Do you hate your auto insurance company?  If you answered “yes,” read on…

The Hartford Financial Services Group (an auto insurance company) has just been dinged with a 15 million dollar settlement brought on by the Auto Body Association of Connecticut.  The settlement came about due to unfair practices which have allegedly continued unabated for years, namely the low balling of estimates and labor costs for repairs.  According to the AP:

The owners’ group said the insurer’s labor rates were artificially low and the company discouraged the use of independent appraisers in favor of its own appraisers, in order to control all aspects of car. [source]

In the interest of fighting automotive insurance companies, let me ask: Were you aware that it may often be in your own best interest to hire an appraiser on your own after an auto accident?  Just as the Auto Body Association of Connecticut found out, insurance companies often give the lowest rate possible for your vehicle, confident that you won’t do anything about it.  If you are looking for some tips to become savy about fighting an insurance claim, check out ehow’s article on the topic here.

Just like the Auto Body Association of Connecticut, you may come out on top if you have the right tools at your disposal to fight the insurers.  So read up, learn, and save yourself some heartache at the hands of the insurance companies!

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