ADVICE NEEDED

[TALLMAN]

I received a letter today from the vet I used in Smithfield TN that collected and stored much of my frozen semen. He informed me he had a semen tank failure that stored my semen and all were lost. He said he was sorry for my loss and will do his best to help me deal with the problem. He has insurance through AVMA. They have been contacted and an agent has been assigned to the claim. He is going to submit my name etc. and the amount of semen I lost in the next few days. He gave me the claims specialist name and claim number. He said the claims specialist will be contacting me personally to discuss the value of the semen. I had plans in my retirement to live 20 years and use one a year. I did have 10 of the 20 breedings moved to a vet. in GA 4 years ago when I retired 4 years ago. I used REDSTORM for one year. So, I only have 7 breeding left. This has really screwed my plans. Now I guess the insurance company will screw me. I have never had any positive dealings with them. I hope someone here has a little knowledge of how I should conduct myself.

[BULLDOG ANONYMOUS]

oh wow! I would have my lawyer Contact them, instead of the other way around. I would be on top of that A.S.A.P

[Officially Retired]

I received a letter today from the vet I used in Smithfield TN that collected and stored much of my frozen semen. He informed me he had a semen tank failure that stored my semen and all were lost. He said he was sorry for my loss and will do his best to help me deal with the problem. He has insurance through AVMA. They have been contacted and an agent has been assigned to the claim. He is going to submit my name etc. and the amount of semen I lost in the next few days. He gave me the claims specialist name and claim number. He said the claims specialist will be contacting me personally to discuss the value of the semen. I had plans in my retirement to live 20 years and use one a year. I did have 10 of the 20 breedings moved to a vet. in GA 4 years ago when I retired 4 years ago. I used REDSTORM for one year. So, I only have 7 breeding left. This has really screwed my plans. Now I guess the insurance company will screw me. I have never had any positive dealings with them. I hope someone here has a little knowledge of how I should conduct myself.

Having been an insurance claims investigator since 1988, I have a wee bit of experience in claims handling

This is a property claim. You are out on a number of things:

1) The amount of money each withdrawal cost you (all lost, all for nothing);
2) The amount of money each month of storage charge cost you (all lost, all for nothing);
3) The amount of money each semen sample could be charged for as an individual stud service (at least $1000 per breeding).

With that money, you should buy (or rent) Red Storm back and put your plans back in action.

Jack

Edit: The key concept in property insurance is indemnification (to make you whole / put you back where you were before).
You could even possibly argue the expense to get Red Storm over to you, that you're going to have to pay for again. You can't argue the cost of the dog, because you bought him, and sold him, and got your money back. But you could argue the full shipping costs which need to be made again because of their negligence (health certificate / air fare, etc.).

[Officially Retired]

PS: I would calculate all of these costs, honestly and realistically, and present the claim withOUT an attorney ... at first.

Remember, an attorney will recover 33.33% of your settlement, so see where the insurance company is at, first, before you bring in an attorney and give away 1/3rd of your settlement by default

The only reason to get an attorney is if the insurance company doesn't give you a fair offer, based on YOUR fair numbers and figures. Don't sell yourself short, but don't bullshit them either, and (more than likely) you can settle your claim directly with the insurance company without an attorney.

Remember, it is all about documentation, so just put all of the figures together in a demand package (receipts, etc.).

If the insurance company proves unreasonable, and offers you a figure less than what you deserve (and less than after you subtract the 1/3rd atty fee), then get an attorney.

Jack

[TALLMAN]

PS: I would calculate all of these costs, honestly and realistically, and present the claim withOUT an attorney ... at first.

Remember, an attorney will recover 33.33% of your settlement, so see where the insurance company is at, first, before you bring in an attorney and give away 1/3rd of your settlement by default

The only reason to get an attorney is if the insurance company doesn't give you a fair offer, based on YOUR fair numbers and figures. Don't sell yourself short, but don't bullshit them either, and (more than likely) you can settle your claim directly with the insurance company without an attorney.

Remember, it is all about documentation, so just put all of the figures together in a demand package (receipts, etc.).

If the insurance company proves unreasonable, and offers you a figure less than what you deserve (and less than after you subtract the 1/3rd atty fee), then get an attorney.

Jack

Jack, I'll take your claims advice. About Storm. I got 2 more than my space allows. But, I just can't make up my mind which 2 to let go of. They are 8 months and I have been trying since they were 12 weeks to decide. Waiting on a sign, none will give. As an old dog handler there was a saying "it runs down the leash" Maybe it applies to other things.

[S_B]

Great advice Jack!

I'm sorry to hear about your loss Tallman, I hope that you will be able to recover that loss and make new plans to replace the old ones.

Good luck getting all that you deserve!

S_B