Getting the Advantage Over a Claims Adjuster

  • September 18, 2014

When you sustain an injury or experience damage to your home, an insurance company will send a claims adjuster to investigate your claim and determine the settlement amount you deserve. In order to establish the extent of the insurer’s liability, these adjusters will collect medical bills, interview witnesses and even seek the advice of outside professionals. In order to give yourself an advantage over a claims adjuster, you must be familiar with all of the factors involved in your claim. If your insurance company is acting in bad faith, this is oftentimes facilitated by your claims adjuster.

This is why you should hire a Beaumont bad faith attorney who is familiar with the claim settlement process and the role of the claims adjuster. If you are struck by a negligent driver and sustain injuries that prevent you from going to work, the settlement negotiations will begin with that driver’s claims adjuster. Usually, this adjuster will have no medical or legal training and very little knowledge about your claim, but he or she does come equipped with extensive knowledge of the claims business. You will always have an advantage over the adjuster if you have kept up with all aspects of your accident.

Learn more about the role of the adjuster and the failure to investigate your claim. Discuss the details of your situation in a free case evaluation to learn your legal options.

First, the adjuster will study all of the documents you have provided and decide if he or she needs to examine further evidence. For instance, if the adjuster questions whether or not you had some part to play in the damage to your property, he or she may study footage from any available surveillance cameras. The adjuster may also ask for photographs of your property before to ensure you are not trying to claim for damages that were previously suffered. This is the liability phase of the investigation, where the adjuster will verify who is legally responsible for the damages. Once the adjuster is certain that the policyholder was not responsible, he or she will proceed with the claim.

During the next phase of the claims process, the adjuster will appraise the damages done to your property. Once the damage is assessed, the insurance company will only pay according to its “pricing guidelines.” If you do not agree with these pricing guidelines, you may want to do one of the following:

  • Hire your own public adjuster for a second opinion
  • Run your claim by an expert
  • Demand that your insurer give you a detailed appraisal
  • Research your own price quotes from outside source

Once you have agreed on a settlement amount, the adjuster will send you the paperwork to finalize.

During the liability investigation, you should be on the lookout for foul play on the behalf of the claims adjuster. Most of these adjusters must clear anywhere from 50 to 100 claims a month, and they will use whatever tactic is necessary to get you to settle for the least amount possible, as quickly as possible. If you are unhappy with the final settlement amount, the adjuster may bluff and try to convince you that he or she found evidence disputing their liability.

Fearing that this development may entitle you to no claim whatsoever, you might settle for the original amount. This is only one reason why you should consider hiring a Beaumont bad faith insurance attorney to counsel you during this process. We are equally familiar with the settlement process and will protect you from any deceit on the adjuster’s behalf. Call now and set up a free consultation!

If you were involved in an accident, contact us before going toe-to-toe with a claims adjuster.