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Four reasons why you shouldn’t trust an insurance company

On Behalf of | Dec 23, 2022 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Recovering from a car accident is no small feat. It can take a lot of time and money, and you may be forced to endure excessive pain and physical limitation. All of this can take an emotional toll, too, that can leave you worried about your future.

In the days and weeks following your accident, you might see the promise of some relief once you start talking to your insurance company and the insurance company that covers the driver who caused your accident.

But even though these insurers may offer you quick payment that can provide you with immediate financial relief, you shouldn’t just accept what they’re willing to give you without first carefully thinking through your circumstances.

Should you trust an insurance company?

Absolutely not. Even though they may seem friendly, the insurance company’s objective is different from yours. Here are some specific reasons why you shouldn’t trust the insurance companies that approach you:

  1. They’re profit-driven: An insurance company might seem like it cares about you, but the reality is that these businesses want to make money. While this means securing as much as possible in premium payments, it also means finding ways to reduce or outright deny claims. With this in mind, the insurance company is going to look for every opening available to them to argue that you should receive less than you actually deserve.
  2. Insurance adjusters will use your statements against you: The insurance company’s representative might be nice, but they have a job to do. Therefore, they’re going to be hanging on your every word to see if you say something that justifies a reduction in your settlement amount. These may include indications that you were partially at fault for the accident. So, be careful with what you say when interacting with an adjuster, and never give a written or recorded statement without first discussing it with your attorney.
  3. They’ll withhold information from you: To make the decision that’s best for you when it comes to accepting a claim offer, you need to be fully informed. However, far too often insurance companies withhold information from accident victims in hopes of persuading them to accept a claim offer that is less than what is justified under the circumstances. Make sure that you have all of the information that you need before making a decision about your claim.
  4. Insurance companies have strong attorneys: Even if you decide to push back on your claim, you’re going to come up against the insurance company’s legal team. These attorneys know what they’re doing, which means they’re adept at convincing you to take what they’re offering. They may doubt the evidence at hand, indicate that they can’t offer more than what’s being presented, or state that a particular offer is the last one that they’re going to make. You’ll want to make sure you know how to deal with these legal tactics.