The Do?s (and Don?ts) When Dealing with an Insurance Company After an Accident

Insurance Adjusters Are Trained Negotiators

Accept this fact now: The insurance adjuster on the phone with you does NOT have your best interest at heart! Period! You need to remind yourself that you are dealing with an insurance company representative who is trained to save money for his/her employer, the insurance company, and they accomplish this by paying you as little as possible on your claim.

Sadly, this also applies to your insurance company?s adjuster, the one your premium dollars go to pay for. So, even though they will sound kind, caring, and helpful, as they are trained to be, know that when it comes to paying you, they will nickel and dime you and use their training and negotiations skills to get you to take less than you legally are entitled to and deserve.

Don?t Pour Your Heart Out to Them Until You Have Consulted with an Attorney

Know that when you open your mouth to an insurance adjuster, from that very first call to report your claim, what you say may, can, and WILL be used against you, whether in settling our claim or in court. All calls are recorded, and adjusters take careful notes. So, whether it relates to the accident, or other matters concerning your coverage (i.e., what you put down on your application when you first purchased your insurance), talking to them may jeopardize your claim and diminish the value of your case.

So, please do yourself a favor. Before you even call to open a claim, consult with an attorney who specializes in this area of the law and can advise you on your legal rights. Most accident lawyers will give you a free consultation, so you have nothing to lose, and all to gain. Even if the insurance adjuster calls you, politely tell them that you do not wish to discuss the details of your claim until you have had a chance to seek legal advice. Don?t worry, they are used to it.

If You Are Injured, Don?t Give Them a Full Release of Your Medical Records

If you are presenting an injury claim, insurance adjusters will routinely ask that you sign a Release of Medical Records form so that they can get your medical records to evaluate your injury claim. This gives them access to ALL of your private and confidential medical records, even those pre-dating the accident. Don?t sign that Release. Either tell them that you will obtain the records yourself and provide it to them, or ask them to limit the release to only records concerning this accident and nothing else, certainly not what you confidentially disclosed to your doctor 10 years ago about a totally unrelated matter.

Don?t Jump at the Adjuster?s First Offer

Your claim is always worth more than what the adjusters will offer you, certainly more than their first, or even second offer. The majority of the time, it takes at least five to six rounds of negotiation to reach a settlement that you are content with, one that you deserve. Therefore, go slow. Consider all of your losses: the damage to your car, the diminished value of your car now after an accident, rental car expenses, past and future loss of income, past and future medical bills, and last but not least, fair compensation for your pain and suffering, the mental anguish of dealing with your injuries. All of those have a monetary value.

So, don?t jump at the initial offers. They will act as if they are doing you a favor or giving you a handout, or a gift. Don?t fall for their games. Make sure that you calculate your claim correctly and fairly because once you sign on the dotted line and take the money, there is no going back.

Call Us Immediately For a Free Consultation

We are here to give you an honest assessment of your claim and damages. Consultation is free, and we love to help. So, you have nothing to lose by calling us. My guarantee.

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