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