Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/12/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My vehicle was hit by one of Berkeley’s insured truck drivers. Said truck driver was under the influence of alcohol. It totaled out my truck which is my work truck, I own a small business. It has been a month now and for the past week it has been nearly impossible to get in contact with anyone they seem to be purposely dragging this out. It is severely hurting my business as I have no way of performing work at the moment and they offer a settlement of nearly 40 percent of my vehicle worth when you deny it they then fall of the planet I guess in hopes that you will be forced to accept whatever they offer. I would not suggest business with these people

  Business Response

  Date: 08/29/2024

  Berkley Small Business Solutions acknowledges receipt of the complaint no. ******** filed by ****** **** on 08/09/24.

  By way of background, Mr. **** left his disabled 2012 **** ***** pick-up truck on the south-bound side of ********** ** in ******** ** on or about 07/17/24. When Mr. **** returned to repair his Ford the next day, it was gone. He discovered that the ******* Police Department towed his unoccupied vehicle after it was struck by an insured of Berkley Small Business Solutions (“Berkley Small Business”) on 07/17/24.  On 07/22/24, Mr. **** contacted Berkley Small Business to file a claim against the insured. This was our first notice of the claim, as our insured never reported the loss.  On 07/23/24, we opened a claim and contacted *** ****.
  
  In his complaint, Mr. **** alleges that it “has been a month now and for the past week it has been impossible to get in contact with anyone they seem to be purposely dragging this out.” As the attached emails demonstrate, we were available and responsive including the week of August 9th. Contact has been made with Mr. **** and/or his counsel on July 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 and August 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, and 28, and these dates do not include documented attempts at phone contact that were unsuccessful and/or made with claimant’s girlfriend at his request. Thus, we dispute the assertion that we have been impossible to get in contact with or not advancing the claim to resolution.
  
  Claimant also makes assertion that we are purposely dragging out the matter. The communications and request to claimant for information to properly adjust his claim objectively establish our continued efforts to secure information necessary to evaluate his claim. Claimant put forth a demand to secure what he paid for his truck, without consideration of depreciation of its condition. He also put forth a claim for lost wages and business income, but he did not immediately respond to multiple requests to produce documents to support these claims and instead said his business is a “cash business,” so he is unable to provide 1099s for employees or tax returns.
  

  Regarding the statement that we offered 40% less than his vehicle was worth, we asked for documentation to support why his vehicle is worth more than the $9,156 offer - - an offer based on objective vehicle data (report attached). Claimant put forth a ***** Blue Book Value on 2012 **** **** *** *******: $14,076 (Private Party Sale). That vehicle, however, is not comparable because it has clean title. Claimant expects what he paid for vehicle initially without depreciation. We have requested documentation on anything that would support increasing offer based on upgrades to vehicle or any comparable units in his area (with those comparable units having same title). Our offer reflects the current market value of a branded title vehicle. Claimant’s truck has a branded salvage title which indicates the vehicle has suffered serious damage. The damage is often so serious that it could affect the reliability, safety, and value of the vehicle permanently. Claimant has yet to provide documentation to assist in determining mileage or support any upgrades or recent repairs, including purchase of $1,200 worth of tires. As a result, we have been unable to determine the mileage of the vehicle or other factors that may increase the initial offer. His failure to provide the requested documentation has caused unnecessary delay.

  Despite telling us he returned to work on July 29 after he secured his tools and a rental car via a family member, claimant alleges in complaint that he still has not returned to work. He said some employees are unable to get to jobs because they don’t have a vehicle. His tools were not damaged in the loss. Any delay in retrieving those tools from his truck is due solely to the inaction of claimant in retrieving them.
  There were some delays in getting a rental vehicle for claimant, but those were outside the control of Berkley. ********** would not rent a vehicle to claimant for reasons that they would not officially disclose, so we could not direct bill the rental car. And we would not rent a car without claimant having auto insurance, which claimant admitted he did not have any auto insurance on his truck. He agreed to get insurance, but ********** still would not rent car to him. Finally, he was able to secure a vehicle through a family member who rented a van for his use.  

  We never disputed liability. We quickly resolved the claim of the claimant’s customer who had pizza equipment in the back of the truck at the time it was struck.  In fact, we processed the settlement proceeds for his customer before claimant even filed this complaint. Since we received letter of representation, we have been directly communicating with his counsel and providing the information to support the basis for our offer. We continue to make efforts to resolve the claim and put claimant back into position he was before the accident. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/21/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Initial bill of $20,818.00 from BerkleyNet was a ******* **** Insurance coverage renewal. Payment was split into 2 segments based on being a day apart. First payment of $10,000 and second payment of $10,818. I was notified by BerkleyNet the second (greater amount of $10,818.00) did not go thru in the beginning of April. So I decided to place another payment thru my credit card for $10,818.00 a few days later.
  A month went by and i received my bank and credit card statements. The !0,000 and 10,818 and 10,818 were all on my statements. i emailed the company about overpaying. in several emails they said they had the refund approved and even that reimbursement would get mailed out. This did not and has not occurred.
  it is now over 11 weeks since this began. i am getting the run-around. Can you help me out?

  Business Response

  Date: 07/03/2024

  Upon receiving this complaint in the mail on June 25, 2024 at our corporate offices in ********** **, the Berkley Legal Department promptly contacted the business unit involved in the matter, BerkleyNet.  We were informed that BerkleyNet had mailed the check to the customer on June 24, 2024 (i.e., the day prior to our receipt of the complaint letter).  BerkleyNet then informed us that the check (dated June 24, 2024) was cashed on or before July 2, 2024.  We apologize for the inconvenience but trust that this resolves the matter.  If there are any further questions please let us know.  Thank you.