Things Insurance Adjusters Won’t Tell You
by King Law
Having to deal with insurance adjusters is perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of the personal injury claims process. While your insurer may seem friendly and eager to help you, you should know that he or she may not have your best interests at heart. As you are going through the claims process, it is important that you understand how the claims process works.
If you are talking to insurance companies, here are some things that you should know:
- Insurers want to pay you as little as possible.
Insurance companies are in the business to make money, and paying out maximum settlements to clients will likely hurt their bottom lines. So don’t be surprised if they don’t pay you what you are entitled to recover by law.
- You are not obligated to provide a recorded statement.
Soon after an accident, an adjuster may contact you immediately and pressure you into giving a recorded statement. They want to catch you off guard in your most vulnerable moment so that they can catch you saying something that can hurt your claim. Refuse to provide a recorded statement and instead have them speak to your attorney instead.
- You don’t need to settle immediately.
The adjuster may try to rush a quick settlement and have you sign off on their first offer immediately so you don’t have time to think about your decisions. Although the claims process is time sensitive, you should always evaluate whether your offer is fair before accepting or signing anything.
- Your settlement is negotiable.
The first settlement offer from insurers is not their “best” offer. Insurers are trained to start out with a very low number to see if you will take the bait. There is usually room to negotiate, so consider talking to an attorney if you need help negotiating a claim.
- Insurers don’t want to go to court.
Taking a case to trial is expensive, and insurers would much rather settle a case than go through the hassle of litigation. They may not tell you this upfront because they want to scare you into accepting a low settlement.
- Insurance companies don’t want you to hire a lawyer.
In fact, insurers will try to tell you that hiring a lawyer is expensive and not worth your money. This is because they don’t want you to know what your case is actually worth. Attorneys are trained at evaluating and negotiating claims, and are able to pressure insurers into playing fair with their clients.
WE DON’T LET INSURANCE COMPANIES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR CLIENTS
At King Law, the firm is passionate about protecting injured clients from insurance companies and their tactics. The Rochester personal injury attorney is well-versed in the insurance claims process and how insurers try to deny or undervalue valid claims. When you need a proven advocate to help you navigate the injury claims process and fight for the settlement you need, turn to our team. Consultations are free.
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