Blogging for Change

Insurance claims should be on your radar in 2017

by Zynda Sellers on
4/10/2017
in Personal Finance
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When the term “financial literacy” comes to mind, most people think of managing credit and debt, setting financial goals, or saving for retirement – which could be considered the “ABCs” of sound financial habits.

If that’s the case, what are the financial “XYZs”?

Financial Literacy Month is the perfect time to look at areas of personal finance many people don’t consider, and insurance is a prime example. Many recognize insurance as a necessary (and often required) service. But you might not have realized how insurance claims could significantly impact personal finances.

Consider this: about three-quarters of U.S. households live paycheck to paycheck. What’s more, according to a recent survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Oasis Financial, 62 percent of Americans don’t feel they have enough personal savings to handle the potential real-world monetary consequences of an accident (such as three months’ lost income). And, 73 percent agreed that the insurance claims process can drag on longer than expected.

These stats show just how damaging an accident can be. Many Americans might be surprised at the actual cost of a rainy day, and the first financial lifeline most turn to, insurance, may not always make you whole right away.

So, what are we to do?

Designating a portion of savings each month for emergencies is one easy step we can all take to prepare for unexpected events, such as an auto accident. These accidents often involve filing insurance claims, and you shouldn’t have to look up your coverage after the fact. We should all make a point to review all insurance policies on at least an annual basis, knowing how to file a claim and the extent of coverage.

In the event of an injury where another party is at fault, you may also want to seek out the advice of an attorney. Insurers often don’t pay out the full value of an insurance policy upfront. Instead, they may provide a lower offer immediately following an accident. Attorneys can help you assess the offer and advise whether you have a case for a larger payout.

Of course, in the event of an emergency, researching safe, alternative solutions to insurance claims settlements will also help avoid being left out in the cold. Many often turn to insurance as a first financial lifeline, but as we see above, it’s not always reliable or timely. Knowing the difference between financial services, like interest-bearing loans (which can harm credit ratings) or other funding sources that don’t incur more debt is also key.

By now, we should all have mastered the financial “ABCs.” It’s time we addressed areas of our finances that shield us from the unexpected.

For a deeper look at Americans’ outlook on insurance claims and emergency savings, below are full highlights from the Oasis-Harris Poll survey.

Emergency Savings Reality Check
Respondents were asked how strongly they agreed with a number of statements regarding their personal savings.

  • 62 percent say if they didn’t have income for three months, they would struggle to meet basic household needs—including 70 percent of women ages 18-44
  • Respondents aged 45-54 (likely peak earning years), were the least likely to say they have money saved for emergency situations
  • After personal savings, credit cards (which can plunge a person into debt) were the second most popular method to cover lost income (39 percent). 19 percent said they would cash out retirement funds, while 18 percent would take out a personal loan, and 15 percent would not pay bills and default.

Insurers Not Providing Shelter
Insurance claim settlements present another vital financial resource to fill the income void, but many respondents report a negative experience pursuing claims after an accident:

  • Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) agreed that insurance carriers often drag out the claims process, which delays compensation
  • 73 percent also agreed that insurance carriers often try to avoid paying the fair value of the claim

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Oasis Financial from November 9-11, 2016 among 2,108 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.

Tagged in Insurance, Disaster recovery, Navigating change

Zynda Sellers oversees MMI's security and compliance concerns as General Counsel.

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