Farmer’s Insurance Group is a subsidiary of Zurich Insurance Group a 400-billion-dollar company. Other divisions of the company include: 21st Century Insurance, Foremost Insurance, Farmers Life, Bristol West Insurance, Farmers Insurance Exchange, and Mid-Century Insurance Company, LLC are subsidiaries of Farmer’s Insurance Group. They are big and they know it. Farmer’s companies and Farmer’s claims adjusters have the resources to fight any Farmer’s Insurance claims at their disposal. Farmers Insurance is the third-largest private auto insurer in Texas behind State Farm Insurance and Progressive Insurance.
Mid-Century Insurance Claims
Mid-Century tends to be a provider of higher-line and higher-limit insurance. It is generally a Standard auto insurance policy. Usually, the policyholders have to have a better driving history and/or record. The limits may be much higher than the minimum limits if the policyholder chooses to purchase that type of coverage.
21st Century Insurance Claims
21st Century Insurance tends to be the lower or minimum limits insurance line. 21st Century is known for providing insurance policies to high-risk drivers and drivers with past driving issues. They sell policies directly to the customer online or via an app. They do not have stores where you can go in and speak to an agent. This also enables them to compete with lower-rate, non-standard insurance providers. If you get hit by someone with 21st Century Insurance, they are probably not carrying very high limits in coverage.
Farmers Claim Adjusting
Farmers Insurance Company was named number 7 on the 10 Worst Insurance Companies in America list by the American Association for Justice. In cases cited therein, Farmers was reported to have offered incentives to adjusters for low-balling claimants in their offers and dissuaded claimants from seeking auto accident attorneys. Keep in mind that Farmer’s adjusters work for the company, not for you. Their job, like any adjuster, is to avoid paying out any more than they have to on Farmer’s insurance claims. If any insurance adjuster asks you for a recorded statement you should seek legal advice beforehand.
Farmers Insurance Company is also known for its use of the infamous Colossus software to analyze Farmers Insurance claims. They are generally considered to use it more as a comparative tool or guideline than a hard-and-fast rule like some insurance carriers. However, you need to be aware that Colossus is a very picky piece of software that will simply ignore evidence if it is not documented in Colossus’ preferred way or coded properly in the medical billing records. This is why it is important that you hire an attorney who understands what Colossus allows and disallows if you want to have all of your damages considered.
How Does Farmers Insurance Company Calculate Pain and Suffering?
There is no set formula by which Farmers will always calculate pain and suffering. Farmers Insurance uses Colossus software to value cases including pain and suffering awards in many cases. It often feels like little to nothing because they typically audit the medical bills down to less than their actual cost. Getting them to pay more often requires you to come up with documentation that will make Colossus value your pain and suffering higher. Having an accident attorney who understands how Colossus works can be beneficial to you in documenting your pain and suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Farmers Insurance Claims
How Do I File a Farmers Auto Accident Claim?
There are four ways to file a Farmers Insurance claim after an auto accident:
- Call their 800 number and verbally open a claim. The Farmers Insurance claim number is 800 515 7406.
- Download the Farmer Insurance App from the Apple or Android App Store and file a claim through the app.
- Visit Farmers.com and click the “report a claim” button to start filing a claim.
- Hire an attorney to file your claim for you.
How Long Do I Have to File Lawsuit If Farmers Insurance Denys My Auto Accident Claim?
How long you have depends on whether you are filing a first-party vs. third-party insurance claim. If you are filing a first-party claim such as an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim, the claims you are likely to make fall under contract law. Unless the insurance agreement states otherwise, in Texas, there is a 4-year Statute of Limitations on adults filing a lawsuit. If you are filing against another driver’s insurance (third-party claim), then your claim is governed by tort law which is a 2-year Statute of Limitations for adults in Texas personal injury claims.
Why Is Farmers Insurance Offering Me Less Than My Medical Bills?
There are several reasons why Farmer’s Insurance may offer you less than the amount of your medical bills to settle your claim. Some of these are:
- Lack of immediate or consistent medical care
- Preexisting injuries
- Disputed liability
- Unresolved contributory negligence issues
- Poor injury documentation in the medical records
- Credibility issues.
How Long Does Farmer’s Insurance Have to Respond to a Demand Letter?
In a first-party claim, insurance companies generally have 15 days to respond to communications. In a third-party claim, Farmers have no set time limit in which they must respond absent your lawyer sending a Stowers Demand to the adjuster. There are circumstances in which it may be to your advantage not to send a Stowers Demand before trial and other’s when it is advantageous. Thus, you should discuss with your attorney whether a Stowers Demand is right in your case.
Tips for All Insurance Claims
In any insurance claim that you file against an auto insurance company, be aware that they are there to minimize the cost to them. Adjusters are often quite skilled at getting the unsuspecting accident victim to say inaccuracies about the case that can later be used to deny your medical bills and other damages. You should never give a recorded statement to an opposing driver’s insurance company without consulting a lawyer first. Call Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., for a free consultation on your auto claim today at 800-291-0111.