Insurance Adjusters How They Work And How They Think
Here comes the insurance adjuster. Is he overly friendly? If so, watch out! It's OK to be hospitable. Be good-tempered and cordial - - but beware! Never forget he's paid to save his company as much money as he can. That's the name of his game.
DON'T SIGN ANYTHING: Don't overestimate the good will of the adjuster. They're trained to investigate accident cases in such a way, if at all possible, to make their insured look good. Many unsuspecting individuals fall prey to the adjuster who seeks to protect his company's pocketbook at the expense of a legitimate claimant.
If a company calls you and suggests they take your statement over the telephone, tell them you would prefer to meet with an adjuster. Don't agree to dictate a verbal statement into a tape recorder over the phone, and certainly not when you're in the presence of an adjuster. Don't sign a statement when you meet with him. Whatever the circumstance may be, advise whomever you're dealing with that you'll be more than willing to provide a signed statement, after your claim has been settled.
HOW TO PROCEED WITH THE ADJUSTER: Be pleasant, but firm. No matter how much in the wrong the person is that hit you, no matter how they acted at the scene of the accident, and no matter what they may have verbalized to or at you, don't take it out on the adjuster. It's not the adjuster's fault if his insured is an idiot.
You must never underestimate the importance of the adjuster's impressions and conclusions, all of which go into your file. What he feels and reports about you have a great influence on the final disposition of your claim. If he likes you that's money in the bank. On the other hand, if he gets upset with you he has the ability to twist the facts to make you look bad. Once that's been done, it will be set in cement, go into your file and, without you're ever being aware of it and haunt you to the last dollar of your settlement.
THE ADJUSTERS CLAIM LOAD: The job performance of insurance adjusters is judged not only on how little of the company's money they spend in settlements, but also on how quickly they settle the claims assigned to them. They're constantly under pressure to settle your claim; to get rid of it and move on. The adjuster will never tell you, but the weight of their caseload comes down on your side of the scale. It's an advantage people are never aware of.
THE ADJUSTERS SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY: The Adjuster's authority to settle claims on their own is restricted on how much experience they have. For a less experienced adjuster, perhaps $5,000 to $10,000, but for a more experienced adjuster, their settlement authority may go as high as $20,000. When bigger bucks are involved they usually have to be given permission to settle the case from their immediate supervisor.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Don't let a sweet talking insurance adjuster manipulate you into feeling good about your relationship with him and the eventual outcome of your claim. In the vast majority of instances that's not the way you should play the game because if provided with the opportunity, they'll almost always take advantage of you. That's a fact of life. Know and understand that they're only doing their job. Their assignment is to save money for the company who signs their paychecks - - no matter what it takes.
If you have a legitimate claim stay cool and understand what you're up against. Don't be impossible to deal with, but remain steady. Remember that the adjuster wants to look good to his company. He doesn't want your claim to end up in court, plus he wants to reduce his caseload. Be patient. At the end of the day, after the dust has settled, he'll be forced to do the right thing.
DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this claim tip is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga nor (name of magazine/newsletter and/or web site) make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is the INDIVIDUAL'S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.
Dan Baldyga's latest book AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) can be found on the internet at his web site http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com or visit your favoite bookstore.
Copyright (c) 2002 Daniel G. Baldyga. All rights reserved.
Dan Baldyga
About The Author
For 30 years Dan Baldyga was a claims adjuster, supervisor, manager and also a trial assistant. He is now retired and spends his time attempting to assist those involved in motor vehicle accident claims so they will not be taken advantage of.
