The relationship that you have with your personal insurance agent and the quirky ads you see on TV might make you feel comfortable about reaching out to an insurance company after a crash. After all, it is your understanding that it is their job to help you and that they will want to take some of the pressure off of you.
However, those who work in insurance primarily want to protect the company that employs them. Consumers may end up making major mistakes during the claims because they put too much trust in an insurance company to treat them a certain way.
One of the most common mistakes people make involves talking directly to the insurance company, possibly as part of a recorded statement, without understanding the risks involved. Instead of making this misstep, you may need to bring in professional help when navigating a major claim.
Leading questions are a real concern
The average person would think nothing of apologizing to the insurance adjuster who is taking their statement and might think that doing so is just a sign of goodwill and personal manners. However, insurance adjusters can take little mistakes, like an apology or contradictory statements, and use those to deny someone’s claim or minimize what they receive.
The insurance adjuster wants the person pursuing the claim to settle for less than the maximum policy limit. The person making the claim might put too much trust in the company and end up accepting a settlement that won’t pay their bills. Especially if the insurance company requests the recorded statement, the person making the claim may want to bring in professional help.
A lawyer can handle the negotiations on their behalf and can help someone establish the financial value of their claim, which can be hard for a lay person to do on their own. They will also recognize when an insurance adjuster has offered a low settlement or engaged in a questionable negotiation tactic.
Instead of fielding calls from insurance professionals and expecting a favorable outcome, you may benefit from seeking legal guidance after a crash so that there is someone looking out for your best interests. Realizing that insurance companies don’t necessarily want to be generous after a car crash can help you to get the compensation you need to move on with your life following a wreck.