Category: SOFT SETTLE

Traditional Court system does not provide an effective solution to the effect of Consumer Dispute Resolution.

SoftSettle Support

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) describes a range of methods (such as mediation and arbitration) designed to avoid the need to go to court to enforce legal rights. Usually these methods are a cheaper and quicker route for resolving a dispute.

SoftSettle Support has stepped up further with a new innovative resolution tools to make the consumer dispute resolution more cheaper and flexible. SoftSettle Support has come up with new techniques that can support the varying nature of online and offline marketplaces in a dynamic fashion. Further the described techniques provide a comprehensive ODR system that may be tailored to, and integrated within, an online and offline market place. The technology built by SoftSettle Support allow automated or manually assisted processes to address the grievances of the customers.

All the designs developed are enough to reduce the time and enhance the flexibility so as to generate the efficiency which are more and enough for limiting the extent of reputation of both buyers and sellers.

The techniques integrated in the software may provide new technology, online and offline user interface processes which allow the ODR system described herein to automatically tailor a dispute resolution experience for users or user types with given sets of issues. As a result ODR system can better route disputes in an automated or manual fashion separately or in an combined fashion.

Techniques are described for handling disputes online. The technology addresses needs arising through the recent growth of global online and offline marketplace and online and offline selling.

Soft Settle deals with E-Commerce Disputes

SoftSettle Support

The proliferation of electronic commerce using the Internet as a common communication medium has established a need for an effective dispute resolution mechanism when exchanges in electronic commerce are unsatisfactory to one or more the parties involved. The Internet is a convenient medium by which consumers and businesses can purchase a variety of goods and services. Since buyers and sellers meet online, convenience of selecting, ordering and payment is offset by the possibility of the transaction not occurring as planned and the difficulty in resolving any issues post-order. Issues could include corrupt traders or merchants, a failure to deliver the goods or services promised, a lack of quality in the goods or services which are delivered or other ways in which one of the two parties feels that the transaction did not occur as expected. The difficulty of resolving an issue once it occurs is compounded by the fact the parties are in different locations and therefore cannot show one another visually what may be the issue, or cannot discuss face to face other alternatives that they may lead to mutual satisfaction. All these factors also contribute to a general lack of trust between parties. Hence the lack of adequate system lead to leave the parties highly dissatisfied with the electronic commerce experience with a common outcome of not participating as much or at all due to the risks or due to an incidence of real or perceived dispute.

What can SS-EQUITY (E-Com Dispute Resolution) do to resolve e-commerce disputes?

Finding the traditional dispute resolution processes like court litigation and traditional ADR do not provide an effective solution and so far not effective in dealing with cross-border or cross-state or often times cross-locality transactions that may occur in electronic commerce and further traditional ADR are generally slow and very procedural comparatively.

As such SS-EQUITY (E-Commerce) groomed up with an ODR system applies the techniques beyond the traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, such as automated complaint handling, automated direct negotiation between the parties, automated agreement processes, facilitating case handling, facilitated mediation, specialized mediation processes and specific marketplace processes could able to meet the challenges posed by the present trend of e-commerce disputes. Techniques are described for handling disputes online. The

techniques particularly relate to low-volume as well as  high-volume dispute handling, and integration with an online marketplace or general online selling. The techniques can handle even a very high volume of concurrent disputes cost effectively, and provide for the central management of a large and geographically distributed group of dispute resolution specialists that assist

with online dispute resolution. The techniques address needs arising through the recent growth of global online market places and online selling.

Commitments

Soft Settle facilitates the parties with the techniques aiming at faster settlement with transparency in the solutions. Further SS-Equity (ECDR) incorporated in the platform Soft Settle promotes effortless experiences in resolving e-commerce disputes.

