Frequently Asked Questions
What is Subrogation?
Subrogation is the substitution of one person/firm in place of another with respect to a claim or right against a third party. Thus the substitutional party stands in the shoes of the other in the entire claim against a third party.
Why use CityWide Subrogation?
There are several reasons which are often based on identifying a solution that is better and more reasonable than what the municipality can economically accomplish via internal resources.
Why is CityWide a viable option?
Subrogation is our core business focus, whose contingency fee rates force it to be a performer on your open accounts.
Who does CityWide use to recover their clients claims?
CityWide utilizes licensed claims professionals who are savvy to the insurance industry to increase recoveries and decrease cycle recovery time.
What does our contingency fee include?
The contingency fee covers our staffing and administrative costs, technology costs, Workers Comp and CGL insurance costs, vehicle and equipment costs, as well as, all investigative expenses.
How was CityWide Subrogation’s concept developed?
An insurance claims manager saw the unique need that governmental agencies had to recover on damaged assets after reading a Tulsa World newspaper.
What is the statute of limitations for an Oklahoma municipality?
Our research shows the statute of limitations does not toll against an Oklahoma municipality when vindicating a public right per the Oklahoma City Municipal Improvement Authority V. HTB, Inc.case.
Why does CityWide not have the same conflict of interest that an independent adjustment firm have?
CityWide avoids any potential conflict of interest by solely concentrating on subrogation of governmental entities and does not perform any work on behalf of any Insurance companies.
Why should your city not just assign these claims to a collection agency you are already using?
Collection companies merely call the debtor from a call center and request payment. They are not experienced at all in establishing/documenting a liability case and do not perform on site investigations.
What items are needed to properly document a subrogation file?
Proper documentation and the organization of all facts to prove the claim is first. Next, as a minimum the police report, photos, estimates, tortfeasors information is a bare necessity.
What is the critical first step in recovering a subrogation claim?
Identification is the crucial first step. The governmental agency can’t recover if they have not identified the opportunity.
What are the basic steps CityWide goes thru to process a claim?
While these steps are unique to the agency in which CityWide is contracted, the process generally begins with a representative reviewing the police accident reports, and identifies subrogation opportunities. Next the adjuster begins an investigation and begins to build/document a liability case. An estimate is prepared to fully indemnify the Municipality. The adjuster then files/reopens a claim with the tortfeasor’s insurance carrier. Finally the adjuster will receive the recovery and forward it to the Municipality.
How can your municipality score through successful subrogation?
The one part of the “claims game” that is “offense” is Subrogation. Historically, municipalities have been playing a poor “offense”. In part, this is due to staffing and resource constraints. Municipalities are generally “defensively” minded.
In these budget conscious times, what can your city do to recover thousands of dollars each year?
Work like an insurance company to save money by hiring CityWide Subrogation on behalf of your organization.
Why should your city even bother with this process, won’t it mean more work for you?
No. Actually it normally means less work, and earns governmental employees accolades for recognizing this important and untapped revenue stream. Remember each and every dollar recovered helps the Municipality reduce budgeting for these types of expenses in the future.
