5 Games Insurance Adjusters Play

Insurance adjusters will try to minimize the amount they have to pay on claims or look for reasons to deny the claim altogether. They are trained to use different strategies to protect the insurance company’s profits at your expense.

Games insurance adjusters play include:

• Delaying settlements
• Underestimating damages
• Offering low settlements
• Using your statements against you
• Questioning the medical necessity of your treatment

The insurance company is not your friend. Despite their seemingly friendly attitude, adjusters are, in fact, looking for ways to give you less than you need. They want to make you feel comfortable, so you drop your guard down. Claim adjusters know you are vulnerable after an accident and will not hesitate to use anything you say against you.

To protect your interests, hire an experienced Norfolk personal injury lawyer. Call today for a free consultation.

1. Delay Settlements

Insurance adjusters delay settlements by using various tactics to slow down the claims process. They might keep asking for more documentation, even if it seems unnecessary, or claim they need more time to review the information you provided.

Sometimes, they will keep transferring the claim to different adjusters, causing confusion and further delays. Adjusters may also take a long time to respond to communications or schedule inspections.

By dragging out the process, they hope you will become frustrated and more willing to accept a lower settlement offer to resolve the situation quickly.

2. Underestimate Damages

Adjusters try to underestimate damages to minimize the amount the insurance company has to pay out on claims. They may undervalue property damage or bodily injuries by downplaying their severity or attributing them to pre-existing conditions.

Adjusters might use general estimates or outdated pricing guides that don’t accurately reflect the true cost of repairs or medical treatments. Additionally, they may overlook hidden damages or future expenses, such as ongoing medical care or loss of future earnings.

3. Offer Low Settlements

Insurance companies know that you are struggling financially after being injured in an accident and that you need money to start rebuilding your life. By presenting a low initial settlement offer, adjusters hope to resolve claims quickly and cheaply. They are banking on the possibility that you will accept the offer due to financial pressure or lack of knowledge about your rights.

Carefully review settlement offers, and don’t settle for less than you deserve. Don’t let adjusters take advantage of you; you need a personal injury lawyer experienced in negotiating with insurance companies. Your attorney will negotiate with adjusters for a fair amount or take your case to court if necessary.

4. Use Your Words Against You

Insurance adjusters are trained to carefully listen to the words you use when making a claim. They know that your own statements can be used to diminish the value of your claim. For example, if you say you’re “feeling better” or your injury is “not that bad,” the adjuster will try to use those phrases to argue your injuries aren’t severe enough to justify full compensation.

Adjusters may also ask leading questions, hoping you’ll accidentally say something that contradicts your claim. The best approach is to be truthful but brief when communicating with an insurance adjuster.

Avoid speculating or using vague language that could be misunderstood. Have a lawyer review any statements before submitting them to the insurance company to protect your interests.

5. Question the Medical Necessity of Treatments

One common game insurance adjusters play is to question the medical necessity of the treatments you received for your injuries. They will claim that certain procedures, therapies, or medications were not actually required to treat your condition.

The adjuster may argue the treatment was too much or that a less expensive option would have been sufficient. This allows them to reduce the amount they have to pay out on your claim. You can counter this strategy with clear documentation from your healthcare providers explaining why the treatments were medically necessary for your recovery.

Your doctors can provide detailed records to demonstrate the appropriateness of the care you received. Maintaining open communication with your medical team strengthens your case against the insurance company’s attempts to deny or minimize coverage.

An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Won’t Let Insurance Adjusters Play Games

Having an experienced personal injury lawyer, like me, Ed Atkinson, on your side makes a big difference when dealing with insurance companies. I know all the tactics adjusters use to try to minimize or deny claims. I won’t let the insurance company play games or take advantage of you.

As your attorney, I will handle all communication with the adjuster. With a skilled attorney representing you, the insurance company knows they can’t simply brush off your claim or lowball you. Contact Atkinson Law today and take the first step to recovering all your losses after the accident.