Features

  • A method is technically integrated to enable a complainant to automatically design a dispute resolution process from a plurality of component process.
  • Technical integration of a method to receive characterization information
  • Technical integration of a method to enable access to deliberation information associated with a second dispute to facilitate resolution of first dispute.
  • Assisting a review of a plurality of component processes that respectively utilized to facilitate the resolution of a dispute.
  • Independent review feedback is incorporated
  • The settlement process can be synchronous or asynchronous as according to the convenience of the parties.
  • Repeated e-Negotiation till a resolution is found
  • An escalated mode with a neutral assisting the disputants in finding a solution (software built) where the neutral’s decision in respect of disputes would be final.
  • As an appeal parties can again approach an appellate tribunal in a different platform Mediator Affair integrated in www.odrsupport.com.
  • An automatic Agreement would be generated on settlement in all situations referred above after the parties approving the Agreement Framework.

 

 

 

Electronic Dispute Resolution of E-Commerce Disputes through Internet

SoftSettle Support

Today, consumers order billions of dollars of merchandise, manufactures, and parts, orchestrate the transnational assembly of products, and move vast amounts of capital from one financial institution to another using electronic means including the internet.

The Internet transformed the way the industrialized world does business over the Internet only with organizations having a physical location in their state. Businesses doing business transactions confront the same problems. The result is uncertainty. Uncertainty breeds apprehension. Apprehension castes a chilling pale over the Internet preventing the opportunities for speed of light, inexpensive commerce from business only using a brick and mortar store, or else use the phone, mail, or the internet without the desired certainty as to jurisdiction and choice of law. However, if you have ever been in a lawsuit, as opposed to private Undercurrent law, this is uncertain and large, expensive; time- consuming fights may develop. It is desired to avoid having to deal with these issues by providing disputes in the same manner as the original transaction was conducted, i.e., on-line using client computers connected together over the Internet.

SoftSettle Support has come forward with an invention to run in internet that can take challenge to defeat the tribulations of expensive, time consuming litigations apart from confusion over choosing the laws of the countries.

It is further recognized herein that the desired dispute arising out of an e-commerce transaction, or who generally engage in transactions over the Internet. The desired system would also provide an inexpensive and convenient on-line forum to resolve business over the Internet with the correspondingly similar ease and time-saving convenience as entering into those on-line transactions in the first place. It would be advantageous to get disagreements considered and adjudicated as quickly as possible and from the convenience of the parties’ own computers. It is desired that the parties should be able to do so before an independent, impartial tribunal without having to resolve expensive and time-consuming issues of where the method of electronically adjudicating a method including selecting an electronic dispute, and electronically processing the adjudicating of the dispute to resolution. It may be agreed upon in advance of finalizing an e-commerce transaction giving rise to a dispute resolution by electronic agreement. The level selecting step may include a mutual agreement by parties involved in the dispute before or after the transaction is finalized.

A system, software and dispute are further provided, the dispute adjudication level from multiple levels providing various extents of procedural options involved in the adjudicating of the dispute in accordance with the selected level including electronic filing of each of a complaint, an answer to the complaint, and final argument submissions by parties involved in the dispute resolution web page accessible by parties involved in the dispute resolution web page.

The platform Soft Settle facilitates resolution with the issues being considered to be provided with the neutral adjudication in basic and escalated mode as the appeal or second attempt being integrated in www.softsettle.com  and if not satisfied by the clients further extension of the adjudication to be referred to another appellate tribunal with a different platform Mediator Affair integrated in www.odrsupport.com powered by SoftSettle Support.

You need not accept a raw deal, but you have to make your case and negotiate a better settlement

SoftSettle Support

Before you get annoyed about a claim payment or denial, review your insurance policy to see if you are covered for the damage in dispute and what the money limits for your coverage. Once you realized how much you deserve out of the policy you have availed, it will help your strengthen your argument if you are in the right.

You can seek clarifications to insurers when you are blurred over the settlement was lower than expected. If policy sounds ambiguous, you have to make it clear the particular section in question. Once you are clear on your insurer’s position, prepare document that can help prove your case. If your insurance company thinks it will cost certain amount to compensate the loss you have suffered but you think it will be more, get a written estimate from an independent contractor.

