Tactics Car Insurance Companies Use to Devalue or Deny Valid Claims
A car insurance company provides financial protection in the event of an accident, promising to pay for the losses victims suffer when their policyholder makes a mistake. Yet, there are many restrictions and limitations on this process, and it is quite common for these companies to use any strategy they can to reduce what they pay out. Consider the following tactics car insurance companies use to devalue or even deny valid claims from our Newnan car accident lawyer at Kam, Ebersbach & Lewis, P.C..
Delaying the Process
Delays are one way insurance companies reduce the value of your claim or may even deny it. These delays often are a way to frustrate the claimant, often making the victim want to settle for less if they can just settle sooner. Some may hope you simply abandon your claim if they put enough pressure on you to provide additional information.
A common sign that the insurance company may be doing this is their repeated requests for additional information. They may take a long time to review your claim and then ask for information that may not seem relevant, such as medical bills from prior to your accident.
Low Settlements for Less
Initial and rapid settlements are a way insurance companies may devalue your claim. They are hoping you will agree to a much lower amount than what is owed. In some cases, they may know that your case could be worth much more if your injuries continue or worsen, and by getting you to settle now for less, they reduce the amount of compensation they pay out.
If you do not know the value of your case and you agree to a settlement, you may end up forfeiting additional compensation. Never believe an initial, fast settlement is the best for you.
Disputing Injuries
There are several tactics insurance companies may employ to back out of your claim altogether. For many, they may outright deny the injury relates to the accident. They may say the injury is not as severe as you are claiming it to be. In other situations, the insurance company may say that you are engaging in activities that you could not do if you truly had the injuries you do. Your social media statements or claims of doing “well” when asked could be used against you.
Stating you have pre-existing conditions that could have caused your injuries is another tactic like this. They may dispute that this injury came from this incident. For example, the adjuster may try to use old medical records that show you had a back injury five years ago to say this is the cause of your existing pain.
Other Types of Tactics Car Insurance Companies Pursue
Consider a few additional strategies car insurance companies use to reduce compensation paid:
- They blame you for the accident.
- They may use statements you place on social media to show you are not suffering in pain.
- They may try to use the language in the policy to deny your claim as an effort to deny your damages are covered.
- Some threaten that you need to act immediately to receive compensation. Remember, you have 2 years under Georgia law to file a lawsuit for personal injury claims.
- Some may use a recorded statement against you out of context.
With so many tactics car insurance companies use to devalue or deny valid claims, it is nearly always beneficial to seek legal advice. Call our Newnan personal injury lawyers at Kam, Ebersbach & Lewis, P.C. today to schedule a free consultation.