How often do we see this in our legal offices? An accident victim feels discouraged because an insurance company told them, “At most, you can get X amount of money in your situation.” However, that amount often doesn’t even cover medical expenses, lost wages, or property damage.
It’s well-known that insurance adjusters are experts at reducing the compensation their company has to pay for accidents. Did you know that they use tactics specifically designed to minimize your payout? These include low initial offers, delays in the process to pressure you, and requests for statements that could harm your case. In this article, we’ll dive into these tactics in detail so you can stay informed and avoid their traps.
Using an Attorney
Insurance company representatives often enlist an attorney to draft an “opinion letter” that declares and justifies a much lower amount, setting the stage for negotiations to start from an unfairly low baseline.
Shifting Blame
Sometimes, they may try to convince the accident victim that they bear partial responsibility for the incident. In states with comparative negligence laws, adjusters use legal arguments to make victims doubt themselves, implying that refusing the initial offer and pursuing an investigation could result in losing compensation and being held liable for the accident.
Dragging Out Timelines and Processes
This is something they excel at. Insurance companies can afford to play the long game as financially stable entities. Delays, rescheduled meetings, or slow responses to claims are manipulative tactics designed to exploit victims’ financial needs and pressure them into accepting unfairly low offers.
False Settlement Authorities
We’ve seen cases where supervisors or attorneys are presented as authoritative voices to justify or defend the settlement amounts offered by the insurance company. Remember, in the worst-case scenario, a judge—not the insurance company—will determine the final amount.
By being aware of these techniques and seeking the support of our legal team, you can avoid falling into their traps. With our help, you’ll receive the compensation you truly deserve.