Want to know what insurance companies can do to exploit you? Unfortunately, when injured parties need compensation after a car accident, they are often met with contention from insurance adjusters. While insurance companies must help claimants who pay monthly premiums, they often prioritize profits over people. As such, they use various tactics to take advantage of a vulnerable situation.
If you suffer injuries in a car accident, it helps to know what tactics insurance adjusters use to minimize and deny claims. If you know how insurance companies respond to claims, you can take steps to protect your rights through the entire process.
Here are some of the ways insurance companies take advantage of claimants:
- Using recorded statements against claimants
- Diminishing the value of losses
- Acting friendlier than they are
If you have a claim to seek compensation, we encourage you to call our firm at today.
Using Recorded Statements Against Claimants
Insurance adjusters often request that you provide a recorded statement detailing the incident and what happened to cause the crash. Keep in mind that insurance adjusters can use your recorded statement against you, so be cautious regarding what you say.
Before you provide any recorded statements, be sure to speak with a lawyer. You don’t have to give the recorded statement alone. Instead, have the insurance adjusters talk with your legal team to protect your rights. If your recorded statement contradicts your original report, it can give insurance adjusters a reason to deny your claim.
Diminishing the Value of Losses
While some of your losses can be easy to prove (medical bills, lost wages, etc.), insurance adjusters may value some of your damages much differently than you would. For instance, insurance adjusters may value your vehicle repairs much less than a mechanic would.
You may recover compensation for the emotional trauma you endure as part of the crash. Insurance adjusters are often hesitant to offer you the correct amount for your pain and suffering. It’s often on your legal team to present a strong case for your non-economic losses.
Unfortunately, if you’re unsure how much you should recover for specific losses, it’s easy to accept whatever settlement the insurance company offers you. Be sure to speak with a lawyer before accepting anything. A lawyer can help you know if the offer covers all of your losses.
Acting Friendlier Than They Are
When you call insurance adjusters, they act friendly. They’ll sympathize with your situation, saying how sorry they are that you experienced a crash. Unfortunately, they want you to believe everything they say and go through the process without having a lawyer on your side.
Don’t always believe what insurance adjusters tell you. They are looking out for the company they work for, which means they prioritize income over paying out compensation. They may tell you that you don’t need a lawyer so they can take advantage of your rights.
Make sure insurance adjusters are honest and fair, so get a lawyer on your side. The quicker you act, the better it is for your case. A lawyer can file your claim on your behalf to pursue the maximum compensation available to you.
At Jeff Metler, Attorney at Law, we work on your behalf. We fight to protect you from devious tactics insurance companies often try to use against claimants. We put people first, which means when you hire our team, you can feel confident that we’re looking out for your best interests.
Our Utah car accident attorney stands on your side every step of the way. We will go above and beyond to help you understand your options. If insurance adjusters are trying to take advantage of your situation, know that we’ll be in your corner, pushing them to pay a fair settlement when you need it most.