After a car accident, many victims call their insurance companies to report the incident so they can start the successful processing of their claims. Depending on the insurance type, your insurer should cover your injury costs, property damage, and other associated costs covered in the policy. However, not all insurance claims are always successfully paid, and even those that are, victims have to engage in long back-and-forth follow-ups.
If you have active car insurance, it’s important to know what tactics insurance companies employ to deny car accident claims in case of an accident. Here are a few common tactics to check out.
Delaying the Compensation Process
This deliberate move is always aimed at frustrating car accident victims so they can probably give up pursuing the compensation. The company might employ underhanded actions toward your case, such as:
- Failing to prioritize and act on your claim with enough speed
- Taking months or weeks to respond to your enquiries
- Asking for unnecessary paperwork
Since accident injury compensations are time-sensitive concerns, extended delay in compensation might push you to desperation, prompting you to settle for less than you deserve. However, with a good car accident lawyer, you can push for a quick and rewarding compensation process that covers most, if not all, of your claims on time.
Offering Low or Quick Settlements
To appear as though your insurance company cares about your urgent compensation needs, they’ll offer a quick and tempting settlement offer to lure you. This is often a trap that, once you accept, keeps them from paying the real value of the claim, so you end up lowballed. Insurance companies know that once you accept a settlement from them, it’s almost impossible to revisit the case for better compensation.
The insurance company also knows many people would rather have cash now, regardless of the amount, than wait for endless follow-ups to get the right compensation later. They’ll offer the low, immediate cash that you’re most likely to accept given the ultimatums created around it. However, you don’t have to worry about an offer expiring, as it will always stand until you claim it. You can also use a lawyer’s help to pursue the rightful claim, so there’s no need to rush into signing an offer immediately it’s presented.
Asking for a Recorded Statement
Everything can happen so fast after an accident, and because this is your moment of vulnerability, you may end up saying too much or too little in a recorded statement when asked to give one. That is why recording a statement after an accident may not always be a great idea, especially if it’s an insurance adjuster asking you to do so. Insurance adjusters’ primary concern is to lower the payout as much as possible, and they’ll do anything possible, including using your statement against you, to achieve their goal.
For example, the adjuster might ask you about your injuries immediately after the accident, when you’ve not probably seen a doctor to assess the extent of your injuries. Giving a recorded statement about your injuries at the moment might not be accurate, but since it’s recorded, the adjuster may use it against you to argue for a lower payout. You should respectfully refuse to give any statement until you’ve consulted your attorney.
Navigating a successful accident claim can be challenging, but approaching it with patience and an understanding of your rightful position can be rewarding. Check for the instances of these tactics when you speak to your insurer and counter them immediately for optimal compensation.