If you need to dispute a denial or low settlement offer, start by writing a letter to your claims adjuster. Briefly explain your point of view, including any evidence you have prepared that supports your side, and request that the adjuster review the claim.

Even if you’re seething inside, remain polite. Don’t threaten to hire an attorney. If you take an adversarial tone right off the bat, your insurer might decide to let its lawyers do the talking. If your case is week, a law suit may damage your expectations.

Appraisal is a common process used in disagreements between insured and insurers over property damage. Two appraisers will be in charge if  a dispute arises as both sides pick each appraiser to represent them. If there is a deadlock they can resort to the dispute resolution process mooted by SoftSettle Support using the platform of MEDIATOR AFFAIR integrated in the portal www.odrsupport.com
Further an online mediation can be called for, where a Mediator can be nominated by both parties from among the panel of professionals provided by the ODR providers. SoftSettle Support channelizes online mediation using the platform MEDIATOR AFFAIR integrated in www.odrsupport.com. Typically faster mode of Mediation is guaranteed through this portal and application respectively and the negotiation for clear verdict in the form of  claim settlement  which is software stimulated, integrated in the portal www.softsettle.com and the mobile application SOFT SETTLE

 

Approach in resolving Insurance Disputes

SoftSettle Support

As careful as we are, there is the possibility of being involved in an accident while you’re driving.   Or having damage occur to your home due to circumstances you can’t control.   While carrying car insurance and home insurance minimizes the financial risks and responsibilities of the aftermath of an accident, there is a possibility that you and your insurance company could disagree about the benefits you’re entitled to in the event that you have to file a claim.

What can you do in the case of a dispute with your insurance company?   The best scenario is that you and your insurance provider can come to an agreement that works for both of you, but in the case that it isn’t possible to resolve the disagreement between both parties, there are other options available to you.

SoftSettle Support shapes online platforms for insurance claim settlement.

There is, of course, a range of options available to disputing parties who do not wish to proceed to formal litigation (litigation Is typically costly, time consuming. Uncertain and ultimately unsatisfying regardless of the outcome.) A number of processes, of varying degrees of formality, are available to assist the parties to resolve their dispute themselves, or in some cases, to impose a settlement regime on the parties. These resolution processes can be divided into two broad categories.

First are consensual processes such as conciliation and mediation, where the parties to the dispute typically meet with an independent third party to explore settlement options. The third party is not supposed to impose any unilateral decision but to assist and persuade the parties to generate and refine their own settlement options.

Second are adjudicative processes such as arbitration, appraisal, early  neutral evaluation or mini trial. The parties are given the opportunity to make submissions to an independent umpire. Each parties’ submissions are weighed by the umpire and a decision is made. This third party must them review that material before formulating an appropriate settlement regime.

SoftSettle Support facilitates an environment for both insurers and insured as insurer will gain more credibility to canvass more clients as he is not inclined to constantly battling with customers in court and insured will get sigh of relief so far as insurer used to be conciliatory and attractive to their existing and prospective customers

SoftSettle Support provides a portal or application to insurer and insured where they can submit their disputes to get it resolved by means of online mediation and online arbitration presided by experienced neutral and arbitrators. These advantages are being built and integrated in the virtual court powered by SoftSettle Support in www.odrsupport.com. Apart from regular disputes used to occur in the negotiation (resolution) process to reach an accepted claim settlement is being integrated in www.softsettle.com. These opportunities allows the insured more time in mediation sessions to articulate his or her position. The insurer would also get an opportunity to reconcile to go with a win-win strategy rather than preserving an attitude of obstinacy in the process of litigation.

Hence SoftSettle Support strikes the conscious of the parties  as the conciliatory nature of processes like online mediation ensures that the parties are given every chance to preserve their existing relationships. Consensual processes encourage the parties to work together to generate settlement options.

Hope these suggestions might be some of the analytical answers to the questions posed by the scenario described in the top paragraphs.

