Insurance companies are big businesses that are not afraid to intimidate someone to avoid paying a claim or reducing its value. However, they are people, too, and you can scare insurance adjusters if you know what to do. The trick is understanding how adjusters think, their tactics, and how to counter them.
At The Bruner Law Firm, our Fort Walton Beach personal injury attorneys know how to handle insurance adjusters and make them pay a claim. We know the tricks they use to scare people and how to turn the tables on them. By following the tips in this guide and hiring a driven, experienced lawyer, you have a much stronger chance of recovering the money you need from an accident.
Tactics Insurance Adjusters Use
Before digging into what to do to scare an insurance adjuster, it’s useful to know a little about how they try to scare those who file a claim. One of the most common scare tactics they use is to delay a decision on your claim. They know that when you’re dealing with a severe injury, time is not your friend. Medical bills pile up. You might be missing work. You’re desperate for help. So they make you wait, hoping you’ll take a smaller payout just to get things over with.
Another tactic is confusion. Have you ever tried reading an insurance policy? It’s like trying to understand a science textbook written in a foreign language. Adjusters bank on this confusion, making the process seem so complex that you feel compelled to take whatever they offer.
Finally, adjusters often use a technique called lowballing. This is when they offer you an amount that’s way below what your claim is worth, hoping you’ll be too worn out or desperate to negotiate for more.
How to Intimidate an Insurance Adjuster
Therefore, no one should be a pushover, especially when dealing with insurance adjusters. You have rights and will fight to assert them. Scaring an insurance adjuster doesn’t mean getting angry or resorting to threats; it means showing that you’re smart, prepared, and not easily swayed. Here’s how to do just that:
- Know Your Rights: The first step to intimidating an insurance adjuster is understanding your rights. Read up on Florida insurance law and understand the basics of personal injury law. (Better still: Hire an attorney who understands the nuances of insurance laws.) Lastly, this helps you communicate effectively and stand your ground when dealing with adjusters.
- Document Everything: Insurance adjusters love paperwork. Furthermore, you can give them a run for their money by being even more thorough. Document your injuries, treatment, and recovery with photos, medical reports, and bills. Keep track of any lost wages or other financial impacts. The more evidence you have, the harder it is for them to deny your claim.
- Be Patient: Remember, one of the most common tactics insurance adjusters use is stalling. They’re hoping you’ll get desperate and take a lower offer. Show them you’re not easily swayed. Be patient, and let them know you’re willing to wait for a fair settlement.
- Don’t Accept the First Offer: Insurance adjusters often start with a lowball offer, hoping you’ll take it and they can close the case. Show them you’re not easily fooled by rejecting their first offer. You’re entitled to a fair settlement that covers your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and many other losses related to an accident.
- Hire a Lawyer: Nothing says “I mean business” like having a lawyer by your side. Personal injury attorneys know the law, understand insurance adjusters’ tactics, and can forcefully fight for your rights. Hiring a lawyer shows the adjuster that you’re serious and prepared to go to court if necessary.
By following these tips, you can stand up to insurance adjusters and fight for the compensation you deserve. After all, you didn’t ask to get injured and shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistake. Be strong, be smart, and show those adjusters who are really in charge.
Hire an Aggressive Attorney From The Bruner Law Firm To Fight For You
It’s impossible to overstate the importance of hiring a lawyer if you want to scare an insurance adjuster. Insurance companies rely on your confusion and fear to safeguard their bottom line. But with an experienced, knowledgeable, and aggressive attorney leading the way, you can get an insurance adjuster to back off and make a fair offer.
The Fort Walton Beach injury lawyers at The Bruner Law Firm don’t fear insurance adjusters and can help you stand your ground if one tries to scare you. Call (850) 243-2222 or fill out our contact form for a complimentary case review.
Related Posts:
- What Not to Say to an Insurance Adjuster
- What Happens After My Lawyer Sends a Demand Letter?
FAQs
Insurance adjusters often start with a lowball offer, hoping you will accept it without question. To scare an insurance adjuster, you must demonstrate that you know the true value of your claim. Reject the lowball offer in writing and provide a detailed explanation of why you believe the offer is inadequate.
