Encompass Insurance Claims

I have had several claims with Encompass and all of which have been settled satisfactorily;however, it is never possible to call a claim rep in Glens Falls and have them answer a telephone. This means that either they are overloaded--or they don't give a damn. I prefer to believe that it is the latter after having made more than 7 calls today. Granted--they called me three times--while I was in a hospital and had to deactivate my phone and told them sso in advance. If a real person does not answer a telephone--IT IS RUDE! So put that in your pipe and get rid of the automated crap. However, when your adjuster/claims rep gives you a direct line (518-761-4237) and it flips immediately to a voicemail for more than an hour--something is wrong! This has been my experience through several claims--perhaps we should start invoicing you for wasted time contacting your claims rep assigned to our claim.---There is never any problem in filing a clain--or in having our agent notified--or in starting remedial action--the problem exists in the Glens Falls Office and probably others where individuals control what they will do--because of lack of incentive!

I was involved in an auto accident late afternoon on a Friday. A vehicle moved from the right lane, across mine and stopped suddenly half in my lane and the turn lane. I barely tapped the other vehicle with my left front bumper and the other vehicles right rear bumper. I exited my vehicle and went to the passenger side. There were 2 small children in car seats that were not even awakened in the accident. There was a late teen female in the passenger seat and another female driver. I inquired as to their condition. All was well. I called 911 and was instructed to move my vehicle to the right and off the roadway. A county vehicle with yellow lights arrived and informed the other driver to also move to the right. When the officer arrived he DID NOT ISSUE ME A TICKET. He also was not able to obtain a statement from the driver because she COULD NOT SPEAK ENGLISH. I spoke with the encompass representative first thing Monday morning where I gave my statement. My case went to 3 different representatives until one told me that both females had medical bills. I asked how the agent knew this, and she said that she "just did", and refused to tell me how. Two days later, (45 days after the accident) I received a letter from an ambulance chaser attorney that I turned over to Encompass. I called a buddy that works in a claims department as an attorney and he said for as little damage as was done that Encompass would probably toss $500 at them and tell them to get lost. Well, it turned out to be $35, 000. $350 damage to a bumper of the other vehicles Honda Odassy mini-van and the rest to pain and suffering. I found this out by calling Encompass and finally got an answer. I called my agent who is supposed to be my advocate - wrong! All agents to is collect the money and give no service. I insisted that Encompass let the other party take me to court - a jury would have found in my favor (I had cell phone photos of the positions of the vehicles at the time of the accident - Encompass did not want to see them). Encompass said that the statement the other party gave was that they had been traveling in that lane for the last 3 miles. Encompass does not support their customers. My auto rates went up 37%, and my home insurance that is also with Encompass went up 15%. As soon as I find out who their biggest competition is... I am switching! I can not say any good things about encompass. They are rip-offs and do not look out for their insured. I have been with this same agent since 1976 - yep 33 years. There is NO loyalty in this industry.

Auto-Owners Insurance Company does not honor their contract of providing replacement coverage. My home was totally destroyed by fire December 22, 2000. Still waiting for settlement 81/2 years later! Due to their denials and legal delays, I still have not been able to have my home rebuilt. This is consistent with how they repeatedly do not settle claims. They have paid only one third of the estimated cost of having my home rebuilt. They have a documented pattern of not paying homeowner fire claims. Some claims taking as long as 11 years to settle! They have used numerous legal maneuvers to cause additional delay and expense. The pain and stress have taken a very high toll, All part of the strategy of how Auto-Owners Insurance Company handles their claims. A nightmare beyond belief. My life will never be the same as a result of the grief they have caused for me, and my family.

They are very difficult to work with. It seems as though they are trying to wear us down, so that we give up. I would not recommend them to anyone at this point.