Common Insurance Adjuster Tactics
Look Out for these Common Insurance Adjuster Tactics and Make Sure You are on Your Guard!
If you or a family member suffered a serious personal injury, it is possible that you may have already talked to an insurance adjuster. Insurance adjusters get involved so quickly that they may have already taken what they need from you before you even think about hiring an attorney.
Just remember: no matter what they say, insurance adjusters are not your friends. Their intent is to push you into a lowball settlement offer quickly and cheaply, without any consideration for your pain and suffering, or your future medical needs.
Filing An Insurance Claim
When filing an insurance claim after a car accident, it is important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. They will provide you with detailed instructions on how to proceed with the insurance claim.
Generally, the insurance company will require you to provide all your medical records for any injuries sustained in the accident. The insurance company will then assign an insurance claims adjuster to investigate the circumstances of the accident and assess the damage.
The insurance claims adjuster will review the medical records and other evidence from the accident to determine fault and the amount of compensation that is due. They may also request additional documents including police reports, witness statements, your recorded statement, and photographs. Once the adjuster has gathered all of the necessary information, they will make a determination as to who should receive compensation from the insurance company.
The adjuster will contact you with the outcome of the insurance claim. If the adjuster finds that you are entitled to compensation, they will advise you on the amount of money that you will receive and how you can receive the funds. The insurance company typically pays out the insurance claim quickly, though the time frame can vary depending on the complexity of the case.
If you have any questions or concerns about the process of filing an insurance claim after a car accident, you should contact your insurance company. They will be able to provide you with further guidance on the insurance claim process and answer any questions that you may have.
Personal Injury In Collisions
A car crash that warrants a personal injury lawsuit is one in which a person sustains serious injuries due to the negligence of another party. In a standard car crash, the insurance claim process is fairly straightforward and insurance carriers will typically cover the damages. However, if the car crash involves serious injuries, it may be necessary to seek legal representation from an attorney in order to ensure that your rights are protected.
The Claims Process
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you to navigate the claims process and ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. They can also help you to understand the limits of your insurance coverage and assess any potential legal action that you may have. An experienced attorney can provide you with the legal advice needed to make informed decisions about your case.
Settlements In The Legal Process
An experienced personal injury attorney can also help to ensure that you receive fair compensation from the responsible party. In some cases, the responsible party may be willing to settle the claim out of court, while in other cases the case may need to proceed to court in order to obtain an adequate amount of compensation. Your legal representation can help you to understand the legal process and your rights throughout the entire process.
What Does an Insurance Adjuster Do?
Insurance adjusters look out for the insurance company, working to make them profitable. They try to lessen your damages, thereby reducing the amount they pay you in the settlement. They try to find ways to get out of paying personal injury claims and keeping the money for their company. Adjusters try to settle the case before you know that you are injured or before you get adequate medical treatment or advice from a lawyer.
Roles And Responsibilities
After assessing the accident scene, they contact the policyholder and any other parties involved to gather additional information. Claims adjusters also contact and negotiate with repair shops, rental car companies, and other vendors to determine the cost of repairs or replacement and develop a settlement agreement. They also review the policyholder’s coverage to determine the maximum amount of the injury claim. Once the claim is finalized, they issue payments to the policyholder and other parties. Claims adjusters must stay up to date on changes in state and federal laws and regulations related to car accident insurance claims.
How Do They Do It?
The most common tactic involves getting access to the injured policyholder’s medical records. If you have any prior medical conditions, they may claim that it – not your recent accident – is the cause of your injury.
The insurance adjuster will then contact the insured party, and any other involved parties, to discuss the injury claim and to obtain more information. After all the necessary facts have been collected, the insurance adjuster will analyze the evidence and determine the amount of compensation to be paid. The insurance adjuster will also make recommendations to the insurance company on how to settle the insurance claim.
Insurance adjusters must have a thorough understanding of insurance policies, procedures, and laws in order to properly assess each case. Insurance adjusters must also have excellent communication and problem-solving skills to effectively communicate with insurance claimants and other parties involved in the claim. Additionally, insurance adjusters must be able to analyze large amounts of data and make sound decisions.
