Eddie Quintela, owner and president of Collision Concepts of Delray Beach, Fla., has once filed a lawsuit against 21st Century Insurance on behalf of his customer who made a claim under their policy with the carrier.
In 2012, Quintela, on behalf of his company’s customers, filed three separate lawsuits against 21st Century of which the insurer agreed to pay before the trial dates. In addition to the disputed amounts, the insurer paid all of Eddie’s legal fees and costs.
In spite of recent claims whereas the insurer has provided full payments, as of late, 21st Century claims representatives have elected to once again deny payments for the repairer’s posted labor rates, processes and procedures as deemed to be reasonable and necessary to properly restore their customer’s vehicle. As Such, Quintela, on behalf of and with the full support of his customer, has found it necessary to once again file a lawsuit against the insurer on his customer’s behalf for such denials.
“As in the past with this company, they pay us only after we file suit but before they go before a judge and/or jury. Thereafter they pay in full for every needed material, process and rates for a while… then abruptly change back to their old ways. I’m puzzled; as I am confident their company shareholders would be as well, since the insurer has often paid 20 times the amounts in dispute, often paying upwards of $2,500.00 in legal fees and costs for a dispute that may be under $100.00!" Quintela says.
“I don’t care. it would be much easier for their policyholder if they just paid what they owe without the need for litigation, but when they don’t, I’ll be helping my customer to have their day in court. As I see it, they [insurers] can either pay fairly now…or pay much more later."
“It’s no wonder insurance rates continue to climb and it has absolutely nothing to do with the cost of proper repair as the insurers would have people believe!"
