We all hope that everything we claim for is covered in terms of our insurance cover, but of course it isn’t. Sometimes, you feel strongly that you have a legitimate claim, and yet you hit a brick wall when you try to argue your case. If you don’t have a great broker on your side, fighting your case can be hard, if not impossible. In 1989 the office of the ombudsman for short-term insurance was founded which provides consumers with a free and fair dispute resolution mechanism. If you feel that you have been treated unfairly by your insurance company, however, you must complain to your insurance company first. Only if you are unable to resolve the dispute with your insurer can you contact the ombudsman’s office – note that the ombudsman’s decision is binding on the insurance company, but not on you! You can take it further if you wish to. Therein lies the importance of a specialised broker – they know your area of expertise and are well versed in what may become contentious claims. Although social media is increasingly being used by clients to voice their dissatisfaction with insurance companies, and may make the client feel vindicated, it is not necessarily going to give you resolution. Nothing beats having an experienced broker on your side – it costs you nothing, and will prove invaluable in the event of a contentious claim. As Hugh Reimers, MD of Eikos Risk Applications, explained: “Your broker is your go-to guy; when a claim is disputed, your marine broker will be in a position to guide you and assist you in getting your claim settled.” Marine insurance can be a complicated arena – with the right broker, you will find it a much easier field to navigate.
