Should I Cash a Check My Insurance Company Sent Me? | Anidjar (2024)

Should I Cash a Check My Insurance Company Sent Me? | Anidjar (1)

After an accident, when you’re downtrodden with a mix of heightened emotions and anxiety, it can be exhilarating to receive an unexpected check from your insurance carrier. But should you cash it? You can, but in most cases, the answer is no, because the moment you cash or deposit the check, it will waive the insurance company from any further liability, thereby terminating any chance of you getting further compensation.

If you have received a check from your insurance company, consider consulting a lawyer before cashing it. An attorney can assist in evaluating the settlement check and determine whether it reflects a full and fair compensation per the sustained damage.

Why Should I not Cash a Check From an Insurance Company?

The reason you should not deposit or cash the settlement check sent by an insurance company is two-fold:

  1. Insurance companies are business ventures: Just like any other business entity, insurance companies want to make more money. One way this is done is through settling claims for minimal compensation.

Most insurance checks come with documentation, or a clause printed on the check itself that essentially states that you waive the right to pursue more legal action and compensation once it’s cashed.

  1. Time can reveal more damages: If you discover new injuries or learn you need more treatments a week or month from now, the insurance company will not pay more money to cover the new expenses.

What Should I Consider Before Cashing the Check?

Ask yourself the following questions before deciding to accept the check:

Does the Settlement Account for the Full Extent of Your Damages?

Many people are unaware of the full extent of damages they are entitled to collect. Under Florida law, most personal injury claims make you eligible to receive compensation for three types of damages:

  • Economic damages: This refers to monetary losses from the accident. These may include compensation for lost income, reduced or lost earning potential, past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses, and property damage costs.
  • Non-economic damages: This refers to intangible, non-financial losses, such as pain and suffering, trauma, reduced quality of life, mental anguish, or loss of enjoyment in activities you used to participate in pre-injury. Non-monetary damages may also include disfigurement and physical impairment.
  • Punitive damages: This is meant to punish the defendant if their conduct was intentional or negligent to a significant degree. Punitive damages are uncommon, but if it’s a case like a DUI, you may be entitled to collect punitive damages along with compensation.

Did the Insurance Thoroughly Investigate Your Accident?

All insurance companies must handle claims in good faith. This means promptly investigating damages and providing a fair settlement. But some carriers may underpay you without looking at all the evidence and damages. If your insurer sent you a check without looking at all the aspects of your claim, then it may be prudent not to accept the settlement. You can then pursue further compensation.

Does the Check Come with Any Catch?

You can check if this payment from the insurer comes with documentation that states if it is a full or final payment. If so, the insurance company will view your act of cashing it as accepting its offer, which will terminate your right to file more claims or a lawsuit. Although you may not realize it now, this check may represent just a small percentage of what your case is truly worth.

What does It Mean to Receive a Check From My Insurance?

Receiving a check quickly may mean the insurance company believes you have a strong case and that it will likely be required to pay more than the first offer if you pursue legal action. A quick settlement may be its attempt at killing a potential claim or a lawsuit by tempting you with enough financial help to cover your short-term expenses. But in the long run, you may be leaving money on the table.

Accidents are unexpected incidents. It can quickly inundate you with a huge pile of bills and disrupt every facet of your life. While you may feel pressured to cash that check, you should first consider consulting with an attorney to determine whether it is an appropriate amount or if your case is worth more.

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Get Answers To Your Questions.

Call: 800-747-3733

Get a Free Consultation Before Cashing Your Settlement Check

Hold that check and call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine immediately. We can determine if the check you received accurately reflects the full extent of damages. Our attorneys will guide you through the best legal action to obtain a fair settlement. We can also negotiate a better offer or represent you at trial if you decide to pursue a lawsuit.

Do not take the insurance company’s initial offer unless you have full confidence that it’s the best decision for you and your family. We can assist you in making an informed decision. Contact our legal team now at 1-800-747-3733 for a free case review.

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Should I Cash a Check My Insurance Company Sent Me? | Anidjar (2024)

FAQs

Should I Cash a Check My Insurance Company Sent Me? | Anidjar? ›

But should you cash it? You can, but in most cases, the answer is no, because the moment you cash or deposit the check, it will waive the insurance company from any further liability, thereby terminating any chance of you getting further compensation.

