When you submit an insurance claim following an accident, you anticipate the insurance company will give you a fair settlement. However, insurance companies are businesses and prefer to pay as little as possible to maintain their profit margins. They usually have several stunts to deny or lowball claims to achieve this. Knowing their approach will place you ahead of the game and enable you to avoid their actions to gain the compensation you are rightfully entitled. Here are five popular tactics to know about.
- Delayed Claims Process
Insurance companies know that economic pressures can push claimants to settle for low amounts. They usually employ delay strategies such as requests for over-documentation, delayed responses, or serial processing of the claim, to wear out victims into settling or accepting a lower figure.
If you find unjustified delays, you must be persistent and document every communication with the insurer. A lawyer can intervene to speed up the process, using the pressure of the law and keeping the company on track for any unjustified delaying maneuvers.
- Contesting Liability
They can say that your policyholder wasn’t responsible or that you were the most responsible for causing the accident. That’s how they get to pay less under comparative negligence laws, which decrease damages in proportion to your fault. If you’re in an accident in Houston, TX, working out the issues with insurance claims becomes exhausting, especially when insurers attempt to finger-point.
To avoid this, you need to bring your case based on evidence, including statements of witnesses, police reports, and surveillance recordings. A Houston car accident lawyer can help you in such a scenario by doing an intensive investigation, negotiating with the adjusters, and making your case heard through strong evidence.
- Making Lowball Offers
Insurers typically try to settle claims upfront by making a payment much less than what the claimant is entitled to. Insurers count on victims, worn out by debilitating medical bills, to accept the offer without waiting for the overall cost of the injuries. Advance settlements typically do not cover future medical care, lost wages, or the psychological impact of the accident.
Before you reach any conclusion, it is wise to consult an attorney who will analyze the actual value of your case. Lawyers know how to estimate future costs and bargain on your behalf to obtain a decent amount.
- Using Your Statements Against You
Insurance adjusters can be nice and empathetic, but they are in business to find ways to lower your claim. They may guide questions or get taped statements so that they can use your own words against you. Even an apology can be turned into a word that says blame.
It is best to keep minimal direct contact with the insurance company and never give recorded statements without an attorney. Your personal injury lawyer will do all the talking, and your rights will be guarded so nothing you say will ever be used against you.
- Disputing Medical Treatment
Your insurers can object to your injuries being as severe as you describe them or that they were caused by an underlying condition and not the accident. Insurers can deny payment for some medical interventions as excessive or unnecessary.
Having full medical records and completing all treatment orders is essential when proving your injuries. An experienced lawyer can consult with medical professionals to provide evidence on your claim’s behalf so that you receive compensation for any medical attention required.
Endnote
Insurance companies are specialists in denying or downplaying claims, but you’re in charge if you’re familiar with their tactics. The best defense is having qualified legal representation. A lawyer can manage the complexity of insurance negotiations, compile valuable evidence, and negotiate on your behalf. This increases your winning chances and fair compensation.