Insurance claims adjusters may be employed by a single insurance company or may be independent contractors who work for multiple insurance companies. The job of an insurance claims adjuster can be very demanding, as they must be able to handle a large volume of claims and work long hours. Insurance adjusters must also be able to handle a variety of claims, ranging from minor to more complex cases.
For example, say you had a back spasm six years ago while weeding the garden. Yesterday, you seriously injured your back in a car accident. The insurance adjuster might say something to like:
“Yesterday’s accident has nothing to do with your injury! You’ve had a pre exisiting condition for six years and now you’re trying to take advantage of the insurance company!”
Then they call you greedy and accuse you of fraud.
Another tactic would be to ask if you are still being treated for these injuries. They might ask, “Surely you’re not still being treated for this accident?” They encourage you to cut off medical treatment, leading you to believe that any further treatment would be unreasonable and not covered so they would not pay for it. Fear of insurance not paying for medical treatment causes some people to settle too quickly, even before a firm diagnosis is obtained from their doctor.
How Can I Make Sure My Claims Adjuster Is Being Fair?
It is important to be aware of the tactics that some insurance companies and insurance adjusters may use to swindle you out of compensation. Insurance companies may attempt to deny or delay a claim, or provide inadequate coverage for the medical expenses and damages incurred. Insurance adjusters may also try to manipulate the facts of the incident to minimize the amount of compensation paid out.
Insurance companies and insurance adjusters may also use medical records to their advantage. Insurance adjusters may attempt to limit the amount of compensation paid out by only considering evidence that benefits the insurance company. They may also refuse to consider medical evidence that suggests a certain injury was caused by the incident or that the extent of the injury is more severe than initially thought.
Insurance claims adjusters may also attempt to use the insured’s own words against them. They may ask leading questions designed to elicit a certain response or quote the claimant out of context in order to minimize the amount of compensation paid out. Many insurance adjusters may also attempt to intimidate the claimant or make them feel guilty for submitting a claim.
When dealing with insurance companies and insurance adjusters, it is important to be aware of the tactics that some may use to swindle you out of compensation. It is also important to be organized and to document all communication with the insurance adjuster in order to protect your rights. Finally, it is recommended to seek the help of an experienced lawyer if the insurance adjuster is not giving a good settlement offer.
You can combat these tactics by being aware of what is happening and documenting all interactions with the insurance company and insurance adjuster. It is also important to have a lawyer on your side who can help you negotiate a fair settlement.
Is There Anything I Can Do?
Yes. The insurance adjuster can’t access your medical records without your permission. They usually obtain that permission by approaching the injured party shortly after the accident, while the trauma is still fresh.
They come with a smile, a contract, and a pen. Do not give permission!
When it comes to sharing their medical records, individuals have certain rights. For instance, they have the right to request and receive a copy of any medical bills related to their personal injury. This includes bills for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and other related costs. Individuals also have the right to consult with a personal injury attorney to understand their legal rights and obligations under the law. Furthermore, individuals can refuse to answer questions posed by insurance adjusters or provide any information that could be used against them. Tactics insurance adjusters may use, such as asking for access to medical records, can be avoided by consulting with a personal injury attorney.
Additionally, individuals have the right to keep their medical bills and information private. They should never share their medical records with anyone, including an insurance agent, without their consent. Individuals should also make sure that any medical records they share are accurate, up-to-date, and complete. By understanding their rights when it comes to sharing their medical records, individuals can protect themselves from tactics insurance adjusters may use to reduce the number of their claims.
This detail can help you if you have adjusters poking around for information. They may try to convince you that they have a right to those records for investigation purposes, but in the end, you are in the best position to make that call.
Do I Need an Attorney?
If you want a fair settlement that covers everything you are entitled to by law, it makes sense to have trained professionals looking out for your best interest. At Mitch Grissim & Associates, we have the experience and skill to help.
For a free consultation at our office in the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee, call 615-255-9999. You can also contact us online and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
