In the aftermath of an accident, you will likely have to deal with an insurance adjuster. The insurance adjuster is crucial in determining what compensation, if any, will land in your pocket. They are hired by insurance companies to settle claims in a cost-effective manner, meaning that your best interests are not their concern. Keep reading to learn more about insurance adjusters and how to handle their tactics.
Insurance Adjuster: The Company’s Shield?
The insurance adjuster is employed by the insurance company to look at your claim and determine the payout. They often come across as helpful – maybe even sympathetic – but their primary allegiance isn’t to you. It’s to the insurance company that signs their paycheck. Their job is often to minimize the amount the company has to pay out on your claim.
Think of them as the gatekeepers, holding the purse strings tightly. They want to save their employer as much money as possible. From an attorney’s perspective, it’s essential to understand this dynamic because it often shapes the entire claims process.
What Is an Insurance Adjuster’s Role?
An insurance adjuster’s work begins as soon as a claim is filed. They will typically:
- Investigate the Claim: This includes gathering details about the incident, such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, and sometimes even speaking with you directly.
- Evaluate Damage: In property damage or injury claims, the adjuster will assess the extent of the damage. This could mean visiting the scene, looking at photos, or reviewing repair estimates. Again, their focus may likely be on finding ways to justify a lower payout.
- Negotiate a Settlement: Once they’ve determined the value of the claim (which is often less than you believe it to be), they’ll present a settlement offer. This is often below what you deserve, and that’s where many claimants make a crucial mistake: accepting the offer without question.
If you have any questions about an adjuster’s valuation of your claim, you can speak to a personal injury lawyer.
What Are an Insurance Adjuster’s Tactics?
Adjusters are trained in negotiation tactics, and they know how to play their hand. Some of the common tactics include:
- Making Lowball Offers: Their first offer is almost always lower than what your claim is worth. They’re banking on you needing quick cash or not knowing the actual value of your claim.
- Delaying Tactics: Some adjusters might drag out the claims process, hoping you’ll get desperate and accept their first offer.
- Being Friendly: Don’t be fooled by a friendly demeanor. The adjuster isn’t your best friend, no matter how many times they say, “I’m just here to help.”
- Making Misleading Statements: Adjusters might imply that you don’t need an attorney or that hiring one will just complicate things. This is because they know that an attorney will likely push for a higher settlement, which is the last thing they want.
Beware of these tactics and others when you are interacting with an adjuster. You should always be on your guard when you are talking with them.
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
From an attorney’s standpoint, one of the worst things you can do is go into a negotiation with an insurance adjuster unprepared. Without legal representation, you’re at a disadvantage. The adjuster knows the ins and outs of the process, and they’re counting on the fact that you do not.
An attorney, on the other hand, can level the playing field by handling negotiations with your adjuster to ensure that you recover maximum compensation for your claim. Your lawyer will also have a better sense of the value of your claim than you will; their expertise will help you make an informed decision about the minimum offer you would be willing to accept. At all stages of the claims process, your attorney will make sure that your interests are prioritized.
If you have been injured in an accident, call a Nashville personal injury lawyer today at Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers. We can negotiate with your insurance adjuster and make sure your legal rights are protected. Call us at 615-685-8546.