What happens if I cash a check from an insurance company? ›

Cashing the Check May Waive Your Right to Further Compensation. Most insurance checks have a waiver notice pre-printed somewhere on the check. That waiver typically includes language that states that by cashing that check you waive your rights to future legal action and further compensation.

What does it mean when your insurance company sends you a check? ›

An insurance payout, or claims check, would follow a settlement between you and the adjuster for a specific amount of financial compensation to cover whatever damages occurred.

Should I return a check from an insurance company? ›

The short answer is: Read both sides of the check and if you don't see the words “full” or “final” or “settlement,” it's fine to cash it and send an email or letter to the insurer confirming that you are accepting it as a partial payment only and that you look forward to receiving the balance owed.

Why did my medical insurance send me a check? ›

Some insurance companies pay the subscriber directly when the provider is not in network. There are several things you can do with the check. You can deposit it and pay for the care with a personal check or credit or debit card.

Should you cash a check from a settlement? ›

A personal injury settlement check should be cashed right away, so a plaintiff can receive their damages and start using them. To cash a settlement check, a plaintiff only needs to sign the check and bring it to their check-cashing location of choice.

How to endorse a check from an insurance company? ›

What is the proper way to endorse (sign) my insurance check? All persons and/or companies listed as a “payee” on a check need to sign the back of the check exactly as the name appears on the front of the check. This is known as “endorsing” the claim check.

Why did auto insurance send me a check? ›

Car insurance companies may send a check to save time and money. Other common reasons why you may receive a check: Early Settlement. This seemingly appealing offer seeks to resolve your case quickly and inexpensively.

Is there a hold on insurance checks? ›

Your bank may put a hold on the following types of checks: Insurance settlement checks: Insurance settlement checks are commonly returned or disputed. For this reason, they may cause an automatic flag for a hold even if the amount is quite small.

Why do banks hold insurance claim checks? ›

This happens because your lender has a financial interest in the property that your insurer will honor/protect. Until your mortgage company releases its claim on some or all of the funds, they will sit in your mortgage company's account.

Is it safe to accept a company check? ›

Checks are highly susceptible to fraud, exemplifying the need for safer non-cash payment systems like automated clearing house (ACH), business credit cards, Check Positive Pay and ACH Positive Pay.

How long is a check from insurance company good for? ›

What If My Insurance Check Has Expired? Banks don't usually accept checks that are more than 6 months old. The institution can process an old check if it believes the funds are good, but the laws of the Uniform Commercial Code may prevent the bank from cashing it outright.

How do I cash an insurance check with two names on it? ›

If a check is issued to two people, such as John and Jane Doe, the bank generally can require that the check be signed by both payees before it can be cashed or deposited. If a check is issued to John or Jane Doe, generally only one payee needs to sign the check.

When an insurance company sends a check? ›

What does It Mean to Receive a Check From My Insurance? Receiving a check quickly may mean the insurance company believes you have a strong case and that it will likely be required to pay more than the first offer if you pursue legal action.

How long does it take for a check to come from insurance? ›

For straightforward claims, such as accidents with minor injuries and no liability dispute, claims are often settled and payments made in as little as two weeks after filing a claim. In more serious cases, where more investigation may be involved, it is usually at least 60 days before a payout is received.

Why do insurance companies send you to their doctors? ›

If the insurance company is asking you to undergo an “independent medical examination,” you should know the insurance company is often looking to find something about your current medical condition or in your medical history that they will try to rely upon to say your medical problems are not related to, or were not ...

How can I cash my insurance check without a bank account? ›

Cash it at the issuing bank (this is the bank name that is pre-printed on the check) Cash a check at a retailer that cashes checks (discount department store, grocery stores, etc.) Cash the check at a check-cashing store. Deposit at an ATM onto a pre-paid card account or checkless debit card account.

Will a bank hold an insurance check? ›

While state law determines when mortgage companies must release insurance checks, it's common for them to be held until repairs are completed.

What if I accidentally endorse a check? ›

If you accidentally endorse the check in the wrong place, contact your bank to determine the next steps. You may have to re-endorse it at the bank with a teller.

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