Photo by: N.L. Belardes
One Bakersfield Woman's Blog to Mankind
Monday, May 15, 2006
Navigating the Farmers Insurance National Domination Conglomerate
Once upon a time, before being rear-ended by a Sonnet and getting whiplash, I had never heard the phrase: “You can’t receive treatment and be paid for it too.” And the only thing I knew about Farmers Insurance was the check I wrote them every month.
“What do you mean I have to pay Farmers back for any medical bills they pay?” I said frustrated to James, the latest Farmers Insurance adjustor assigned to my medical claim.
“Well, you can’t receive treatment and be paid for it too.” James stated as if I understood what he was talking about.
“I don’t understand.” I said confused.
“Farmers is putting a lien on your medical settlement payment, you have to pay Farmers back any money it pays out on your medical bills.” James snidely replied.
“What the hell are insurance premiums for?” I asked annoyed.
“I don’t understand.” James said as if no one had asked him that question before.
“Well the reason you buy an insurance policy and pay insurance premiums is so that when you have a claim the insurance company will pay for the damages.” I explained as if this was new information.
“Yes, I understand that concept, but in California you can’t receive treatment and be paid for it too.” He explained.
“Then why the hell do I have insurance if I have to pay the insurance company back for my medical treatment out of my settlement?” I angrily asked.
“I know it’s frustrating but that’s how it works in California.” James placated.
“When you negotiate your settlement with the other party’s insurance you need to negotiate enough for yourself over and above what you have to pay Farmers back for the medical expenses they pay.” He continued.
“But the other party’s insurance company is Farmers too!” I exclaimed. “Can’t you settle that in house? Why do I have to pay the medical expenses back out of my settlement?”
“Because the two party’s policies are treated as separate entities. We have to treat the other party as if they were Allstate or State Farm.” James explained.
“Do you understand?” He asked.
“I think I have the gist of it.” I said annoyed.
“What happened to Alexis who I was dealing with before? Why are you now assigned to my claim?” I asked.
“She is still handling the reimbursement portion of your claim for your medical expenses, I’ve been assigned to handle subrogation for Farmers.” He explained.
“And the two hundred dollar check Alexis sent me for medical co-pays reimbursement generated your letter?” I asked trying to understand.
“Yes, that’s correct.” He said.
“So you’re the one I negotiate my settlement with?” I asked.
“No, I handle Farmers reimbursement. There’s another adjustor assigned to the settlement.” He stated giving me the name of the adjustor I would negotiate a settlement with.
Ugh! I sighed as I wrote down another adjustor’s contact information.
“Wouldn’t it be easier for one person to handle every aspect of my claim instead of Alexis in Utah, you in Washington, and now this Doris in Visalia, California?” I asked exasperated.
“And the person who took my claim information and arranged for repairs to my vehicle was in Kansas! And every letter I receive comes from Oklahoma!” I continued.
“Actually no. We each handle a different aspect of your claim. That’s the way its done in Farmers and it works well.” James proudly said.
“It seems ridiculous to me.” I said fed up.
“And very frustrating!” I added.
“I understand ma’am.” He placated.
Somehow I don’t think he does…
“Now when you’re all done receiving treatment and Farmers has paid all of your medical bills, you’ll negotiate a settlement with the other party’s policy and pay Farmers back for your medical bills.” He summed up.
“Ok, I understand Farmers’ process, but my health insurance is paying the medical bills, not Farmers.” I explained.
“Oh well that makes things more complicated.” He stated.
“Your health insurance will want to be paid back too.” He continued.
“I had my health insurance agent call PacifiCare and find out what the process is in an auto accident; and he was told that the doctors bill the health insurance because they have contracts with PacifiCare, and then when I’m released from treatment, PacifiCare will recover its expenses from Farmers.” I explained.
“PacifiCare could place a lien on your settlement too.” He then stated.
“But wouldn’t Farmers pay PacifiCare and then be reimbursed from my settlement?” I asked.
“It’s possible. You might want to hire an attorney to handle everything for you.” He replied.
“An attorney? Do you think I need an attorney?” I asked.
“I can’t advise you either way regarding an attorney. I can’t offer you legal advise. But if you hire an attorney, the attorney gets 1/3 of your settlement.” James in Washington informed me.
Ugh! Sigh!
“Ask me how bad my head and neck hurts!” I stated.
Navigating the Farmers Insurance national domination conglomerate is more painful than my whiplash!
“I’m sorry ma’am.” He apologized.
“I hope I’ve helped you understand how things work at least.” He continued.
After I hung up the phone with James in Washington I read Farmers motto on the bottom on his letter:
“Our goal is to provide you with the best possible service, including a clear understanding of your claims process and outcome, and to respond promptly to your inquiries.”
Gee, Farmers does a great job of providing a clear understanding of the claims process with four different adjustors from four different States assigned to my one medical claim and correspondence coming from yet another State. I would hate to be the IT guy that works on their national domination conglomerate network system!
Once upon a time, before being rear-ended by a Sonnet and getting whiplash, I had never heard the phrase: “You can’t receive treatment and be paid for it too.” And the only thing I knew about Farmers Insurance was the check I wrote them every month.
