Car Accident?

Tips and Strategies to Deal with Insurance Companies

Dealing with a car accident? Is the insurance company giving you a hard time paying for your damages? All of your damages?

Unfortunately, this is not uncommon! Many consumers are in the same position you are in when they deal with insurance companies regarding: fault, total loss, bodily injury, soft tissue injuries, arbitration, auto damages... and the list goes on...

Consumers are often surprised when the insurance company

• Gives them a low total loss evaluation
• Fixes their car with USED parts
• Cuts their rental car early
• Gives them a low bodily injury settlement
• Devaluates their pain and suffering
• Denies coverage on questionable investigations
• Attributes fault to the wrong driver

If you are in any of these situations, you are not alone.

As an ex-claim adjuster, now an attorney, I learned how the insurance claim process works and how you can protect your rights and get the proper compensation for your damages.

Insurance companies train adjusters to be effective negotiators in every aspect of a claim (whether you know it or not). They will use that training to benefit their employer: the insurance carrier.

They will approve the repairs to your car with used parts (if you let them), cut your rental car early, and give you a low settlement for your total loss.

They will also drag the settlement of lost wages and/or pain and suffering as long as they can, so you become desperate and settle for less.

They do not explain what to do when making a personal injury claim or how to go about getting your damages fully compensated.

Make no mistake, this is intentional. See the Insurance Institue of America website.

Many people hate dealing with attorneys, and you should not need one to deal with a simple fender bender. The bigger problem is that, often, insurance adjusters and agents are flat out “jaded.” It is as if every consumer is out there to make a quick buck out of a bad situation, and the insurance company somehow will have to pay for damages that are not owed.

There are, of course, consumers who will try take advantage of the insurance company and will try to profit from every angle.

This only hurts the consumer as insurance companies will pass on the expenses to policy holders in the form of increased premiums. No one wants to pay for higher insurance rates.

However, these consumers are few “bad apples.” When honest consumers have a fender bender, car accident, personal injury claim, and/or a “loss”, the insurance company and their adjuster should not operate from a perspective that the honest consumer is out to get something they are not entitled to.

Adjusters are understandably suspicious, but making the insured consumer prove their damages in a way that is unreasonable should not be tolerated.

Most consumers want their damages paid for properly and simply move on with their lives.

They are not looking to profit out of a car accident, but they do want to be treated fairly. However, some insurance companies will push you to seek legal advice.

They make this process very difficult and the average consumer does not have the tools to protect their interest. This problem is particularly compounded by the fact that most attorneys will not consider or take any issue regarding total loss, coverage, property damage, and liability if there is not an actual injury involved.

This can leave unsuspecting consumers in a very unfair situation!

You pay insurance every month, and when you need them, you have to go through a lengthy paperwork process... and then worry that your rates will not increase substantially...

Here, we outline tips, strategies, and information so you handle your own claim - please note, consult with an attorney before you do anything regarding your claim.

This is general information and it is not legal advice.

You should especially consider having your case reviewed by a local attorney if are injured or believe you could be injured. Fill the form below to find an attorney near you.

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