Insurance Company Settlement Tactics
When you’ve been hurt in a vehicle accident, the unfortunate reality is that your pain doesn’t end with your physical injuries.
Dealing with insurance companies is an inevitable part of the settlement process, and any missteps here can be very costly.
Insurance Company Tricks
The primary concern of most insurance companies is to minimize their financial liability as much as possible. After all, the less the company pays out in claims, the more profitable they are. Common insurance industry tactics to minimize settlements include:
- Quick settlements. If an insurance company offers you a quick settlement, rest assured that it is in its best interest to do so. Company officials know that if you hire an attorney to pursue your claim aggressively, the insurance company is likely to ultimately pay a much higher amount. If you accept the insurance company’s initial settlement offer, you’re almost certainly being undercompensated.
- Delayed claims. Once you’ve hired an attorney, the insurance company’s tactic may change to delaying payment of the claim for as long as possible in an effort to increase your aggravation. Insurance executives know that the longer the claims process drags on, the more likely you are to accept a smaller settlement.
- “Just sign here.” When an insurance company asks you to sign something, be suspicious. Insurance documents are often crafted to allow the company to obtain lots of information, which they can later use against you. For instance, the insurance company may ask you to sign a general medical authorization in hopes that they can blame your injury on a preexisting condition. Insurance companies aren’t allowed to violate your privacy, unless you give them permission. You should avoid signing any insurance company authorizations until your attorney has an opportunity to review them.
Don’t Go It Alone
You don’t have to face the insurance company alone. When you’ve been injured in a vehicle accident, you need an experienced attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve. To discuss your claim, contact the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., by using the form on this page.