When you are injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you could pursue compensation by filing an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or filing a personal injury lawsuit. Typically, you will begin by filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. At that point, you will likely be assigned an insurance adjuster. Insurance adjusters are professional negotiators who review claims and determine payout amounts.
What Role Do Insurance Adjusters Play?
Once you file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, an insurance adjuster will be the primary point of contact for your claim. The adjuster’s role in the settlement process includes the following:
- Verify who was at fault and what insurance coverage applies
- Review and investigate the claim, including all relevant evidence
- Calculate the payout amount
- Negotiate compensation with the injured party or their attorney
How Will an Insurance Adjuster Try to Minimize Compensation?
Unfortunately, most insurance companies are for-profit businesses trying to save and make money. As a result, an insurance adjuster will try to minimize the payout amount to keep as much money for the insurance company as possible. To reduce the compensation their company pays to injured parties, the adjuster might do the following:
- Schedule independent medical examinations: The insurance company requires an independent medical examination to evaluate the extent of a claimant’s injury.
- Delay the settlement process: Sometimes, an adjuster will not answer or respond to your calls or emails. This tactic is used to frustrate you in an attempt to get you to give up on the claim or accept whatever offer they make to end the negotiations.
- Make low settlement offers: Typically, an insurance adjuster will start by offering less than they are allowed to or should pay. However, you are never required to accept the settlement offer presented by the insurance adjuster. Instead, you should review the settlement offer carefully, make a counteroffer, and negotiate a more desirable settlement.
How to Intimidate the Insurance Adjuster
Dealing with headstrong insurance adjusters can be difficult, but there are several things you can do to scare an insurance adjuster and protect your rights during settlement negotiations.
Hire an Attorney
A vital step in scaring an insurance adjuster is hiring an attorney. A skilled and knowledgeable personal injury attorney will review your case and build a strong claim for fair compensation. An attorney will help you by:
- Understanding the complexities of all relevant insurance policies
- Gathering evidence, such as medical records, police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and other relevant information or documentation
- Pursuing compensation from all liable parties
- Writing a strong demand letter for compensation
- Communicating with the insurance adjuster and other parties on your behalf
- Rejecting lowball offers and writing strong counteroffers with your approval
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit and representing you in court, if necessary
Having an attorney on your side can be highly intimidating to insurance adjusters because it shows that you mean business and are willing to file a lawsuit if you do not receive the compensation you deserve. It also negates their ability to use certain negotiating tactics because an experienced personal injury attorney is also a professional negotiator.
Be Proactive and Persistent
Another way to intimidate an insurance adjuster is to be proactive and persistent with your claim because it shows the adjuster how serious you are about the claim and receiving fair compensation. You can be proactive and persistent by doing the following:
- Taking photos of the scene, injuries sustained, and the damage to your property
- Obtaining the contact information of witnesses and any police officers, firefights, or EMTs that responded to the incident
- Keeping a record of your expenses related to the incident, such as medical bills and travel to and from medical appointments
- Documenting your lost wages
- Keeping a journal documenting how the injuries sustained during the incident affect your daily life, mentally and physically
- Following up with the adjuster regularly
- Keeping records of all your conversations with the adjuster
- Negotiating the compensation you deserve instead of settling for lowball offers
Being proactive and persistent with an insurance adjuster can make a substantial difference in your compensation.
Contact an Experienced San Diego Personal Injury Attorney
Dealing with insurance adjusters on your own can be frustrating and overwhelming. At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, our attorneys will communicate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Call the experienced San Diego personal injury attorneys of Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (619) 233-5020 or contact us online to discuss your legal options during a free consultation.
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