Dear Claudienne,

I live in St Ann and my motor vehicle is insured with Advantage General Insurance Company.

On November 7, 2023, I was driving towards Priory from Runaway Bay. When I reached Richmond Estate a Grey Nissan station wagon travelling behind me and that was insured with BCIC overtook a line of traffic.

Upon reaching near my car to avoid hitting a motor vehicle coming from the opposite direction he pulled in and hit my car and both vehicles ended up in a ditch.

My vehicle was insured with Advantage through a broker, Solid Life General Insurance company in Ocho Rios, St Ann. I gave the broker all the details and documents and he said that a claim was sent to Advantage and BCIC but he had got no response.

I don’t know where to go from here so I am asking you for help, please.

MS

Dear MS,

Tell Claudienne contacted Advantage and received the following e-mail on August 2, 2024

“Details of MS’ claim were submitted to the third-party insurer BCIC and a Deal Direct Letter was issued to his broker Solid Life.

Further queries on this claim are to be directed to BCIC.”

On August 16, 2024, BCIC sent the column the following e-mail:

“We are in receipt of details of claim from AGI, however liability is in dispute.

We are having dialogue with our insured to resolve the issue of liability.”

Tell Claudienne next learned from Advantage that the owner of the vehicle that hit your car told BCIC that he did not accept liability for the accident. Advantage said that arbitration would have to determine who was liable for the accident.

The column notes that despite several calls made by you to Advantage this year to get the date of the Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ) arbitration hearing you were unable to get a definitive date.

On February 25, 2025 the IAJ informed Tell Claudienne that your arbitration matter was heard and closed on November 24, 2024.

On February 26, when the column told Advantage what the IAJ had said, the claims manager sent the column the following e-mail:

“Further to your e-mail correspondence and our telephone conversation on February 25, re the subject, we have updated MS’ brokers regarding developments and sincerely regret the challenges MS experienced regarding his claim.

“We are pleased to advise that Advantage General is currently undertaking a thorough review of its internal procedures to ensure that our customers continue to experience the finest possible service.”

On March 28, 2025, an e-mail from Advantage to Tell Claudienne stated the following:

“My team has confirmed via e-mail to you today, that the required information was sent to the third-party insurers. We apologise to you and the claimants for the delay; we continue to work towards improving our service delivery.”

The column notes that BCIC has now made a payment to you.

We wish you all the best.

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bserver, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.