Latest News
 Boston Globe | Health Insurance Trade Group Proposal Praised By Sen Kennedy CNNMoney.com - WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- A proposal unveiled Wednesday by the health insurance industry would provide universal health coverage and hack away at medical ... Insurers announce health reform proposals Insurers like Obama health plan, with reservations Insurance industry positions itself for the fight ahead |
 WNCT | Insurance rise at coast could help protect plan Forbes, NY - By GARY D. ROBERTSON , 12.03.08, 11:58 AM EST Property owners in 18 coastal counties soon will pay more for insurance premiums through a state-sanctioned ... Insurers Urge Surcharges, Reforms to Fix North Carolina Beach Plan Insurance rise at coast could help protect plan Coast's risks may sting state |
70 Percent of Cruise Insurance Claims Occur Prior to Cruising ... MarketWatch - DANBURY, CT, Dec 03, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- According to iTravelInsured, 70 percent of all cruise insurance claims occur before you begin your ... |
NIIT Technologies Announces Key Appointments to Insurance and ... MarketWatch - Goutam Kundu, an Insurance industry specialist joins NIIT as Global Practice Head - Insurance Vertical. In this role he will work closely with the sales ... |
Convergence of Negative Economic Factors to Severely Test US ... MarketWatch - These factors will force insurance carriers to adopt new skills and business discipline in order to survive the economic turmoil, according to new research ... |
Life Insurance Patent Issued for Future System Advisors, LLC MarketWatch - The FSLM is an entirely new form of life insurance that solves many of the problems caused by traditional product chassis, such as UL and VUL RGA Financial ... |
AM Best Affirms Ratings of Universal American Corp. and Most of ... MarketWatch - The rating affirmations reflect Universal American's improved statutory operating results and growing regional presence in the senior health insurance ... |
DTRIC Insurance Company in Production With DRC's DecisionMaker for ... MarketWatch - (DRC) today announced that DTRIC Insurance Company is now in production with DRC's DecisionMaker Policy Administration System. ... |
Sheboygan Falls Insurance acquired The Business Journal of Milwaukee Bizjournals.com, NC - Sheboygan Falls Insurance, which operates only in Wisconsin, underwrites a broad line of personal lines products, including auto, homeowners, dwelling fire ... |
 Salem-News.Com | Nurses Reject AHIP Proposal as a 'Marshall Plan for Health Insurers' MarketWatch - DeMoro noted the precarious position of these insurance corporations. CIGNA's stock has fallen by 78 percent, from a 52-week high, while Humana stock has ... Nurses Reject AHIP Proposal as a 'Marshall Plan for Health Insurers' New Report Shows Slower Premium Growth, But Increasing Pressure to ... |
Resources
-
The Secret Information Site
"
-
Pet Insurance
Discover the secrets that pet Insurance companies don't want you to know.
-
Safety Employment Safety Jobs
Jobs in occupational safety, Insurance loss control, health/environmental, etc.
-
Free Prescription Medicine at Medicine For Free - Home
Free Prescription Medicine is Available to those who qualify. Millions of Americans daily choose between buying food or medicine. This choice is often a life or death matter faced by those with no Insurance to cover medicine or governmental prescription a
-
Welcome to PMI Savings :: Save On or Get Rid of Hidden Mortgage Insurance
How to Cancel Pmi with Official Form.
-
Real French Life ebook
Real French Life eBook guide to schooling, Insurance, day to day life and more in France.
-
Sales Lead Generation. Health Insurance, Real Estate, Life Insurance, Mortgage Leads and MLM Leads
Sales Lead Generation for Pennies. Learn How We Generate Business Sales Leads using our Affordable,Proven Sales Lead Generation System.
-
Annuity Online Quote Annuities Fixed Variable Immediate Equity Indexed Annuity Retirement Planning I
Annuity annuities online quote comparison variable fixed annuity indexed retirement planning tax deferred immediate annuity investment retirement annuity planning Fixed Annuity Life Insurance Company Annuity Rate Comparison Variable Life Annuities Definit
-
Insurance Leads Generation
Insurance Leads Generation
-
Used Cars For Sale By Owner, Used Car Dealers, Sell Your Used Car Free, Auto Insurance, Financing -
Used cars for sale by private owners, sellers, sell used cars free, dealerships, used car finder service, used cars quotes, used car financing, and more.