Legal Question in Insurance Law in California

Re: Insurance giving me the run around

If you've done everything they've asked and the insurance company has not paid you for the car yet, get an attorney and look into suing them for bad faith.

Re: Insurance giving me the run around

Write a letter to the insurer and detail your story. Make sure everything you write is provably true - if you are not sure about something, don't write it.

Call the insurer first and get the name of the supervisor of theft losses, or the manager of the branch office handling the matter. Demand the claim be transferred to the San Francisco office of the insurer. Set yourself a time limit for the insurer to pay the claim. If they do not, get a lawyer. You are entitled to interest after 30days (generally that is the time limit in the policy) and possibly also to loss of use thereafter.

Do not handle this on the phone anymore, except to get the name(s) of the supervisor/manager. Get the same info for the San Francisco office, and send a copy of your letter to that person also. This should get some definitive response. I don't suggest threatening something you won't actually go ahead and do.

Finally, I assume you already have several appraisals/proof of what your car was worth when stolen. If not, you should get an auto trader and internet values. How can you demand payment if you don't know what you are entitled to?

Re: Insurance giving me the run around

The good thing is, you're in San Francisco, so you probably don't need a vehicle too much. Try finding a parking space!

Seriously, it's unconscionable to wait so long. Talk to a lawyer who could push this matter for you. Your insurance policy probably has an arbitration clause. The attorney could advise you whether to demand arbitration or go a step further. Good luck.