HOW TO DEAL WITH INSURANCE ADJUSTERS

Once you have notified your claim to the insurance company, you will be assigned an adjuster who will be dealing with your case. One thing you should be clear is that the adjuster works for the insurance company and will try to minimize your settlement as far as possible. Dealing and negotiating with an insurance adjuster is not easy, and it would be best to consult a lawyer if your claim is substantial. However, here are two important tips for dealing with adjusters.

Be Polite and Respectful

Try to deal with the adjuster at a more personal level. For instance, you could use the adjuster’s first name and talk a little about family life and so on. Mention that you appreciate the adjuster taking time to look into your case and mention the difficulties you are facing because of your injuries. An insurance adjuster will be dealing with about 150 claims at a given time, and it will not be helpful if you start being pushy or impatient. In addition, demeaning the role of the adjuster during your conversation is going to be highly counterproductive to your case.

You can tell them that your attorney is going to deal with them and that they are on the way and/or have already been at your home or met with you in the hospital. You can shrewdly inform them that you know they are busy and that their caseload is heavy so you do not want to take too much of their time up. You can use their busy schedule and their case load against them but be sincere about it―this is not the time for sarcasm.

You and the insurance adjuster are already fundamentally on different sides, you do not need to make this chasm deeper or wider with attacks on their profession or person.

Be a Stern Listener

Initially the adjuster will spend some time explaining that your claim is high, and why your injuries do not merit such an amount. This is the usual rhetoric you are likely to hear from any insurance company, and therefore there is no reason to get upset. While the adjuster is explaining all this, there is no need to cut him off, or be impatient. Calmly listen to whatever he is saying, since this is the opportunity to know what the defense counsel is likely to present, if the case goes to trial. If your perceive weaknesses in your case, you can present your side of the story in better light after consulting your lawyer.