Have you been injured in an accident? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.
Insurance adjusters are responsible for investigating and settling claims on behalf of insurance companies. While they may seem helpful, their primary goal is to minimize the amount the insurance company pays out. To achieve this, they may employ various tactics to quickly close your claim.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the common tactics insurance adjusters use to expedite claim closure and how you can protect your rights.
Delay Tactics
Delay Tactics
Insurance adjusters may employ various tactics to delay your claim. These include:
- Ignoring or Delaying Responses: Adjusters may avoid responding to your calls, emails, or letters, or they may take weeks or even months to provide a response.
- Requesting Excessive Documentation: Adjusters may demand numerous documents, such as medical records, police reports, and witness statements, often going beyond what is reasonably necessary to process your claim.
- Scheduling Difficulties: Adjusters may schedule appointments or medical examinations at inconvenient times, making it difficult for you to attend.
Lowball Offers
Once the adjuster has gathered information about your claim, they may make a lowball offer. This is a tactic to settle your claim quickly and for less than its worth. They may:
- Underestimate Damages: Adjusters may undervalue your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Pressure for Quick Settlements: Adjusters may pressure you to settle your claim quickly by emphasizing the uncertainty of litigation or the potential costs of a trial.
Minimizing Liability
Another common tactic used by insurance adjusters is to minimize their liability. This may involve:
- Questioning the Claim: Adjusters may challenge the validity of your claim by scrutinizing details and seeking inconsistencies in your statements.
- Blaming the Claimant: Adjusters may try to shift blame onto you by highlighting any minor mistakes or oversights on your part.
- Denying Coverage: Adjusters may claim that your injuries or damages are not covered by your insurance policy.
The Role of an Attorney
To protect your rights and maximize your compensation, consulting with a personal injury attorney is crucial. An attorney can:
- Protect Your Rights: Level the playing field by ensuring the insurance company treats you fairly.
- Negotiate Effectively: Negotiate with the insurance adjuster to secure a fair settlement.
- Litigate Your Claim: If negotiations fail, your attorney can file a lawsuit to pursue your claim in court.
Empowering Claimants
Insurance adjusters often use tactics to delay claims, minimize liability, and offer low settlements. These tactics can include ignoring or delaying responses, requesting excessive documentation, scheduling difficulties, underestimating damages, pressuring for quick settlements, questioning the claim, blaming the claimant, and denying coverage.
By understanding these tactics, you can protect your rights and ensure a fair outcome. It’s crucial to be patient, document everything, and seek legal advice from a qualified personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you navigate the complex legal process, negotiate with the insurance company, and, if necessary, litigate your claim.
