Trick or treating may have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your eyes out for some other common tricks that someone may attempt to pull on you. Insurance companies didn’t become profit giants by greenlighting every claim that comes across their desk, and even when you have a legitimate claim, they may still attempt to use a few tricks to limit their liability and your payout. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the common tricks insurance adjusters may attempt to use to limit your claim award amount.
Watch Out For These Insurance Adjuster Tricks
By connecting with a workers’ compensation or personal injury lawyer, you can easily avoid all of the following tricks. Your lawyer can help you avoid getting taken advantage of and earn you the biggest payday possible. Here’s a look at some of the ways insurance adjusters try to trick you.
Not Returning Calls/Emails – You want the money you’re entitled to and you want it as soon as possible, but insurance adjusters love to take their sweet old time. By slowing down the process, you’re more likely to jump on a lowball offer because bills are starting to pile up on your end. We’ll stay on them and ensure the process moves along as quickly as possible.
Demanding A Recorded Statement – Even though it’s not a criminal process, anything you say can and will be used against you, so you need to watch what you say. An insurance adjuster may contact you out of the blue and ask or even demand that you provide answers on a recorded line. They may be entitled to a statement, but it can come on your time. Make sure you speak with a lawyer before giving a statement if you’re filing a no fault insurance claim with your insurance. If another party wants you to give a recorded statement to their insurance provider, you may not be legally required to do so, and again should consult with your attorney beforehand.
Pretending To Be Your Friend – Some insurance adjusters may try to come off as a friend or an ally in your quest for compensation. While we hope that your conversation is cordial, never forget that the person you are talking to is getting paid by a company who has a vested interest in getting you as little compensation as possible. They are not your friend. Don’t say anything to the adjuster that could hurt your case, don’t let your guard down when giving a statement, and don’t assume they have your best interests at heart. Your attorney is your most reliable source throughout the process, not the adjuster.
Putting A Timeline On An Offer – One final trick that insurance companies like to use when it comes to paying out compensation is by making it seem like the offer will disappear if the injured party doesn’t act swiftly. They know that you have accumulating bills and that you want the money you are entitled to, so they may say things like “the offer is only good until Friday,” or “Here’s our offer, but we’ll pull it if you bring in professional legal counsel.” Don’t rush to a decision or do things without a lawyer because you’re letting the insurance adjuster dictate the timeline. If they are trying to rush to settle, it’s likely because they know you could get a lot more money if you countered or took the case to trial. It can actually be a good sign if an insurance company is trying to get you to rush to a deal, as long as you bring this information to a lawyer.
These are just a few of the most common tricks we’ve seen insurance companies and adjusters try to pull over on their clients, and we don’t want to see you harmed by these actions. Instead, pick up the phone and connect with a lawyer who has a vested interest in getting you the biggest payday possible and who is well-versed in all the moves a savvy insurance adjuster will try to make. For more information, or to talk to an injury lawyer, give Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm a call today at (952) 230-2700.
