses often overlooked and not always included in a standard policy. 
Policies sometimes include inflation guards to adjust limits annually, keeping pace with rising costs. Homeowners who insure adequately report faster recoveries and less stress post-claim; studies from the Insurance Information Institute show underinsured claims average 30% higher out-of-pocket losses.
To determine your replacement cost, consult an appraiser or use insurer calculators, which consider square footage, materials, and local rates. While premiums may edge higher (often 10-20%), the investment pales against potential ruin.
Ultimately, insuring for rebuild cost isn’t just prudent—it’s essential for preserving your home as a resilient asset, not a depreciating liability.
Prioritize it and sleep soundly knowing your sanctuary is truly secured.

The Engineer Who Lied in His Report to the Insurance Company

November 5, 2024 By in Property Insurance Leave a comment

The Great Insurance Deception: A Tale of Truth Over Treachery

Picture this: a bone-chilling winter in Northern Missouri, 2024, where the mercury plummeted below 20 degrees. Martin Black, a savvy homeowner, got a frantic call about his weekend retreat—a stunning house he’d poured his heart and ingenuity into designing. Water was gushing out, transforming his sanctuary into a soggy disaster. By the time Martin raced across state lines, his friend had shut off the water, but the damage was done: floors, walls, ceilings—ruined, with losses soaring past $80,000.
Enter the insurance company, the supposed safety net. They sent an adjuster, who prowled the wreckage like a detective on a mission, fixated on finding a burst pipe to pin the blame. She scoured the water lines, snapped photos, and vanished. Days later, she halted the cleanup crew, leaving Martin in limbo. Calls went unanswered, emails ignored. Desperate, Martin called in a secret weapon: me, a public adjuster with a knack for cracking tough cases. (Names are changed here, folks—insurance companies don’t take kindly to their dirty laundry being aired.)
This is the story of how an insurance adjuster, armed with a biased engineer, tried to swindle a deserving policyholder—and how we turned the tables.

The Setup: A Policyholder’s Nightmare

When I stepped in, the adjuster was dodging me too, flouting state laws requiring a response within ten days. A quick complaint to the Department of Insurance lit a fire under her, and she grudgingly sent over Martin’s policy. Buried in the fine print was a clause: Martin had to use “reasonable care” to keep his home above 55 degrees. Reasonable care? Martin was practically a heating wizard. His custom-built home boasted a radiant in-floor electric system, a gas backup for power outages, and insulation that could make an igloo jealous. He even controlled the thermostat via a phone app that pinged him if the temperature dipped. Negligence? Not a chance.
But the insurance company wasn’t playing fair. After months of stalling—pushing a February flood inspection to the cusp of July 4th—they brought in their ace: a licensed engineer, handpicked to bolster their case. I’d seen this playbook before. Engineers hired by insurers often craft reports that twist facts to favor their paymasters. So, I advised Martin to steer clear during the inspection. Why? Because these engineers love to spin your words into traps, focusing on refuting you rather than analyzing the actual damage.

The Sting: Lies and Fabrications

The engineer called me for basic site details, knowing Martin wouldn’t be there. I kept it short and sweet, unaware that our chat was about to become exhibit A in his deception. When his report dropped, it was a masterclass in fiction. He claimed Martin’s home had no permanently installed heating system—a bald-faced lie, given the radiant floors and backup gas system the adjuster herself had photographed. Worse, he attributed false statements to me, claiming I’d fed him disqualifying info to justify denying the claim. Lucky for us, I’d recorded our call (perfectly legal in our states, as long as one party—me—knows it’s being taped). His so-called “facts”? Pure fabrication.
The insurance company, armed with this sham report, denied Martin’s claim. But they underestimated their opponent.

The Counterstrike: Truth Prevails

I hit back hard, sending the insurer undeniable proof: photos of the heating system their engineer conveniently “missed” and a digital recording of our call, exposing his lies. The evidence was ironclad. After a quick huddle with their lawyer, the company caved, paying Martin for his loss. But I wasn’t done. I filed a complaint with the state engineering board, complete with the damning recording. As of now, that engineer’s license hangs in the balance, under investigation for bias and incompetence.

