Insurer requesting a POA

My insurer is requesting a POA on my claim. What is a POA and why is it required? The car has been taken back to the bodyshop twice now, and now they want it back a third time for this POA. The bodyshop said the damage is extensive.

Answer:

Hello,

A POA is a power of attorney. It is required when you are not the registered owner of the car or the title holder. It is also required if someone else is also listed on the registration of the car (wife, sister, husband, brother).

Why is it required? The insurance company owes the “owner” of the car for the repairs, regardless of who is the policy holder. The owner of the car is legally the person who suffered the damage. It was their property the one that was damaged.

If the insurance company pays you, but you are not the owner (legally registered owner), there is a possibility that the real owner come back later and the insurance company would have to pay them again, since they were never directly paid by insurance. (The insurance company would go after the person they originally paid to get the money back).

That is the only reason why the we believe a POA would be required.

Good Luck,
http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com