Working with insurance adjusters should not be a complicated process, but far too often, it becomes contentious. Insurance adjusters receive the task of working with injured parties through the claims-filing process, but their primary focus is on the insurance company’s profits first.
Unfortunately, insurance adjusters are not ashamed to lie to claimants, even when there is a rightful claim based on negligence and the need for compensation. As a claimant, it’s essential to recommend the secrets insurance adjusters keep from you to minimize or deny your claim.
Here are five secrets insurance adjusters keep from you when you need compensation:
- A fair settlement offer is not always fair to you.
- The first offer is often meant to feel out your demands.
- You can have an attorney before an insurance adjuster reaches out to you.
- The insurance adjusters want you to trust their word.
- Your compensation can include more losses than insurance adjusters allow.
If you need help filing a claim, call our firm today at (916) 476-2399.
1. A Fair Settlement Is Not Always Fair to You
When insurance adjusters offer you a “fair” settlement, the term fair is subjectable. In most situations, it’s fair to the insurance company because it helps them save money. It doesn’t always mean that it’s fair to you, and it hardly ever covers your needs. If you receive a settlement offer, be sure to inspect it carefully to ensure it covers all losses you’ve experienced.
2. The First Offer Is a Feeling Out Process
The first offer you receive from an insurance adjuster is not the final amount you can expect to recover. You may have your demands, and the first offer is often the insurance adjuster’s way of determining if they can get you to settle for less. They want to know if you’ll try to negotiate, so it’s best to speak with legal counsel before accepting any offer, especially the first offer.
3. Have an Attorney When Speaking with Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters are tricky. They have more than just secrets; they have proven tactics they use to minimize the compensation they give out or deny claims. You need to level the playing field as much as possible. Working with legal counsel allows you to focus on your recovery while your attorney handles some of the more complex negotiations and legal processes on your behalf.
4. Insurance Adjusters Act Friendly for You to Trust Them
One very important thing to remember about many insurance adjusters: they put on an act. They appear to be friendly and empathetic to your situation, but they still have to keep profits in mind. As such, they’ll act like they are on your side and tell you things they think you want to hear, so you will accept anything they offer you.
5. Evaluation of Your Compensation Varies
Insurance adjusters investigate your claim and place a value on your losses. However, their evaluation can be much different if they don’t include all losses or properly value property damage. Instead of trusting evaluations made by insurance adjusters, have your legal team use resources to analyze the true value of your claim.
As a plaintiff, you have the burden of proof to show that the other driver was negligent and responsible for your losses. Instead of trying to navigate this complex process on your own, it’s best to have an experienced Sacramento car accident lawyer to guide you along the way.
At Piering Law Firm, we focus on your rights. Trust that we’ll be there for you when you need us most, allowing you to focus on your physical recovery while we handle the legal matters on your behalf. We don’t back down from large insurance companies because we know they try to take advantage of vulnerable situations.
Call us today at (916) 476-2399 and learn what rights you have with our skilled team on your side.