After you have been in an accident, dealing with an insurance company can be emotionally daunting. Knowing how to scare insurance adjusters to make sure you get a fair claim settlement offer is crucial in the event of a car accident.
It is important to remember that insurance companies are still going to try to make a profit. They are for-profit entities, and the more money they have to pay out, the less money they will make. They try to do everything to save money & settle claims quickly.
Our car accident attorneys have years of experience with legal advice for these cases, so we understand an adjuster’s tactics and the insurance claim process. The best way to scare insurance carriers or adjusters is to have an auto insurance attorney by your side to fight for you. You should not settle for less.
Understanding What Insurance Adjusters Do
Insurance adjusters will inspect and evaluate your damage after an accident. Remember that insurance companies are not working in your best interests. They will look at the damage to see how they can minimize their costs. They are trying to offer the lowest payout they possibly can.
When you first speak with the insurance claims adjuster, you may be surprised at how they will try to hold the accident against you or even accuse you of insurance fraud. These are some common tactics used to evaluate the full extent of your injuries (and still turn a profit):
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What To Look Out For Over the Phone
You should always be careful when the insurance company calls you immediately following the accident. Accidents are traumatic and take some time to process and recover from. Most insurance adjusters take advantage of this by contacting you not long after the accident.
In a phone call, be sure to politely refuse to discuss the facts. You can share the basics, such as where and when the accident took place and the vehicles involved. But you should let them know that the investigation is still underway. Do not share anything too specific or conversational.
When they call, insurance company claims adjusters might ask you to give a recorded statement. While you may think this is harmless & for informational purposes, remember that adjusters can hold everything against you. It is not unusual for the agents to replay the recorded statements until they will find more information to use against you. Do not agree to any recorded statements.
What Not to Say to an Insurance Adjuster
Remember that the insurance claim adjuster works for the insurance company of the at-fault party. They will do everything they can to reduce the settlement amount you will be paid after your accident. One way they do this is by trying to get you to admit some liability.
Do not answer any questions asking if there was anything you could have done to avoid the accident. They may try to ask if there was anything else you could have done. They may also cite external factors like the weather.
The best way to combat this is to direct an insurance adjuster to your attorney. This way, they can not hold anything you say against you.
Being Careful of What You Post on Social Media
Insurance adjusters also may be monitoring any public social media accounts you have. Even if the photo is an old favorite, refrain from posting anything online. Be careful with anything you post to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram after an accident that could make it look like you are not injured.
Insurance adjusters may even monitor you from in front of your home. Sometimes they will hire a private investigator. Remember to take it easy as you recover. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family. Even if it is a simple task like getting the mail, they could use that to say your injuries are not severe.
How to Negotiate with Insurance Adjusters
When it comes to the negotiation process, you need to know a few crucial factors before you begin. First, you should see if you are dealing with first-party benefits or third-party benefits. First-party benefits are through your auto insurance. Third-party benefits come from the insurance company that insures the person who hit you.
It can also be helpful to know the value of your vehicle. Claims adjusters will determine how much it will cost to repair your car. But knowing the actual value of your car can help you when you negotiate for a more fair claim.
An insurance company’s first offer will most likely be extremely low. Do not accept this initial offer. When negotiating, you should keep these factors in mind:
You should use these factors to determine the absolute bare minimum you would accept in a settlement agreement. Our team of personal injury attorneys can help you determine what your minimum settlement should be.
Get The Compensation You Deserve
Your personal injury settlement can include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damages, and your pain and suffering. It is critical for accident victims to have proper representation. When you partner with our personal injury attorney, we will make sure insurance adjusters give you everything you are entitled to.
Contact our law firm to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer & get legal advice. We offer free consultations where we can review your case. We want to help you determine if we are the best fit to fight for you. Our team represents clients in the Hillsborough County area.