June 9, 2021 | Insurance Claims

Accidents and other unexpected incidents in life can be traumatizing. It can be a great comfort to know that you can claim a settlement from an insurer to meet unexpected expenses and help you get back on your feet. Unfortunately, insurance companies are often not willing to pay claims. Like other businesses, insurance companies are all about profit. They will do all they can to avoid a loss. Paying out claims will result in the loss of money. They will therefore do all they can to avoid paying a claim.

There are many sneaky tricks that insurance companies use to avoid paying out claims. Being able to recognize these tricks will help you avoid them.

1. Telling you that you don’t need a lawyer

Insurance companies know that many claimants do not know or understand their rights. This makes you vulnerable to their sneaky tricks.

Make no mistake; while the representative from the insurance company may seem friendly and sound like they want to help you, they don’t. The insurance company is out to protect their own interests. Your best chance of getting a fair settlement for your claim is to hire a lawyer that knows your rights and will fight to defend them.

2. Denying your claim

This is the fastest and easiest way for insurance companies to avoid paying a claim. They just say no when you file a claim. This is especially common where injuries aren’t apparent or when fault is not easy to establish (such as in a multiple car accident). Insurance companies will say that there were no damages or that their client was not responsible for your injuries.

Some victims will take this and give up. However, this is just a tactic to avoid paying. It is important to pursue your claim what is rightly yours.

3. Downplaying injuries

If the insurance company is not successful at denying your injuries or damages, they will try to minimize their severity. This is done in an attempt to minimize the amount that they will have to pay you. This often happens when your injuries are those that can heal over a short period such as whiplash, soft tissue injuries or broken bones. However, the reality is that injuries can become chronic. The impact of an accident also extends beyond physical injuries. Many victims are traumatized and have to live with the trauma for the rest of their lives.

It doesn’t matter whether your physical injuries or the physical damage suffered is severe or not. It is your right to be compensated. An experienced attorney will know the best approach to take to get the best compensation.

4. Using your words against you

An accident can change your life in a split second. Many victims of accidents are in shock for a long while after the accident. It is impossible for victims to remember every detail of the accident. They may also be in a daze and may not be in the right state of mind to answer questions. Insurance companies take advantage of this to attempt to get information from victims that they can use to deny the claim. They will try to contact the victim directly and use statements such as ‘I’m fine’ or ‘I’m sorry’ as grounds to reduce or dismiss your claim.

It is important not to speak to the insurance company directly. You should refer them to your lawyer. Your attorney will handle all communication with the attorney. They will also advise you on what to do to avoid ruining your chances of obtaining compensation.

5. Confusing the victim

Unless you’re an attorney, there’s a good chance that you don’t understand legal jargon. Insurance companies know that most accident victims don’t understand legal speak either. They take advantage of this in the written documents that they use. You may be presented with documents that are designed to confuse you. Reading through the document may seem like reading a foreign language. You may overlook details that could result in low settlements or even denial of the claim.

An experienced attorney will guide you through the entire claims process. They will be responsible for all communications with the insurance company and therefore go through all documents to protect your interests.

6. Delaying the outcome

Making a claim for compensation is time-sensitive. Insurance companies know this and will try to delay the outcome for as long as possible. Insurance companies may use delay tactics such as lengthening the applications process or stonewalling you until the statute of limitations runs out. They may also use these delay tactics in the hope that the victim of the accident will die and hope that no one will pursue the claim after their death.

An experienced attorney will recognize these delay tactics and put pressure on the insurance company to settle the claim as quickly as possible.

If you want to file a claim, it is best to involve an attorney right from the start and avoid the sneaky tricks that insurance companies use to avoid paying claims. Get in touch with us to review your claim. We’ll fight for your compensation to the bitter end.

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