When you’re involved in an accident, an insurance company is usually the one responsible for compensating you for your losses. Unfortunately, insurance companies have the upper hand. There are a few things they don’t want you to know that could make the claims process simple and efficient. Find out these tricks and use them to get the payout you deserve.
1. You Can and Should Hire an Attorney
One thing the insurance companies don’t want you to know is that you can and should seek legal representation. When most people think of lawyers, they think of lawsuits. But an attorney doesn’t always file a lawsuit. Rather, they can negotiate with the insurance companies to get you the money you deserve.
Additionally, you should be aware that the insurance companies have their own lawyers ready to fight you. Why not beat them at their own game? By working with an experienced lawyer, you improve your chances of getting a positive outcome.
2. The Insurance Adjuster is Not There for You
When dealing with an insurance company, you will get your own insurance adjuster. At first, they might make it seem as if the adjuster is there for you. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. No matter how friendly the adjuster may seem, they are there for the benefit of the insurance company.
The less money an insurance adjuster gives to claimants, the better they are at their job. If the insurance company paid out on every claim, they would be broke and go out of business. The adjuster is there to protect the best interest of the insurance company and not your best interest.
3. Recorded Statements are Dangerous
During the claims process, an insurance company will ask you to make a recorded statement. While it might seem innocent, the statement could hurt your case. They analyze every word and expect you to take some degree of fault. Additionally, they want you to admit that your injuries are minor and inconsequential.
What the insurance company will not tell you is that you don’t have to make a recorded statement. Before you go on the record, you can consult with an attorney. It’s well within your rights to decline the statement and tell them you want to speak with your lawyer before proceeding.
4. The Insurance Adjuster Might Manipulate You
Insurance adjusters aren’t always truthful. For instance, the adjuster could tell you that you aren’t eligible for back injury compensation because you already had back problems prior to the accident. Although this isn’t true, they want you to believe it.
It’s never a good idea to take an insurance adjuster’s words at face value. Instead, you should get the facts about compensation from a reputable source. An experienced attorney will be able to tell you more about the money you are entitled to.
5. Insurance Companies are Expert Negotiators
More specifically, the insurance adjusters are expert negotiators who have spent years perfecting the art of negotiation. They will use every trick in the book to get you to accept less money than you deserve. Unless you have training in negotiating, you don’t stand a chance against them.
In 2017,the insurance industry in the United States made $1.2 trillion in premiums. The industry is about making money and not about helping victims. If you’re up against an insurance company, the odds are stacked against you. To overcome them, you should work with an aggressive lawyer. Abercrombie, P.A. has spent years fighting large insurance companies.
