Marsh Insurance dealings??? UPDATE

[Breezy]

I am having/have had a similar issue.
I was told to replace the lense. I am still waiting on my check. The lense has been replaced.
I got the run around too but I had to keep calling York to get answers. I am not a patient person but he was just slow as crap.
His answer to everything was, "I will email you here in a few with the info". And 1.5 later still no email. I will let you know if I ever get my check. I made my claim on June 10th.

[carrbowl]

I was worried that would happen...looks like I better put my patient hat on...

[porschelvr]

Just curious. How long have you been with Marsh? Just curious how long it takes to get a contract in their database.

[Breezy]

I have been with them right at a year. I believe I got the policy when we moved here which was a year ago today.

[carrbowl]

I have been with them for over a year......but they didn't do the policy correctly and it took them probably two months to catch their error and get everything straightened out. But the change in the policy was basically just changes in what was being covered, not the coverage itself.

[dhphoto]

Do we have anyone here that has had previous experience submitting claims with them? I'm curious to know if this is typical or not.

[Breezy]

I am on hold now as I am trying to get my underwater housing covered and find out where my check is.
Wish me luck lol.

Breezy added 85 Minutes and 31 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

I called marsh, they sent an email to York, no email to me yet nor a check.

[carrbowl]

When my last policy was updated, they used their letterhead to send me a note about the policy. I used that phone number to call the claims office (York). The number has been busy for an hour. so I called Marsh. The first time, I got hung up on. The second time, they let me know that number is not longer valid. The letter was dated May 27, 2009. She gave me the correct phone number. I called and the lady gave me my claims number and the claims representative. I said will he be contacting me, she asked me if I would like his phone number. ????????????? So of course I said yes. Called him and got his voice mail.

carrbowl added 138 Minutes and 39 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Well I feel fortunate. The claims guy called me back. Told me to send it in and see how much the repair is and we'd go from there...see if it is worthwhile to fix. Little frustrating no one could have said that last week?? But at least someone is talking now. Hope thinks continue to go well..

[Breezy]

glad he called you back Renae.
Is his name Ken?
I still haven't gotten my email. Go figure.

[carrbowl]

No I have Bob..

[porschelvr]

What a mess! Keep us updated. My policy is coming up due for payment. The outcome of your ordeal might strongly sway my decision.

[dhphoto]

Originally Posted by porschelvr

What a mess! Keep us updated. My policy is coming up due for payment. The outcome of your ordeal might strongly sway my decision.

This is kinda where I'm at too...

[Steelsun]

Maybe make a claim for lost revenue since it is taking them so long to process.

Also complain to the PPA and let them know how hard it has been to deal with the claim and companies.

[Teddington]

Renae, I don't have personal experience with the Marsh Program for photographers but I am familiar with the players:

Marsh is a broker (someone who obtains insurance for another person and supposedly represents the person, not the company) but they are very tight with their insurance carriers.

My understanding is that the policy is actually written by Lexington Insurance Company, a member of the AIG group. Now before you get your undies bunched, AIG's insurance group is completely liquid and probably kept their financial division afloat for longer than they should have but, my experience (and I worked for AIG claims for a short period) is that they are not the strongest customer service company around.

And when you refer to York, I'm guessing you're referring to York Claims
[ http://www.yorkclaims.com/YCS/ ]. If so, they are a big independent adjusting company that started in the northeast (where Marsh McClennan is located in NY and Lexington is also NE based) so they don't have policies - they have to get them from the company.

This is often not the most efficient (and often very overloaded/overworked) set up in insurance. Having said that, I'd be highly surprised if PPA would continue to endorse them if you experience is typical ... and if it is, then PPA needs to hear about it.

[carrbowl]

I'm wondering if my expectations were out of the norm. Those of you that do have PPA insurance did you get the impression that they understood photographers and that dealing with claims quickly was important because cameras are what make our business work? I'm just wondering if I pulled that out of the air, or if I was lead to believe that, or they really believe they are doing things quickly? And of course quickly is relative!!

carrbowl added 821 Minutes and 9 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

I can't seem to get a break!! I had the local camera shop look at my camera. He suggested I send it to Canon and get an estimate. He sent it last Friday..lense to one coast, camera to the other. They received the parts yesterday and although they have looked at it, they will not have the repair estimate until Monday. Two more days down the toilet...Didn't know how hard it was to live without my 24-70???