5 Reasons the Insurance Adjuster IS NOT Your Friend
If you were in an accident, you can almost guarantee a phone call with the insurance adjuster. You know, the person who tells you to take your car to this great dealer just down the street, or who can offer a settlement over the phone right at this very moment… but don’t fall for it. Here are five reasons the insurance adjuster is NOT your friend:
1. Use Their Body Shop
Believe it or not, there are often times where companies use specific repair shops because the fix-up can be quick and cheap. It’s a low-cost alternative to finding a mechanic who can truly do good work. Sometimes, these cheap repairs can end up costing you thousands in the long run. So, don’t settle.
2. No Really, Don’t Settle
Insurance adjusters will often persuade you to sign a general release that you think is just for the cost of repair. What they’re actually trying to do though, is to get you to accept money to cover everything. Bodily injury, rental coverage, medical expenses. So don’t settle quick. Let a trained legal team — like Fraser & Souweidane — handle those kinds of inquiries.
3. Don’t Put It on Record
Often times, an adjuster might ask for you to make a recorded statement regarding your accident. However, it’s not necessary, and we advise strongly against it. They’re looking for you to slip up and make some kind of mistake that can be used against you in court.
4. Get it Through Email
Another tactic insurance adjusters will use against you is to only communicate via the phone. By utilizing email, you’re able to keep a paper trail (well, electronic in this case) of what was being said from both parties. Trust us, the more you have to work in your case, the better.
5. An Early Payment
Lastly, we want to remind you to never settle before you know what your future medical treatment will be. There’s a reason that settlements can be drawn out for many months, sometimes years in fact, and that can be dependent on whether one party needs extended medical care or not. Never accept a settlement before consulting with your lawyer, especially if you’re still being treated for your injuries.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a car accident, contact us today. We’ve been protecting Eastside families for over 40 years — so, let us protect yours.