 

 

SoftSettle Support manages Disputes in respect of value of the insured property

The Dispute Resolution Process

When you cannot reach an agreement about the value of the insured property, the value of the property saved, the nature and extent of the repairs or replacements required, or the amount of the loss or damage, those questions must be determined using the Dispute Resolution Process. The Dispute Resolution Process by means of Online Arbitration or Online Mediation are being integrated in the ODR portal www.odrsupport.com using the platform MEDIATOR AFFAIR powered by SoftSettle Support.

The dispute resolution process must be used in settling the amount of a loss with your own insurer. Rather the insurance company is supposed to send you a statement determining that there is dispute in respect to the amount of a loss.

Alternatively, as an insured, you can initiate the dispute resolution process in respect to the amount of a loss at any time, through the following process by resorting to the concerned services of SoftSettle Support. SoftSettle Support facilitates online conferencing which could bring the insured and insurer confronting over video so that the following steps can be carried out without further delays.

  • You must file a proof of loss form with the insurer and make a written request to start the dispute resolution process. A proof of loss form is available from your adjuster by online.
  • Within seven days, you and your insurer must each appoint, at your own cost, someone to represent your interests. Neither party can represent themselves, nor can appoint employees.
  • There is no requirement to appoint an appraiser to represent you. You may appoint anyone of your own choosing, although it is highly recommended you appoint a representative with expertise in the subject matter being disputed.
  • If the two representatives cannot agree on the amount of the loss, they will appoint an umpire to assist in establishing the amount of the loss. If the representatives cannot agree on an umpire, they can seek the assistance of the selected ODR provider to provide an umpire/neutral to decide the case.
  • Selection of an umpire/neutral to decide the case
  • The umpire will issue a written decision based on information provided by the representatives.
  • The outcome of the dispute resolution process is final and binding for both the insured and the insurer on the issue of the amount of the loss.
  • It is important to note that the dispute resolution cannot be used to resolve contractual disagreements, such as whether there is coverage under the policy.  The interpretation of what is covered by your policy is a matter for the courts to decide or resort to online dispute resolution facilitated by the platform MEDIATOR AFFAIR integrated in www.odrsupport.com.

Soft Settle discharges this service as a special effort to help both claimant and insurance company to sort their differences over the determination of the loss. As such, the insurance company can make an analytical study which could lead to a perfect way of dealing the settlement

 

Dealing the Insurance Claim Settlement Offer or Denial

SoftSettle Support

If you filed an insurance claim (in general) and feel your insurer should pay more than they estimated, or wrongfully denied your claim, you aren’t helpless. This guide will walk you through the process to dispute a claim offer or claim denial, and help make sure your settlement is fair.

Discrepancies over the cost of damages or a loss are common between insurance companies and policyholders. Policyholders pay premiums and expect all of their claims to be paid in-full. It is in insurance companies’ best financial interests to pay as little as possible in claims, which directly affect their profit and ultimately affect the cost of premiums. But that doesn’t mean companies automatically try to lowball their policyholders. Both parties often just need to share more information with one another to come to an agreement, or at least an understanding behind a settlement.

Then there is room for disputing. Exactly what you shall do is to contact your insurer or company. But you should review the claim you filed earlier. Consider if there is any way you can improve it. The quality of evidence showing damage or a loss can have a significant impact on the claim settlement. You have to refresh the claims with evidences potentially with materials such as photos, videos, repair estimates and receipts for items; you should organize before reconnecting with your insurer or company. It must be borne in mind that these materials should not have evidenced in the initial claim. Remember that an adjuster from the company calculated the estimate, not your agent or the person you’ll speak to. Be polite, listen to what they have to say and follow any instruction they might give you regarding a claim dispute. It has to be learnt whether the adjuster can reexamine the property damaged or loss of particular assets against which you have made the claims as mistakes happen and it is possible that the adjustor might have succumbed to miscalculations. A company might review it again but that doesn’t mean that settlement offer might change.

