| Unfair claims settlement tactics by design | | | | Recognize that if you do reject the initial offer, it is |
| Unfortunately, most insurance claims settlement | | | | likely that the insurance company will utilize a delay of |
| negotiations are not patterned to provide you with a | | | | your legitimate claim to enhance your dilemma of |
| fair settlement. More often than not, insurance claim | | | | uncertainty. Time is costing you money. Insurers |
| settlement tactics are inherently unfair, and are | | | | are willing to gamble that this uncertainty will pressure |
| designed to pay out the lowest amount possible. | | | | you to such an extreme that you will agree to |
| Insurance companies use time to affect claims | | | | reconsider your previous settlement rejections. |
| settlements | | | | Be persistent |
| Time can manifest itself as an untimely delay to wear | | | | Be persistent with your adjuster, but beware of |
| you down, or as pressure point to force you to | | | | follow-up offers. Adjusters are authorized specific |
| settle. | | | | settlement ranges to make it appear that they are |
| While time delay tactics are the more typical | | | | fairly negotiating your claim. Understand that the |
| expectation, insurance companies likewise recognize | | | | adjuster's entire range is likely below the actual value |
| that there are specific circumstances where they are | | | | of your claim. In fact, most everyone who settles |
| more likely to keep settlements low if they can | | | | within the ranges offered are settling for less than |
| make an offer to you soon after your loss. The | | | | the value of what the claim is worth. |
| company will gamble - usually successfully - that in | | | | Know your rights |
| the immediate time frame after your loss, you are | | | | The purpose of insurance is to indemnify. This |
| more likely to accept less than before you can | | | | means you are entitled to a return to your condition |
| consider your options. Consider the following | | | | prior to your loss. You cannot profit from an |
| situations. | | | | insurance claim, but you are entitled to a fair and |
| - Expect a lowball claim settlement offer before you | | | | equitable settlement for your damages. |
| have the opportunity to research the fair market | | | | Solutions for your insurance claim |
| value of your claim. | | | | Consider these initial steps to preserve your rights |
| - If your loss involves a serious disruption in your life, | | | | and to protect yourself from unfair claims settlement |
| fighting with the insurance company is not on the | | | | tactics. |
| top of your list at that point. Expect your turmoil to | | | | - Commit your adjuster to an explanation justifying |
| result in a serious devaluation of your claim. | | | | the offer. Insurers are bound to provide you with a |
| Resist the first offer of settlement. | | | | reasonable and accurate explanation of a |
| In either of these examples, resist the first offer of | | | | compromised settlement. |
| settlement. Your time is well spent researching the | | | | - Unfair insurance claim tactics often include an |
| fair market value of your loss. Check value sources | | | | adjuster presenting himself as an "expert" in all |
| online or obtain independent repair estimates from | | | | matters relating to your claim. You must establish |
| reputable repair professionals. If you are seriously | | | | evidence that this is not the case. |
| injured, consider consultation with an attorney. | | | | |