How to Scare an Insurance Adjuster | Standing Your Ground

A recent AMA on Reddit featured an insurance adjuster who welcomed questions about the claim process. The most upvoted question and answer established what any good personal injury lawyer would tell you about how to scare an insurance adjuster. Here’s how to scare an insurance adjuster: The number one way to scare an insurance adjuster is to hire an attorney.

Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Why?

First and foremost, many trial lawyers like the ones at Varghese Summersett operate on a contingency fee basis – which means there are not out of pocket costs.
Moreover, personal injury lawyers develop trust relationships with medical providers so that you can get the medical care you need without coming out of pocket for those expenses.
Something that might be counterintuitive is the fact that when a lawyer is on a claim, the claim gets assigned to a more senior adjuster – the senior adjuster will in turn have far more authority to settle a claim at a higher value than the front line adjuster would have.

Finally, to quote the insurance adjuster,

“We do pay out on more on attorney-represented claims. Otherwise they wouldn’t settle and it would cost us a lot more in litigation.”

Additional Tips on How to Scare Insurance Adjusters

Understand the Role of Insurance Adjusters

An insurance adjuster’s job is to assess the value of an insurance claim and make a settlement offer to the claimant. While they may seem friendly and helpful, their primary goal is to save their company money by offering the lowest possible settlement.

Understand they are taught to Deny, Defend, and Delay.

Deny, Defend, and Delay is an Adjuster’s Mantra

Deny

Adjusters may outright deny a claim by disputing the insured’s coverage, arguing that the incident falls outside the scope of the policy. They may also assert that the claimant’s damages are not covered or question the claimant’s injuries.

Defend

Insurance adjusters may aggressively defend their company’s position by challenging the claimant’s account of the accident or the severity of their injuries. They may also enlist the help of experts to discredit the claimant’s case, creating doubt and reducing the potential settlement.

Delay

Insurance adjusters may use delaying tactics to wear down claimants, hoping they’ll accept a lower settlement or abandon their claim altogether. Delays can include requests for additional documentation, slow response times, or drawn-out negotiations.

Strategies to Scare Insurance Adjusters into Offering Fair Settlements

Know the Value of Your Claim

Your attorney’s knowledge about the value of your claim can intimidate insurance adjusters. We have experience and research that covers similar cases. Consult with a Varghese Summersett attorney to determine an appropriate settlement range. This knowledge will signal to the adjuster that lowball offers won’t be tolerated.

Document Everything Thoroughly

We gather and organize all relevant documents, including medical records, bills, witness statements, and photos of the scene or injury. Detailed documentation shows the adjuster that you have a strong case.

Avoid Giving Recorded Statements

Insurance adjusters may ask for a recorded statement to use against you later. Politely decline, and instead consult with a Varghese Summersett attorney who can help you respond appropriately.

Set a Deadline for Settlement

Setting a deadline for the adjuster to respond to your settlement demand can create a sense of urgency. A Varghese Summersett attorney can help you determine a reasonable deadline and communicate it to the adjuster, ensuring they understand the consequences of not meeting it.

Leverage the Expertise of Varghese Summersett Attorneys

Our attorneys are well-versed in Texas law and will fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve. We will:

Thoroughly investigate your claim
Negotiate on your behalf
Represent you in court if necessary

Be Prepared with Facts and Figures

Gather all necessary information about your claim, including costs, damages, and relevant evidence to provide to your lawyer. Having a clear understanding of the facts will put you in a stronger negotiating position.

Stay Organized

With your attorney’s help organize all your claim-related documents, such as medical records, bills, witness statements, and photos, in a systematic manner. This will demonstrate your diligence and make it harder for the adjuster to dispute your claim.

Be Patient and Persistent

Insurance adjusters may try to wear you down with delays and lowball offers. Stay patient and persistent, and don’t accept an unfair settlement out of frustration. Remember that negotiations can take time.

Maintain a Professional Tone

To the extent that you initially talk to an adjuster, always remain calm and professional during interactions with the adjuster. Let them know you’ve hired an attorney (or are hiring one) and to direct all communication to the lawyer. Avoid getting emotional or confrontational, as this may hinder your negotiation process.

Enlist the Help of a Skilled Attorney

Having a knowledgeable attorney from Varghese Summersett on your side can be invaluable. They can provide expert advice, handle communications with the adjuster, and fight for the best possible settlement on your behalf.

Attorney Demand Letters Scare Insurance Adjusters

Understanding the Role of Attorney Demand Letters

An attorney demand letter is a formal, written communication from a lawyer representing a client who has a legal claim against another party. It outlines the facts of the case, the damages incurred, and the amount sought for compensation. The demand letter serves several important purposes in the negotiation and resolution process.

Why Attorney Demand Letters Are So Important

Establishing a Strong Legal Position

A well-crafted demand letter prepared by an experienced attorney demonstrates that the claimant is serious about pursuing their claim and is prepared to take legal action if necessary. This can encourage the opposing party to engage in settlement negotiations more willingly.

Presenting a Clear and Organized Case

Attorney demand letters provide a clear and organized presentation of the claimant’s case, including relevant facts, evidence, and legal arguments. This clarity can make it difficult for the opposing party to dispute the claim, increasing the likelihood of a favorable settlement.

Setting the Stage for Negotiations

A demand letter serves as the starting point for negotiations. It states the claimant’s desired compensation, giving the opposing party a clear understanding of the claimant’s expectations and providing a basis for further negotiation.

Preserving Legal Rights

In some cases, sending a demand letter may be required to preserve the claimant’s legal rights. For instance, certain claims may require a demand letter to be sent within a specific time frame to comply with statutes of limitations.

To recap, insurance adjusters are trained to employ tactics such as denial, defense, and delay to minimize claim payouts. To scare insurance adjusters into offering a fair settlement, it is essential to stay informed, organized, persistent, and patient – and hire the right counsel.

By hiring Varghese Summersett, you gain a powerful ally with extensive experience in dealing with insurance adjusters. Our attorneys are well-versed in Texas law, negotiation tactics, and strategies to counter adjusters’ maneuvers. They will thoroughly investigate your claim, develop an effective negotiation strategy, and represent you in court if necessary.

With Varghese Summersett on your side, you can confidently confront insurance adjusters, protect your rights, and secure the compensation you deserve. Don’t face insurance adjusters alone; call Varghese Summersett today at (817) 207-4878 or contact us online to discuss your case.