April 5, 2022 | Insurance Claims

Accidents can happen at any moment. There is always a possibility of something going wrong and the result may be injuries requiring extensive medical treatment. You will not only have to face the physical and psychological trauma caused by the accident but also the economic strain including hefty medical bills, loss of wages and property damage. We invest in insurance to ensure that we have a financial cushion to fall on in case of an unfortunate event. Paying insurance premiums gives us the confidence that we have an alternative to turn to incase we need it.

Insurance companies, however, aren’t always willing to pay insurance claims. In fact, they will sometimes resort to playing games in order to avoid having to pay the claim completely or reduce it and minimize their losses. Understanding the games that insurance companies play is important if you want to avoid them and successfully recover compensation.

The following are some common tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying compensation:

Pretending to be your friend

An insurance adjuster will most likely get in touch with you soon after an accident occurs. Many times these insurance adjusters may sound friendly. They may even engage you in small chat and seem genuinely interested and sympathetic. It is, however, important to keep your head on straight. This is all part of the job for insurance adjusters. They are simply doing what is required of them and what they have been trained to do. They are required to make contact and break the ice so that you feel more comfortable and are therefore more likely to say things that may jeopardize your case or agree to a fast and low settlement.

It is important to avoid engaging in conversation with the insurance adjuster. Approach your conversation with the insurance like a business transaction. It is best to refer them to your attorney in order to avoid giving any information that could be used to sabotage your claim.

Offering to settle your claim quickly

Insurance companies will try to minimize their losses by attempting to settle your claim as quickly as possible. The adjuster may offer to settle the claim for a couple of thousand dollars. Many accident victims are under incredible economic strain. They may be willing to accept the low settlement in order to access the money they need for treatment or repair of damage quickly. However, quick settlements often mean they are being cheated.

If you have been injured in an accident, it is best to consult with an attorney. An experienced attorney will estimate the value of your claim and negotiate on your behalf. They will fight to get you maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.

Denying your claim

The insurance company may take the route of simply denying the claim. Insurance companies will do all they can to avoid having to make a loss. This includes flat out denying your claim. Insurance companies know how complex it is to contest having your claim denied. They will deny your claim with the hope that you will give up and not pursue the matter any further.

If your claim is denied, all hope is not lost. You should consult with an attorney. An attorney will review your claim and the reasons the insurance company has given for denying the claim. They will help you determine the best strategy for fighting to get the compensation that is rightly yours. They will even pursue your claim to trial if needed.

Trying to get you to sign documents

Insurance companies are often eager to get your signature. They will present you with an array of documents that they will want you to sign as quickly as possible. They may even visit you in hospital to ask you to sign documents such as witness statements or standard forms under the guise of speeding up the process. In reality, these documents will likely jeopardize your chances of recovering compensation.

It is best to avoid signing anything presented to you by the insurance company without first consulting your attorney. Your attorney ought to look over the document to ensure that there are no hidden motives and that your rights are protected.

Not communicating

Insurance companies know how desperate the economic situation can be for accident victims. They will take advantage of your desperation to frustrate you. One common tactic insurance companies use to frustrate the victims is by making themselves hard to contact. They will refuse to answer your calls or tell you that the person responsible for handling your claim is unavailable.

It is important to be patient and speak with an attorney. Your attorney will know what approach to take in order to speed up the process.

Have you been injured in an accident? Is the insurance company frustrating you as you seek compensation? Contact us to speak with an experienced attorney.

Games Insurance Companies Play