Were you injured in a car accident? Do you need to learn how to deal with an insurance adjuster?
If so, the answer is simple: Don’t talk to them.
Insurance adjusters use various tricks to lower or deny your claim. Their sole interest lies with the insurance company. They’re not in the business of maximizing your payout. Only an attorney can ensure you get a satisfactory amount.
This article will show you how to scare an insurance adjuster. Let’s explore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkWs_tF5l8E&list=PLkbmelaSkPlgxTJ9E5Uj0Tq4N8ZyoEPps&index=10
Don’t Be Tricked by an Insurance Adjuster: Insurance Companies Are Not On Your Side
Dealing with an insurance adjuster is a waste of time because they won’t bestow a fair sum based on the facts. They’re also not independent agents who will rule on the side of the policyholder.
Even an adjuster from your own insurance company isn’t on your side. Many people make the mistake of treating insurance carriers as agents that will champion their interests.
Your insurance company is in the business of saving money. Therefore, you may not receive the full compensation you deserve. The adjuster can even find ways to pay you no money at all.
In many instances, adjusters will help insurance companies offer the lowest payout possible. Often, the starting offer is low to the point where the final amount is still meager after extensive negotiations.
Insurance companies will only fulfill obligations according to state and federal regulations. Unfortunately, the laws allow insurance carriers to offer low payouts.
Additionally, adjusters and insurance carriers can deny your claim outright, even though you have a valid claim. A denial is illegal if you’re owed money, but it happens all too often.
To counter underhanded schemes, talk to an experienced attorney. A lawyer knows the tricks insurance companies use to save money. Moreover, legal counsel will help you assess a satisfactory sum.
They also know how to negotiate larger settlements. More importantly, they entrench themselves in the negotiation process, saving you the hassle of dealing with adjusters and insurance companies.
Accepting the First Offer
Adjusters may convince you to accept the first offer on the table. They may even claim the first offer is the final offer. However, this isn’t true.
Don’t be tricked by an insurance adjuster.
Adjusters and insurance companies often use high-pressure tactics to force victims to accept lower offers.
Locking You Into a Story
Insurance adjusters are often like police officers. They will use anything you say against you.
They’re also trained to manipulate policyholders into admitting fault unintentionally. If this happens, your carrier can deny your claim.
- Note: Avoid situations where the adjusters want to record your statement. If the adjuster or insurance company insists on a recorded statement, involve your attorney immediately. Above all, don’t sign anything until your attorney has reviewed the documents.
They can also use recorded conversations against you later. Adjusters are looking for inconsistencies in your story. You have a right to decline recorded conversations.
To avoid being tricked by an insurance adjuster, avoid talking to the adjuster at all costs. They can’t lock you into a statement and entrap you if you don’t talk to them.
The Deceiving Friendly Face
Adjusters fish for certain types of information. To get the information, they’re trained to put on a friendly face.
As a result, policyholders give sensitive information that adjusters can use against you. During friendly conversations, adjusters may ask leading questions to get a particular answer.
A friendly demeanor can place you in a false sense of security. Adjusters are typically looking for the following pieces of information:
- The extent of your injuries
- Fault admission
- Speculation about the accident
Such info can result in minimization or dismissal of your claim.
Adjusters can be friendly to the point where customers feel they don’t need an attorney.
Further, adjusters want to close your case as early as possible before you realize how serious your injuries may be. In many cases, the severity of your injury may not manifest until days or weeks later.
They’re also trained to be warm and accommodating before you get an attorney. Adjusters don’t want you to hire a Columbia personal injury lawyer.
Adjusters also try to initiate informal conversations. Informal conversations give the impression that the discussion is off the record. However, everything is on record when it comes to adjusting.
A relaxed discussion can cause you to reveal more information than necessary. You should never give an adjuster detailed information. They could use any small detail against you.
If you want to avoid being tricked by an insurance adjuster, avoid formal and informal discussions entirely. If they persist, ignore their request until you obtain legal counsel.
Don’t Get Angry
You may get angry when talking to an adjuster. Adjusters often use off-putting tactics that may anger you.
Many consumers make the mistake of getting angry with adjusters. When that happens, adjusters can deny or lower your payouts out of spite. You can avoid confrontation by not talking with them.
When Should I Talk With an Insurance Adjuster?
You should only talk to an insurance adjuster when you have an attorney. In other cases, an attorney can guide you on the right things to say so you won’t be tricked by an insurance adjuster.
Adjusters represent insurance companies. Their sole job is to minimize your claim as much as possible. They will also help the insurance company reject your claim.
The best approach is to avoid talking with adjusters as much as possible. Adjusters try to lock you into an official story and trick you into admitting fault.
Do you need more guidance on how to deal with an insurance claims adjuster in South Carolina?
Contact Burriss and Ridgeway today.
We can help.
