5 Tips When Speaking To The Other Person’s Insurance Company (Without Getting Less Compensation)
You were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault and the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster contacts you. Keep in mind that their interests are completely different than yours. You want fair compensation for your injuries, but they want to solely protect the interests of themselves – the insurance company. They want to pay out as little as possible on every claim, even if it wasn’t your fault! Here are 5 suggestions on talking to at-fault insurance companies without putting your compensation amount on the line:
1. Do NOT Give Them A Recorded Statement
Many adjusters for the at-fault party’s insurance company will ask you to give a recorded statement explaining your side of the story. Although it may seem reasonable because the accident was not caused by you, they do this to try and deny or devalue your compensation by using the information you provided against you later on. Giving a recorded statement is not just for information about how the accident occurred, but also applies to your injuries, if any.
If they ever ask you to give a recorded statement, politely decline. Don’t ever give the at-fault party’s adjuster a recorded or written statement unless your attorney tells you to. Remember, that they are not your friend, no matter how empathetic they sound.
2. Do NOT Sign A Medical Authorization
This is another tactic that insurance companies try to get injury victims to fall for. Authorizing a medical signing will allow the at-fault party’s insurance company to obtain your personal medical information. They would be able to use your previous medical records from ANY medical provider you’ve seen before and after the collision. This means that they could use that information against you by saying that “you had those injuries before” or “your injuries were caused by your prior medical issues, not our insured hitting your car”.
If they ever ask you to give a medical authorization, politely decline. Don’t ever sign a medical authorization unless your attorney tells you to.
3. Do NOT Dispute a Portion of Your Medical Bills or Minimize Treatment
Mostly, the at-fault party’s insurance tries to fight a portion of your medical bills or treatment to devalue your compensation. They may say that although you were injured by the collision, you couldn’t have been “that injured”. They usually try saying that you have been treated for too long, you should’ve “recovered sooner”, or that your treatment was “unreasonable”.
Most insurance adjusters try to convince you to even stop your treatments a certain point because they won’t cover it for those reasons. They try doing this so they can try and cut off your damages or create a bad record in your treatment. If you stop treatment due to the adjuster but are still in pain, the insurance company will use that failure to “seek treatment” against you saying that you weren’t really injured, you made up your injuries, or that you weren’t “injured badly enough”.
4. Do NOT Settle For A Lower Amount
Many insurance companies know that after accidents, people are in a financial situation due to medical bills, lost work time, or completely losing your car or having to fix their car. They use their vulnerability to their advantage and will typically delay the processing of your claim until you’ve reached that point where you’re desperate to settle for anything or even just give up entirely on your compensation.
If you are ever in this situation, stand firm in demanding your fair compensation! You are rightfully owed under the law for your injuries due to their insured. You’re entitled to your injuries, and if you ever feel that they are delaying your compensation, talk to your attorney.
5. Do NOT Settle For Not Getting An Attorney
If all insurance companies were fair in every situation, then hiring an attorney wouldn’t be necessary. But since insurance companies try paying little compensation, an attorney is definitely necessary! Attorneys have experience and knowledge that insurance companies don’t want to pay you fairly and for that reason, insurance companies try to convince you that your case isn’t “serious enough” to get an attorney. An attorney looks out for your best interest and fights to get you maximum compensation. No matter how big or small the accident, an attorney is always recommended if you’re looking to get compensated fairly.