“What do you mean I have to pay Farmers back for any medical bills they pay?” I said frustrated to James, the latest Farmers Insurance adjustor assigned to my medical claim.
“Well, you can’t receive treatment and be paid for it too.” James stated as if I understood what he was talking about.
“I don’t understand.” I said confused.
“Farmers is putting a lien on your medical settlement payment, you have to pay Farmers back any money it pays out on your medical bills.” James snidely replied.
“What the hell are insurance premiums for?” I asked annoyed.
“I don’t understand.” James said as if no one had asked him that question before.
“Well the reason you buy an insurance policy and pay insurance premiums is so that when you have a claim the insurance company will pay for the damages.” I explained as if this was new information.
“Yes, I understand that concept, but in California you can’t receive treatment and be paid for it too.” He explained.
“Then why the hell do I have insurance if I have to pay the insurance company back for my medical treatment out of my settlement?” I angrily asked.
“I know it’s frustrating but that’s how it works in California.” James placated.
“When you negotiate your settlement with the other party’s insurance you need to negotiate enough for yourself over and above what you have to pay Farmers back for the medical expenses they pay.” He continued.
“But the other party’s insurance company is Farmers too!” I exclaimed. “Can’t you settle that in house? Why do I have to pay the medical expenses back out of my settlement?”
“Because the two party’s policies are treated as separate entities. We have to treat the other party as if they were Allstate or State Farm.” James explained.
“Do you understand?” He asked.
“I think I have the gist of it.” I said annoyed.
“What happened to Alexis who I was dealing with before? Why are you now assigned to my claim?” I asked.
“She is still handling the reimbursement portion of your claim for your medical expenses, I’ve been assigned to handle subrogation for Farmers.” He explained.
“And the two hundred dollar check Alexis sent me for medical co-pays reimbursement generated your letter?” I asked trying to understand.
“Yes, that’s correct.” He said.
“So you’re the one I negotiate my settlement with?” I asked.
“No, I handle Farmers reimbursement. There’s another adjustor assigned to the settlement.” He stated giving me the name of the adjustor I would negotiate a settlement with.
Ugh! I sighed as I wrote down another adjustor’s contact information.
“Wouldn’t it be easier for one person to handle every aspect of my claim instead of Alexis in Utah, you in Washington, and now this Doris in Visalia, California?” I asked exasperated.
“And the person who took my claim information and arranged for repairs to my vehicle was in Kansas! And every letter I receive comes from Oklahoma!” I continued.
“Actually no. We each handle a different aspect of your claim. That’s the way its done in Farmers and it works well.” James proudly said.
“It seems ridiculous to me.” I said fed up.
“And very frustrating!” I added.
“I understand ma’am.” He placated.
Somehow I don’t think he does…
“Now when you’re all done receiving treatment and Farmers has paid all of your medical bills, you’ll negotiate a settlement with the other party’s policy and pay Farmers back for your medical bills.” He summed up.
“Ok, I understand Farmers’ process, but my health insurance is paying the medical bills, not Farmers.” I explained.
“Oh well that makes things more complicated.” He stated.
“Your health insurance will want to be paid back too.” He continued.
“I had my health insurance agent call PacifiCare and find out what the process is in an auto accident; and he was told that the doctors bill the health insurance because they have contracts with PacifiCare, and then when I’m released from treatment, PacifiCare will recover its expenses from Farmers.” I explained.
“PacifiCare could place a lien on your settlement too.” He then stated.
“But wouldn’t Farmers pay PacifiCare and then be reimbursed from my settlement?” I asked.
“It’s possible. You might want to hire an attorney to handle everything for you.” He replied.
“An attorney? Do you think I need an attorney?” I asked.
“I can’t advise you either way regarding an attorney. I can’t offer you legal advise. But if you hire an attorney, the attorney gets 1/3 of your settlement.” James in Washington informed me.
Ugh! Sigh!
“Ask me how bad my head and neck hurts!” I stated.
Navigating the Farmers Insurance national domination conglomerate is more painful than my whiplash!
“I’m sorry ma’am.” He apologized.
“I hope I’ve helped you understand how things work at least.” He continued.
After I hung up the phone with James in Washington I read Farmers motto on the bottom on his letter:
“Our goal is to provide you with the best possible service, including a clear understanding of your claims process and outcome, and to respond promptly to your inquiries.”Gee, Farmers does a great job of providing a clear understanding of the claims process with four different adjustors from four different States assigned to my one medical claim and correspondence coming from yet another State. I would hate to be the IT guy that works on their national domination conglomerate network system!
There is a hilarity in the way you write about the tragedy of American society's world of red tape and insurance...
As your non-lawyer I advise you to stick it to them!
My girlfriend works for STATE FARM,.........maybe I should get it over with and kill her now.
You story is written well. Welcome to the world of Farmers Insurance Claims!
See Articles, Lawsuits, Ratings and complaints critical of Farmers Insurance Group.
Make sure to file a complaint with your Insurance Commissioner.
Good luck!
all insurances suck... car, medical, dental, vision, you name it... they all reel us in with one thing and stick it to us with another when we're at our worst and think they'll help us!
sue.
A.S. Ashley is hilarious
Farmers insurance are crooks who change the facts and leave out important details to their advantage. I am disabeled and my home was broken into and they denied my entire claim.