Insurance claims door bent due to worn hinge pins

spechuled · September 14, 2021

So I'm in the middle of a insurance battle, my driver's side door was bent due to a attempted break in. I've provided all the photos of the door, door jambs, and all the surrounding area. The insurance company is stating that the door is bent out at the top ⅜ of a inch due to my door hinge pins being bad, and normal wear and tear, and they found info on the internet to prove there case. I have made a complaint with the division of financial regulation. And the kicker is they have never seen it in person and are only going off of pictures. I've provided documentation of my pins being replaced 1 ½ years ago. Is any of this true, highly doubt it. I need to collect more info, any help would be appreciated.

txab · September 15, 2021

What insurance company?

Jworks · September 16, 2021

Several comments for you. I spent 25 yrs in insurance and I'm74. I worked as an underwriter and as an agent. Back then things were different. A legitimate claim was paid by the Company and moved on. Since I left the business a lot has changed. Its now called deny anytime there is anything at all out there to keep from paying out. Thats not true in every single case but I have had it happen to me when a guy ran a red light and turned left in front of me. In the older days turning left in front of someone was an automatic at fault. Nowadays, the silver tongued lawyers have built court cases otherwise. When this happened to me a relative also in insurance told me "that's what they all do now", meaning her company did that too. Its deny as long as possible and pay out only when they don't knuckle under. But, as said, this varies from one company to another. In my case, I was so mad at their obvious stonewalling I went to a lawyer and got him to do what we use to call a $50 letter to the ins Co. That worked, they paid up. As an agent I saw some weird stuff, very weird in some cases, where people just wanted an ins Co. to pay out when none was due. All that said, if your case is truly from an attempted break-in I would get a lawyer to send a letter. And/or file a dispute with your state insurance commissioner. (Don't expect any lightning action there). 3/8" is a lot of space for sure. Now, looking at it from the insurance Co's point and being skeptical, the door hinges were replaced 18 mos ago. So I have to wonder why that was done. And, were they replaced with good parts. In the photo I don't see any scratched up areas from the break-in attempt. No bent places. Why wouldn't the thief just break the glass? Trying to pry the door open would be foolish. What's going for you is its bent out 3/8" at the top of the door. I don't know. In summary, I'd say get a lawyer especially if you have a friend that is one and will do this cheaply. Another good thing for you to do is get a body shop to look at it. They are pros and will know if the pins are default or if it was from a break-in attempt. If its a legitimate break-in, get the lawyer.

Jworks · September 16, 2021

On 9/14/2021 at 11:04 PM, txab said:

What insurance company?

It could be any, but like you I would like to know as well. I have a suspicion the name of the Co starts with G.

It's Tim · September 16, 2021

On 9/14/2021 at 7:24 PM, spechuled said:

I need to collect more info, any help would be appreciated.

The top of the door frame was bent due to the break in. The way they enter quickly is to pry the top of the door frame away from the vehicle and then insert a rod through the opening. Usually they use something like a coat hanger but the vehicle antenna can be removed and used in a pinch to press the power unlock button or in the absense of that just pop the lock knob. If the bushings for the hinge pins were wallowed the door wouldn't latch correctly.

Experience:

30+ years living 35 miles northwest of Detroit and repairing far too many stolen recoveries.

txab · September 16, 2021

1 hour ago, Jworks said:

It could be any, but like you I would like to know as well. I have a suspicion the name of the Co starts with G.

I suspect as well

Jworks · September 16, 2021

4 hours ago, txab said:

I suspect as well

Yep, in my case it was the "lizard" co. Having been in the business I recognized the "canned speech" and brush off I was given. In the end, I got my way and that dumb-butt girl with no real life experience got shown up for what she was -- a mindless clerk. I hope Spechuled gets this worked out.

Edited September 16, 2021 by Jworks