If you’ve been involved in a car accident or a motorcycle accident, you probably think that you should immediately talk to the insurance company of the party at fault. That’s not necessarily true. It’s wiser to wait and consult a car accident lawyer before you speak to the insurance company. You need an expert who has dealt with insurance companies because if you do it on your own, you may be manipulated into receiving compensation that is a lot less than the amountyou are entitled to.
What Can You Expect from Insurance Companies?
First of all, an insurance company isa business and just like any business; the main objective is to maximize profit while minimizing costs. When dealing with an insurance adjuster, you need to know that they have three key goals:
- To prevent insurance fraud. They want to make sure you are not lying about anything related to your accident.
- To settle claims for a low amount.
- To settle claims quickly.
Unfortunately, insurance companies have used some insurance claim adjuster secret tactics to achieve these goals.
“You do not have to risk handling an LTD denial. I have dealt with many insurance companies, and I know all the tricks they use to minimize or deny LTD benefits to claimants. I am ready to help with expediting your LTD claim as you focus on your recovery.”
Derek Wilson
Personal Injury Lawyer’
Insurance Claim Adjuster Secret Tactics & Tricks
- Acting like your friend
- Convincing you to record a statement about your accident
- Convince you not to hire a long term disability lawyer
- Minimize your injuries
- Get you to admit fault
- Have you release medical records to the insurance company
- Pay you to sign a release
- Spy on you
- Maintain that their client is not responsible
- Delay your claim
1. Insurance adjusters will try to act as if they are your friends.
This is the first thing you need to remember every time you talk to an insurance adjuster. You must remember that insurance adjusters are working for the insurance company no matter how concerned they seem. They are there to save their employer some money, not to give you a large amount of money or any money at all. These insurance adjusters get promoted based on how successful they are at minimizing or denying claims. They don’t go up the corporate ladder by giving an injured person maximum compensation.
2. Insurance adjusters will try to convince you to record a statement about the car accident or motorcycle accident you were involved in.
Soon after your accident, the insurance adjuster may call and infer that you are required by law to tell them the details of your car accident. They may also ask for your permission to record your statement. You must refuse to give an account without your lawyer, and you must refuse to permit them to record your conversation. Before issuing a statement, you need to know what to say and what not to say to an insurance adjuster.
3. Insurance adjusters will try to convince you not to hire an LTD lawyer or an LTD law firm.
Insurance companies will try to convince you not to hire a personal injury lawyer. According to a study by the Insurance Research Council in the U.S., settlements with insurance companies were 40 percent higher when their lawyers represented claimants.
A long term disability lawyer is highly skilled at negotiations. They also know how your injuries can be evaluated and how to estimate the damages you have suffered.
4. The insurance company will try to downplay your injuries.
Some adjusters will tell claimants that some of the medical treatment they received was unnecessary and not approve it. Insurance adjusters have no knowledge, skills, or right to make decisions regarding their medical care. Physicians and other medical experts have the skills and expertise to evaluate your injury, determine the care and treatment you need, and whether or not you will need rehabilitation.
5. Insurance adjusters will try to make you admit that you had some fault in the accident.
Insurance adjusters have been known to entice claimants to make admissions of liability in their statements regarding the accident they were involved in. For example, if you say, “I’m sorry about the accident,” those words can be used against you and result in a lower amount of compensation or an LTD denial.
6. An insurance adjuster will try to ask you to release all your medical records to the insurance company.
To people who have not dealt with insurance companies before, this may seem a reasonable request. They may think that the insurance adjuster is asking for the medical records to give a fair settlement based on how much the claimant has suffered. The purpose of obtaining the claimant’s medical records is to find something, such as a pre-existing medical condition to minimize the claim or deny it altogether.
7. The insurance company will offer you money if you sign a release.
After a car accident or motorcycle accident leaves you injured, you can’t work, and medical bills continue to pile up. It would be tempting to take the money the insurance company will offer you. However, this offer comes with the requirement that you sign a release. When you sign the release, you agree that even if you are still suffering in the future and incurring medical expenses because of the injury, you give up the right to ask for more money and the right to sue the insurance company.
8. The insurance company will secretly spy on you.
Many insurance companies hire investigators to follow you around and take videos of you doing activities inconsistent with your injury. You should, therefore, be honest about your injuries. It would be best if you did not claim to have injuries or limitations that you do not have.
9. The insurance company will claim that its insured is not liable for the accident.
Insurance companies will do everything to avoid paying a claim. Even if you do not admit to being totally or partially at fault, they will try to place the fault on anyone other than its insured. They may even attempt to place the responsibility on a third party.
10. The insurance company will try to delay action on your claim.
Most, if not, all insurance companies will try to ignore your claim, no matter how urgent it is for you to get compensation for your injuries. They think if they do this, you will accept a low settlement, let it go, or worse; you will die. When you contact them for a status update on your claim, they will tell you to wait for the insurance adjuster to call you back. They typically do not call back, and even when they do, they will say that they are still processing your claim.
Testimonial
“Extremely knowledgeable personal injury lawyer with extensive industry experience in dealing directly with the insurance companies. His reputation and expertise in the industry give him a greater understanding and insight on how to negotiate with insurance companies.He always works in the best interests of his clients. He has the edge over his competitors because he has represented insurance companies in the past, and as such, has a more in-depth understanding of their internal processes and strategies. I would highly recommend his services.”
G.E. – Ontario
FAQs
Is the insurance industry in Canada capable of paying LTD claims?
The Canadian Underwriter reports that “The industry’s net income grew by 54.73% last year, expanding from about $3.9 billion in 2019 to $6 billion in 2020.” Insurance companies are more than capable of paying LTD claims despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
I cannot work because of my injuries, and I’m still unsure if I need a lawyer. What should I do?
Do not hesitate to contact Derek Wilson, Personal Injury Law firm. Call us or fill out the request form to schedule your free consultation. You can come and visit our office, or we can have a videoconference or meet at a location of your convenience. We always have our clients’ best interests in mind. We will discuss and determine if you have a case. We will also discuss how you can obtain maximum compensation for your injuries if you are eligible.
