I Lost My Husband. I Shouldn't Have Had to Fight GEICO Over the Car Too

Losing my husband in an accident is something I never could have prepared for. In the days and weeks that followed, there were more decisions, paperwork, and responsibilities than I ever imagined having to deal with while grieving. One of those responsibilities was dealing with the insurance claim for our vehicle.

GEICO declared the vehicle a total loss and valued it at $8,161.00. I didn't believe the valuation was fair, but at that point in my life, the last thing I had the energy for was a fight with an insurance company.

I expressed my disagreement, but I didn't feel like I was getting the help I needed. I was already trying to navigate the loss of my husband. I shouldn't also have had to become an expert in vehicle valuations and insurance claims just to determine whether we were being treated fairly.

I eventually hired a public adjuster to review the claim and represent me. They explained that my policy contained a Right to Appraisal provision and that I had the ability to challenge the value through an independent process. That changed everything for me.

Instead of having to personally argue over comparable vehicles, valuations, and numbers during one of the most difficult periods of my life, I had someone who could handle that process on my behalf.

Through the appraisal process, the value of the vehicle was ultimately settled at $12,890.00. The appraisal process increased the value by $4,729.00.

Thankfully, I didn't have to choose between accepting a valuation I believed was wrong and taking on another fight I wasn't prepared for because I had the Right to Appraisal.

No insurance settlement could ever make what happened to my family right. But having an independent way to resolve this part of the claim meant there was one less thing I had to fight during a time when I already had more than enough to carry.

I hope Montana chooses to protect the Right to Appraisal. Sometimes that protection isn't just about the additional money. Sometimes it's about giving someone a fair process when they are least able to fight for one themselves.