When people talk about insurance, most assume that if an accident or damage occurs, the agency responsible for helping the public is the OIC, or the Office of Insurance Commission, which oversees the insurance industry in Thailand.
However, in reality, there are many things that the public may not know, especially regarding the process of filing complaints or claiming compensation from insurance companies. In many cases, policyholders or injured parties unknowingly end up at a disadvantage.
Recently, Lawyer Arm Supasit of Wongsakorn Law Firm shared real stories about the complaint process with the OIC that many people may never have known before. This is important information for everyone who has insurance.
When Filing a Complaint with the OIC but Being Told “The Officer Cannot Make a Decision”
หOne real issue that often occurs is when an injured party or policyholder files a complaint with the OIC, only to be told by the officer that:
“The officer cannot make a decision.”
The officer may then recommend that the person proceed through:
- arbitration proceedings, or
- court proceedings.
At first glance, this may seem normal. However, in reality, the issue is far more complex than many people realize.
Lawyer Arm Supasit believes that the public should not immediately believe everything without careful consideration. In some cases, officers may provide accurate information, but in other situations, matters should still be analyzed thoroughly.
The key problem is this: if an ordinary person has no legal knowledge, how can they determine:
- what should be trusted, and
- what should be further examined?
This is exactly why many injured parties unknowingly end up at a disadvantage.
Arbitration Proceedings: The Process Many People Believe Will Help
Most insurance policies contain provisions stating that:
the injured party or claimant has the right to choose to proceed through arbitration.
The important question is:
if the law or the insurance contract gives policyholders or injured parties the right to choose this process, why do problems often arise once they actually enter the proceedings?
The Truth Many People Have Never Known
From the experience of Wongsakorn Law Firm in handling client consultations, it has been found that in many cases, injured parties chose to enter arbitration proceedings based on the recommendation of the OIC. However, once the process began, the insurance company submitted a petition to the arbitration panel stating that:
“Requesting that the case be dismissed and that the claimant pursue the matter through court proceedings instead.”
This raises an important question:
if, in the end, the injured party must still return to court anyway,
then why should they first have to:
- lose time,
- incur expenses, and
- pay arbitration-related costs?
In some cases, injured parties may have already spent tens of thousands of baht before discovering that the case had been dismissed from the arbitration process.
What Role Should the OIC Play in Situations Like This?
An important question many people have begun asking is: if this type of situation repeatedly happens to the public, what responsibility or protective role should the OIC have?
Most people believe that
- once they enter the process,
- they will receive assistance,
- or at least be given a clear path for exercising their legal rights.
However, when reality turns out differently, many injured parties end up feeling disadvantaged in terms of both time and expenses.
The Public Is Often at a Disadvantage Because They Do Not Understand the Law
The biggest issue is that most injured parties are not legal professionals.
As a result, they often do not understand:
- which legal process is most appropriate,
- which steps should be taken first, or
- what rights insurance companies actually have within the process.
And when people lack legal knowledge, it becomes easy for them to misunderstand the process or proceed in the wrong direction.
This is exactly why many people end up at a disadvantage against insurance companies, even when they are genuinely the injured party.
Insurance Companies Have Legal Teams from the Very Beginning
One important thing injured parties must understand is that insurance companies already have:
- legal teams,
- lawyers, and
- case specialists
handling matters from the moment an incident occurs. As a result, if an injured party handles the matter alone without legal counsel to guide the strategy, the chances of being placed at a disadvantage are extremely high.
This is especially true in cases involving:
- denial of insurance claims,
- interpretation of policy terms,
- arbitration proceedings, and
- court litigation.
Do Not Wait Until Problems Arise Before Looking for a Lawyer
This is something Lawyer Arm Supasit has consistently emphasized. Many injured parties wait until problems occur, wait until the insurance company denies the claim, or wait until they are already at a disadvantage before consulting a lawyer. In reality, establishing the right legal approach from the very beginning is far more important.
Because sometimes, simply:
- drafting the complaint properly,
- organizing the facts and supporting information, or
- choosing the appropriate legal process
can significantly affect the entire direction of the case.
Understanding the OIC and Understanding Insurance Is Important
This article from Wongsakorn Law Firm is not intended to attack any organization. Its purpose is to help the public “stay informed” because in the world of insurance:
- not every recommendation is suitable for everyone, and
- not every process will always benefit the injured party.
Therefore, before deciding to enter any legal or insurance-related process, people should always study the information carefully and consult an insurance law specialist first.
Consulting a Lawyer Immediately After an Incident Is the Best Option
Wongsakorn Law Firm, led by Lawyer Arm Supasit, believes that the most important thing after an accident or insurance dispute occurs is:
“to consult a lawyer immediately”
in order to:
- structure the case properly,
- analyze the relevant legal issues,
- assess the appropriate approach for claiming compensation, and
- prevent being placed at a disadvantage throughout the legal process.
Because if the case is handled incorrectly from the very beginning, the injured party may ultimately lose significant time and incur unnecessary expenses.
Do Not Be Misled by Insurance Companies or the Process Itself
Today, having insurance is not just about purchasing coverage.
Policyholders must also:
- understand their rights,
- understand the legal process, and
- stay informed about legal strategies.
This is especially important when dealing with the OIC, arbitration proceedings, or insurance compensation claims.
If you do not want to be placed at a disadvantage by insurance companies or by the legal process itself, consulting a lawyer from the very beginning is the safest option.
You may consult Lawyer Arm Supasit of Wongsakorn Law Firm today to properly structure your case from the start.