As the insurer or company is reluctant to make any amends, you may be forced to resort to certain private appraiser. SoftSettle Support is there to assist you in accepting the role of an appraiser with their expertise in assessing or appraising the loss suffered by you. It is a special service that SoftSettle Support intends to provide to their clients. On the other hand you will be pleased to enjoy the services of SoftSettle Support rather than seeking the assistance of a private appraiser so far as their services demands heavy pounds or fees. The extension of the special services provided by SoftSettle Support is by means of MEDIATOR AFFAIR integrated in the portal www.odrsupport.com powered by SoftSettle Support.

Claim disputes rarely make it to this stage. If you are unable to reach an agreement on a claim with your insurance company, and have exhausted all of the above options, there are certain options to be worked out which includes reporting the mistreatment or bad business practices to concerned authorities and facing the investigation to evaluate whether your complaint is justified or not along with the second option of hiring an attorney to pursue the case dragging it to court litigation and bear the heavy litigation expenses.

Rather ignoring the above two options, as the first gesture, you can reliably seek the assistance of SS-Equity (Insurance Claim Settlement) using the Soft Settle platform in deciding the disputes over the insurance claim which is more convenient in settling your case may also be acceptable by your insurance company to be justifiably delivered with a win-win outcome.

Denial of Insurance Claims

By SoftSettle Support

There may be delay in settling claims, ok the delay is delay but if the claims are denied it is truly unjustifiable. But the insurance companies have justifications. But we will find difficult to digest such arguments deemed to be the reasons for denial of claims.

We can assess the situation. Let me serve you with some hypothetical scenario.

A gentleman met with an accident. The accident is disastrous. He is seriously injured and left in a coma. When he wake nine days later, he has multiple broken bones, collapsed lungs, and are destined to spend the next few agonizing months under constant care. He regularly pays his insurance premiums. But unfortunately the insurance company denies his claim. They claim the driver who caused the crash acted negligently, and so the accident was not an “accident.” His hospital bills pile up, He is too injured to go back to work, and his insurance company has deserted him. The irony is that when the policy holder needs the insurer most, they do something like this.

So it is that. The policyholder is at fault. It is assessed and certified that the accident could have avoided.

Okay then the reasons steps up one by one. Then the claim is not covered by policy. Insurance policies are contract that define each party’s obligations. The insurer agrees to cover only certain claims as outlined in the contract.

Then again, the coverage has lapsed. If an accident occurs during gap in coverage, if the policy holder did not pay his insurance premium in correct date.

Then something most unfortunate. The policy holder’s doctor may use the wrong coder for a procedure causing the insurance company to believe that the procedure fails outside his policy coverage.

Then how can you overcome such awkward situations:

You have to read your policy carefully/ You should know exactly what is covered and how to appeal a denial by your insurance company.

Be very careful in filling the forms. Even if you make an honest mistake your insurance company may seize on that as a reason to retroactively deny your coverage.

If anytime your insurer rescinds your insurance by sending you refund for the premiums you paid, you never accept or cash them which might lead to make the court believe or may be interpreted as accepting their decision.

Talking to insurers or their representatives over telephones or directly is desperately a frustrating experience and you will fail to prove anything during litigation and it is better you insist the insurance company to put everything in writing. So that you can keep records of all bills and correspondence such as mails and other communications.

It is going to be  a mental test, sometimes even your persuasive attitude would not help you to not to abandon further attempts. Knocking at the doors and if it keeps on turning dear ear to you, never give up.

Soft Settle is there to support you. They can help you from your first knock at the door or even at your frustrated knock before you have decided to give up. As such Soft Settle with its mediation outfit (www.odrsupport.com) Mediator Affair can resolve the issues and further if everything goes well,you can also negotiate with your insurance company to make a get through in settling your insurance claims. Soft Settle and Mediator Affair can put you in a safe resort and releasing all agonies against your insurer.

 

 

Low Insurance Settlement Offer – A source for Concern & Source of Conflict.

