1. Pretend To Be Your Friend.
The biggest trick is for an insurance adjuster to act like they are on your side at the beginning. They hope to get you to settle your claim quickly and for a small amount.
2. Lure You With A Quick Buck.
They will offer what they act like is a lot of money at the beginning for your wreck in hopes that you will be tempted to take the quick buck. Unfortunately once you sign the release you are no longer able to go back if your injuries turn out to be much worse.
3. Fail To Pay All of Your Property Damage
Generally insurance companies will come close to paying the fair market value for your vehicle. But, paying for other property damaged (clothes, cellphones, etc) or for paying for the rental while your car is getting fixed is another matter.
They can "forget" to tell you that this is part of your property damage claim - and after the release is signed, it's too late.
4. Take A Recorded Statement.
It seems like there's no harm in giving an "informal" recorded statement to the adjuster - but the insurance company will try to make whatever you say the final truth. If you've just broken your arm, you won't notice the pain in your back until much later, but fail to mention it in the recorded statement, and it's like it never happened.
5. Hide Behind The Other Driver
Remember that it's the insurance company that pays the claim. Many people are hesitant to take legal action against another driver - most likely he just had a bad day, and he doesn't have the money to pay your medical bills anyway. The insurance company will play on this sympathy - they are the ones who ultimately pay the claim, not the other driver, and they don't want to cut the check.
6. Try To Delay
If you don't have an attorney, an insurance company will often try to run the clock out on you. There is a limited time period in which you can file a lawsuit, and if they can delay past that, then they don't have to pay you anything.
7. Tell You Not To Worry About the Medical Bills
Your auto insurance SHOULD cover medical bills incurred because of your crash. But until they actually DO, those bills are your responsibility. They may have different rules than your medical insurance (which won't pay for injuries "covered" by other insurance.)
If you're injured in a car accident, even a minor injury, it's critical that you find a lawyer early in the process.
Being in an accident is no fun, and the insurance company will act like your friend at every step of the way. It can be tough for most people to realize that their friendly neighborhood insurance agent is not the same as the faceless mega-corporation that will do everything in it's power to not pay for anything. The deck is stacked against you when the insurance company's money is at stake.
If you've been in an accident, contact Sean Keith today for your free consult.