The brutal truth is that insurance companies exist to make money, so they're never inclined to pay a penny more on a car accident claim than they must. In fact, it isn't uncommon for the insurance company responsible for your claim to throw out a lowball offer or two just to see if they can get you to accept it. How do you know the difference between a fair offer and a lousy one?
Two Major Ways Insurance Companies Try to Devalue Car Wreck Claims
Truth be told, insurance adjusters have a lot of different tricks they can use on the unwary, from outright denying liability entirely to blaming someone's injuries on a pre-existing condition. However, two of their favorite methods of getting a lowball offer accepted include the following.
1. They make a settlement offer really quickly
Insurance companies are very conscious of the fact that injury victims are usually a little worried about their finances. Between medical bills and time off work while you heal, you may have already accumulated a big pile of bills. If you have a particularly strong claim, the insurer may try to take advantage of the situation and leverage your worry against the promise of a quick settlement that's well below your claim's value.
2. They imply that you are partially to blame for the accident or your injuries
An insurance company doesn't have to outright deny liability for a claim just to try to get out of paying what you're due. Instead, they may heavily imply that you're at least somewhat responsible for the wreck or your injuries. In many states, comparative negligence can be used to reduce your claim. A persuasive claims adjuster can easily make someone think they'd better settle before they miss their chance to get any damages, so this is a powerful intimidation tactic.
Remember: Once you accept a settlement offer from an insurance company, you can't reopen the claim — even if it turns out that your settlement is far too low to cover your losses. The best way to protect your interests (and your financial future) is to discuss the particulars of your claim with a car accident injury attorney. They have the experience to understand how much your claim is really worth, and they can leverage that knowledge to make the insurance company pay up. Speak with a local car accident lawyer to see if you have a case.
Share20 September 2021
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