After being involved in a car accident, it is essential that you file a claim with your insurance company as quickly as possible. But be forewarned, you are probably going to get a call from an insurance adjuster in the days to follow. These representatives are employed by the insurance company to investigate the validity of your claim. These people are also highly trained to use various tactics to try and decrease the value of your claim, or deny it entirely.
Those who have been in a car accident are advised to have a car accident lawyer, like a car accident lawyer in Longwood, FL, oversee how their claim is being handled so they are protected from being taken advantage of during this process.
Insurance Adjuster Strategies
Insurance adjusters may be eager to speak with victims of car accidents so that they can obtain the information they need to use it against them. An adjuster may twist your statements in such a way so they can offer you a settlement that is much too low. Of course, insurance adjusters are not going to come out and say these things when they speak with you over the phone. They also do not inform you of your rights and your lawyer may advise being careful when talking with them.
An insurance adjuster may use these tactics to get the information they need:
- Pretending to be your friend.
An insurance adjuster does not have your best interest in mind when they call, nor are they concerned with whether you get what you need to recover from the accident. The adjuster may come off very friendly and ask how your day is going until you are comfortable enough to let your guard down. Don’t be fooled, though, as your words are likely to be scrutinized and twisted in ways that you didn’t mean so your claim can be denied. - Pushing for an official statement.
At some point in the conversation, the adjuster will ask you for a recorded statement, but any information you provide can be used against you. It can be particularly damaging to your claim if certain statements go against what you have said previously. The adjuster may interpret your words in such a way to make it look like you are lying. - Requesting past medical records.
An insurance adjuster will probably need medical records related to medical costs so they can compensate you for out-of-pocket expenses. However, if they try to get you to sign a document for “expansive medical authorization,” your lawyer may advise you to decline. This gives the adjuster access to your medical records from previous years, a strategy used to find some other thing to blame your injuries on. - Offering a quick settlement.
While a quick settlement offer may be tempting, it is common practice for an adjuster to offer an amount right away. The adjuster is probably hoping that you accept without fighting for more because you don’t understand how much your claim is truly worth. Your lawyer can review your losses and damages to give you an approximate monetary amount that you should seek in the settlement.
Thanks to David & Philpot, P.L. for their insight into the tactics an insurance adjuster may use after a car accident.