What do insurance companies fear the most? ›
Legitimate Denials
People have successfully fooled insurance companies into paying out for false injuries, so these insurers are often paranoid about paying out for a false claim.
How to argue with a claims adjuster? ›
Tips for Negotiating With an Insurance Claims Adjuster
- Come well-prepared with supporting evidence. Records and documentation are critical components of the process. ...
- Calculate a full settlement amount. ...
- Know your bottom line. ...
- Beware of the first offer. ...
- Get the settlement offer in writing. ...
- Read the fine print.
Remember this motto: Stick to the basic facts. Don't add opinions such as who's at fault, what triggered the crash, or what the damages might be. More importantly, don't lie or even embellish the facts, as this can compromise your insurance claim and become grounds for serious legal trouble.
How to get the most from an insurance claim? ›
There is no single silver bullet that automatically ensures you get the most money out of your insurance claim. Instead, you can help maximize your options by keeping records, knowing the terms of your policy, and not accepting an initial settlement offer.
What insurance companies do not want you to know? ›
To protect yourself after an accident, here are some things that most insurance companies don't want you to know.
- You Have Rights After an Accident. ...
- You Don't Have to Accept the First Offer. ...
- You Don't Have to Talk to the Insurance Claims Adjusters. ...
- You Can Hire a Personal Injury Attorney to Help You File a Claim.
Before digging into what to do to scare an insurance adjuster, it's useful to know a little about how they try to scare those who file a claim. One of the most common scare tactics they use is to delay a decision on your claim. They know that when you're dealing with a severe injury, time is not your friend.
What is unethical in insurance? ›
Not investigating a claim or, in some cases, denying the claim without providing any reason. Unreasonably making demands for documents, interviews, and other information in a bid to delay or deny making payments.
Can you disagree with an insurance adjuster? ›
If you find yourself at odds with a claims adjuster over a settlement amount, it's important to advocate for the payment you deserve. Don't simply accept an offer you believe to be inadequate. Instead, arm yourself with evidence, negotiate firmly but politely, and don't be afraid to dispute their decision if needed.
How do I succeed a claims adjuster? ›
Self-discipline – essential for working independently. Project Management – the ability to work on multiple claims simultaneously. Computer Skills – proficiency in typing and using certain independent adjuster software programs. Excellent Organization – since sloppiness can lead to costly errors.
Countering a Low Insurance Settlement Offer
- State that the offer you received is unacceptable.
- Refute any statements in the adjustor's letter that are inaccurate and damaging to your claim.
- Re-state an acceptable figure.
- Explain why your counteroffer is appropriate, including the reasons behind your general damages demands.
Even if you feel you're at fault, wait for the official investigation to prove what actually happened. Don't say things like “I'm sorry” or “it was my fault.” Your injuries: Insurance adjusters may reach out to you in the hours after an accident and well before an accident investigation has made clear who was at fault.
Are claims adjusters biased? ›
Dealing With Insurance Adjusters
The insurance adjuster has only the best interests of their client in mind and will perform their duties with a certain degree of bias. Some insurance adjusters may even go as far as to employ bad faith tricks to lower the potential payout the insurance company has to deliver.
How do I interview a Claims Adjuster? ›
Top 10 Claims Adjuster Interview Questions & Answers
- How would you deal with a hostile client who is unhappy with your assessment of the damage? ...
- How do you manage stress? ...
- How would you approach negotiations with a client? ...
- How do you feel about inspecting a site of an accident in the middle of the night?
Claims adjusters have three main goals when settling claims: accurate claim assessment, timely settlement, and customer satisfaction. They investigate and evaluate claims, ensuring that the claim amount accurately reflects the covered losses.
What is one of the most important responsibilities of a claims adjuster? ›
Claims adjusters inspect property damage to determine how much the company should pay for the loss. Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators evaluate insurance claims. They decide whether an insurance company must pay a claim and if so, how much.
Therefore, no one should be a pushover, especially when dealing with insurance adjusters. You have rights and will fight to assert them. Scaring an insurance adjuster doesn’t mean getting angry or resorting to threats; it means showing that you’re smart, prepared, and not easily swayed. Here’s how to do just that: