In an ideal world, nothing would go wrong. Whilst we all wish accidents would never happen and things would never get broken, this is sadly not the case. This is why people all over the world take out insurance policies. They want to protect their health or their cars, homes, holidays, and more. In return for their premiums, they experience increased peace of mind.
It may be that you have just experienced an unfortunate event and have been in contact with your insurance company. You may be covered under the terms and conditions, and be expecting to receive a prompt and full payout. On the other side of the fence, however, insurance companies are designed to make a profit and they have shareholders to pay. This means that it’s in their interests to either refuse the claim or to pay as little as possible. As a result, you need to be very wise when dealing with them, and this article has been written to steer you safely through the minefield so that you can receive a fair settlement.
Do Some Online Research
There is hardly a question in the universe that the internet doesn’t have an answer to. This means it should be your first port of call for your insurance claim. Not only are there websites that promote the services of personal injury lawyers, but there are also many that supply free information and blogs. Visitors to https://www.marksandharrison.com/blog/recorded-statement-after-an-accident/ prove that people are unsure whether to give recorded statements to their insurance companies and are wondering what could go wrong if they do. They want to know what they shouldn’t say to insurance adjusters, and to learn how a lawyer can help them with their claim.
Beware Of Insurance Adjusters
Sometimes they behave as though they are totally on your side, yet it’s their job to minimize or dismiss your claim. Although this may be the first time you’ve ever spoken to an insurance company, they will have dealt with many claims, and be good at protecting their company’s interests.
After you begin to chat, you may feel they are not believing your version of events. They may also use strategic questions that can put words into your mouth, saying things that could compromise your case. When they make settlement offers it’s common for them to dress them up as a fair deal or to try and blind people with the legal or medical terminology. So, to safeguard yourself, you must work with an attorney whenever dealing with insurance adjusters. An attorney can simplify the complex legal and policy-related terms and help you make the right decision. You can visit here to learn more about how an attorney can help you with claim activation.
Understand That the First Settlement Offer May Be Too Low
People need to be careful if they have had little experience in dealing with insurance claims, and if it relates to an accident, they may be physically and emotionally vulnerable. If you employed the services of a personal injury lawyer, the professional would have some idea of a fair payout in your circumstances. If you go it alone to save money, you could end up accepting a less than a fair amount.
Because of financial constraints, people can be in an understandable hurry to resolve their claims. However, if they rush to accept the first offer they could lose out. If they are still waiting for their final medical diagnosis, they will not even know the true amount they should be requesting. Once again, a lawyer is best placed to advise you, and research confirms people almost always receive more with their help.
Know That They May Try to Avoid Paying Your Medical Costs
If you didn’t seek medical help straight after an accident occurred, the insurance adjuster could claim you sustained an injury later on. Alternatively, they may use your medical history to prove you had a pre-existing condition. Such accusations can make you feel like they’re calling you a liar. This may be true because it’s in their interests to claim you are committing fraud.
If you don’t do the physical therapy exercises you have been recommended or take your prescribed medicine, the insurance company could seize on that. If you claim to be unable to work and yet post Facebook photos of you on holiday or at the gym, they could use that too.
Be Wise When Giving Statements
It’s important to understand that they will want you to agree to their account of what happened rather than yours. Beware of providing a recorded statement. If you write one down, you can change it before it’s submitted. If you simply talk, you could use unwise terminology and lay yourself open to a legal challenge. You will lose ground if you apologize (whether something was your fault or not) or say things you should have done at the time of the accident.
While it can be tempting to plaster your accident story all over social media or to tell your friends, this can be highly unwise. The insurance company could use social media against you and your friends could be subpoenaed for claim purposes.
Don’t Give in to Bullying Tactics
Insurance adjusters may want you to become frightened so that you act out of fear. Imagine being threatened by your insurance company that your driving license could be removed, especially if you use your car for work? Or what would you do if they implied this was their one and only settlement offer – and that it was for a limited time only?
Some insurance adjusters seek to dissuade claimants from using lawyers. This is a transparent tactic, however, considering how invaluable they can be. You may be told about an ‘investigation’ that is underway, implying you have done something wrong that requires further action. If they say this could become an embarrassment for your family, you could quickly give in to close the claim.
Whether it’s by using delay tactics (ie, ‘We can’t trace your file’ or by not calling you back) or any of the other things we’ve discussed, insurance companies can certainly put up a fight. If you employ an attorney, however, you will reap the benefits of having a legal advocate who knows how to prevail and succeed in gaining justice for you.
