You expect an insurance company to help recover the losses you’ve sustained after being involved in an accident. In reality, it often goes otherwise. Insurance adjusters, whose job is to assess claims, don’t work in your best interests. Their job is to reduce the compensation.
If you are among the millions who have experienced frustration with the claims process, know that you are not alone. Insurance adjusters use a series of tactics designed to either deny or lowball claims. Knowing what to expect will keep you prepared and help you protect your rights. A deeper dive below will enlighten you on the crucial strategies they use.
Delaying the Process
One common strategy is stalling. Insurance adjusters may take longer than necessary to respond to your claim. This may be a rough spot, especially if you depend on the compensation for medical bills or repairs.
The longer this process is dragged out, the more desperate you may feel. If this tactic is what you are facing, then you must remain patient and document all correspondence. Follow up regularly and note every delay. Hire a personal injury attorney to assist you when you are in such a situation.
Minimizing the Severity of Injuries
Insurance adjusters can also downplay the extent of your injury. They will often claim that the treatment was unnecessary. Sometimes, they will claim that your injury is unrelated to the accident, especially if the injury was some sort of pre-existing condition.
Document your medical treatment fully, and do not hesitate to get a second opinion if that is what you want to do. If you have been treated as advised by a physician, you are entitled to fair compensation for your medical expenses. Continue with your treatment, and do not stop seeking medical attention because an insurance adjuster may suggest that you should do so.
Requesting Excessive Documentation
Another strategy the adjuster uses is asking for piles of paperwork. For example, they may request many years of medical records before the date of the accident or other such documents unrelated to the case. This is usually done to wear one down with paperwork and bog down the case.
Remember, while some documentation is required, there is a limit. If you feel that the requests are unreasonable, then you must seek the services of an attorney.
Offering a Low Settlement
Insurance adjusters may also make a low offer just to get it over with. These offers come in early in the claims process when the full extent of your injuries or damages is yet to be determined. They bank on your financial crisis, hoping you’d expect the compensation.
These are the early settlement offers you should always be cautious about. They hardly cover all your expenses, and once accepted, you may no longer be allowed to claim further damages.
It is wise to wait until one understands the damage before agreeing to any settlement. If you are unsure, do not make any decisions without consulting a legal professional.
Accusing You of Contributing to the Incident
They may also try to argue that you partially contributed to the accident. Anything that looks useful to minimize liability is considered, even the smallest detail. For instance, they may claim you were not paying full attention or did not follow proper safety protocols.
When dealing with this strategy, it’s essential to be cautious with your statements. Avoid giving recorded statements to the adjuster without consulting a legal professional first. Anything you say could be used against you to reduce or reject your claim.
Challenging Expert Opinions
There are those claims adjusters who will contest expert opinions, be it a doctor, an accident reconstructionist, or whatever other type of professional. This is another way to weaken your claim and add doubt.
In such a situation, you need experts with a good reputation on your side. Make sure that the professionals you work with have good credentials.
Conclusion
Insurance adjusters use different methods to deny or lowball claims. The main objective here is to make sure their boss (the insurance company) makes a profit. They achieve this by delaying the process, contesting liability, downplaying injuries, demanding an unreasonable amount of documentation, making lowball settlements, misinterpreting policies, blaming you, or attacking experts.