By SoftSettle Support

Do not be surprised if the initial settlement offer is a low figure. There are many reasons why you might receive a “low” offer. The claims adjuster may have concluded that you are partially at fault for your injuries, or that your injuries were not serious enough to justify the amount of damages you included in your demand letter. He may also produce concerns about your pain and suffering demand.

Consider this a test from the claims adjuster. The insurance company has nothing to lose and everything to gain by making you a low bid settlement offers. Many people are struggling financially after an accident and are desperate to jump at the first settlement offer that comes their way. Even though it may be difficult to pass up a settlement offer, you should not accept the initial offer unless it is fair. How to evaluate and deal with a fair settlement offer is discussed at the conclusion of this article.

Do not panic over a low settlement offer. Remember, the insurance company is running a business and must maintain its profits. The claims adjuster does not expect you to accept the first offer, but rather hopes that you will. Naive personal injury claimants accept lowball offers all the time.

As soon as you receive the initial settlement offer in writing, carefully evaluate the stated reasons for the low settlement amount. You should respond to each of the points made by the claims adjuster in a written letter that includes a counteroffer. In this letter, you will reassert your position (this is the same position you carefully described in your demand letter). Focus on the extreme pain and suffering you endured. Never personally attack the claims adjuster. Be professional yet firm in explaining why you deserve more money for your injuries and other losses.

Rejecting the Low Offer

 In order to reject the initial settlement from the insurance company, you should send a details  to the claims adjuster through  the medium of Soft Settle that:

States you do not find the initial settlement offer acceptable;

Lists the reasons why you deserve a higher settlement offer; and

Includes a demand for a higher settlement offer stating reasons.

In this case you can invite the Insurance Company for negotiation so that you can tell them Soft Settle Platform offers a potential zone of agreement where they can reach a settlement acceptable to both.

In the meanwhile you can serve a letter rejecting the initial settlement offer and include your personal information about your loss or damages where applicable. This record will help you in case you are heading for court litigation if any.

The initial or later low offer from the part of the insurance company is the cause of the dispute and usually the claimants may consider entrusting lawyers to contest for them to claim and earn more which could be settle their loss.

Soft Settle thus helps both claimant and insurance company by judiciously settling their claims which could bring a harmony in respect of their relationships, otherwise would have been in peril in case the claimant proceeds to court litigation

Set Limits on Conversations

SoftSettle Support narrates the following hypothetical situation over a personal injury – auto accident insurance case as cautioning notice to the parties who will find rather difficult time with the insurance company on the occasion of an event – injury or accident.

In your first contact with an insurance adjuster (which usually comes via a phone call) make it clear that you will not be discussing much.

Let the adjuster know that, until you have finished investigating the accident, have completed medical treatment, and have fully recovered from your injuries, you do not want to discuss anything related to:

  • how the accident happened
  • what your injuries are (or how serious they are, or whether your condition is improving), or
  • what a settlement amount should be

In this first discussion with insurance adjuster, set boundaries. Ask that the adjuster communicate with you in writing until you present your written demand for compensation and actual settlement negotiations begin.

In some situations, however, it may not be practical to stop all phone conversations. For example, if you have been in an auto accident, you may need to discuss repairs to your car. If you do need to speak to the adjuster again, set whatever limits you want on the place and times — home or work, morning, evening, weekends — for telephone contact.

There are good reasons to limit your phone conversations with insurance adjusters. Some will call frequently in an attempt to get you to settle quickly, and they can become a real nuisance. It’s good to nip this in the bud.

More important, until you have had a full opportunity to investigate and think about the accident, to determine the nature and extent of your injuries, and to recover (or reach “maximum medical improvement” in insurance parlance), you will not have accurate information to provide. And, if you give incomplete or inaccurate information on the phone, the insurance company may try to make you stick to it later on. Some insurance adjusters are good at getting you to say something which could be considered an admission of some fault on your part, or which limits the seriousness of your injuries. It is therefore much better to have no discussions at all until you have made your compensation demand in writing and you are fully prepared to discuss a settlement.