The Moral: Trust, but Verify

Here’s the takeaway: an engineer hired by an insurance company isn’t your friend. They’re paid to tilt the scales, and their future gigs depend on pleasing the insurer. Don’t be there when they inspect. Don’t give them ammo to twist. Let the damage speak for itself. And if you smell a rat, call in someone like me—because sometimes, the only way to beat a rigged game is to rewrite the rules.
This tale is true, and the fight for justice never stops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does Your Insurance Provider Think You’re Stupid?

August 30, 2024 By in Property Insurance Leave a comment

 

 

Have you ever felt like your insurance provider is keeping you in the dark about your coverage? They might be banking on your lack of knowledge.

It’s crucial to understand that your insurance policy is more than just a piece of paper. It’s a contract of significant value, potentially worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.  Were you given the chance to review this contract before agreeing to it?    In most cases, the answer is no. You might not have even received a copy of the contract until a month after it took effect.

When you received your insurance contract, did you take the time to understand what it covers and the conditions of the coverage?  Did you spot the potential ‘landmines’ that could lead to coverage denials?  Did you educate yourself on what’s expected of you before and after filing a claim?  If you are like most policyholders, you did not.  However, knowing and understanding how to successfully file a claim can also present you with issues.

My certification as a Senior Claims Law Associate required me to study many of the same materials and information provided to insurance company adjusters who handle claims on behalf of the insurance provider.  Those studies included the identification and investigation of insurance fraud.  I was surprised to learn that insurance adjusters are taught “Fraud Indicators” that include, as an indication of possible fraud, “An insured or claimant that is familiar with the claims process.”

Knowing your rights under the contract that was withheld from you before purchase, provided a month or more after it took effect, and never revealed to you in any detail before attempting to know and understand it on your own can be interpreted by your insurance adjuster as an indicator of fraud.  Not only do they appear to be counting upon your lack of knowledge about your insurance coverage – any signs of knowledge or familiarity with the claims process is (in their mind) suspicious.

As you navigate an insurance claim on your own, remember this: don’t hesitate to seek assistance from a licensed public adjuster or attorney when an insurance adjuster pushes back. You don’t have to face this process alone.

 

 

 

State Farm v. Their Missouri Policyholders

August 2, 2024 By in Home Owner Insurance Issues, Property Insurance Leave a comment

“No one is listening to me!”

State Farm policyholders in Missouri who feel ‘gaslighted have increasingly contacted me’ for assistance after filing an insurance claim. This mistreatment distresses them and undermines their trust in the insurance system. I receive complaints from policyholders from all insurance companies operating in Missouri, but those from State Farm have risen sharply.

Bordering Missouri in nearby Oklahoma, the state’s Attorney General is investigating an alleged scheme to defraud policyholders.

“In 2020, State Farm arbitrarily set a goal of reducing payments on wind and hail claims by 50%, Whitten Burrage petitions said. Wildly successful, the wind-hail initiative earned State Farm hundreds of millions in Oklahoma and billions beyond, the firm’s attorneys said in court. From 2020 to 2023, dozens of policyholders filed suit when claims were denied. Whitten Burrage represented 125 cases that settled for sometimes shocking amounts, well beyond the value of the homes at issue. Even as it controlled 30% of the homeowners market in Oklahoma — making it a potential oligopoly — State Farm paid secret settlements on every one of the 125 cases that kept the nature of the alleged scheme secret. Just one of the cases settled for $3 million.” Read the full article here and ask yourself why an insurance company would not do in Missouri what it has (up to now) successfully achieved in a neighboring state.

Missourians complain that State Farm has ignored their telephone calls and emails and left their claims open, underpaid, or unpaid for months. When true, these actions violate the rules and regulations set by the Missouri Department of Insurance.

State Farm didn’t always treat its Missouri customers with such disrespect. Perhaps this is a temporary problem that is being resolved, but unpaid and underpaid policyholders need cooperation and help today.

Claims adjusters at all insurance companies must return to their duty of finding coverage and paying covered claims. Until they do, policyholders must assert their rights and know when and how to stand up and be heard by their insurance company. This will give them the confidence to navigate this situation.

What To Do

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