After an accident, there may be many pieces that need to be put back together. While you are going through this difficult process it may come as an afterthought that you need to speak with your insurance company regarding your claim. After all, the accident occurred due to someone else's negligence.
As an insurance policy holder, speaking with an insurance adjuster may feel like speaking with your advocate while you are dealing with the medical and emotional aftermath of your accident, but navigating through the complexities of an insurance claim can be a risky endeavor.
After an accident caused by another individual's negligence, expect an insurance adjuster to approach you, seeking answers and statements. What will you do when they approach you? Let’s think about the goals of insurance companies before we answer any of their questions.
Technically, insurance companies are meant to provide aid to insured individuals who have gone through an injury or a loss. But, and this is a big but, your wellbeing is not their first priority.
The prevailing misconception is that insurance companies exist primarily to ensure that injured individuals, or those who have experienced a loss, receive adequate compensation for their losses. In reality, this belief is far from the truth. The fact is, all insurance companies run on profit-driven business models.
Practically speaking, insurance companies have one primary purpose -- to generate profits. Ideally for them, their goal is to minimize the amount of money paid out annually in claims, thereby increasing revenue and maximizing profits.
With that in mind, when an insurance adjuster engages you in conversation regarding injuries or losses suffered due to someone else's negligence, the adjuster’s primary objective is to obtain a statement that can be used to limit the financial responsibility of the insurance company.
Let's be clear about this answer. When an adjuster approaches you, refrain from engaging in any conversation with them until you have trusted legal representation. Furthermore, do not even agree to speak with an adjuster unless advised to do so by your injury lawyer.
Though the adjuster may imply that you have a duty to provide information about the accident and your injuries, this is simply not the case. It is essential to understand that you are not legally obligated to answer any questions from an insurance adjuster. When the adjuster contacts you, if you have hired a Kansas City car accident attorney, you can provide them with your lawyer's information. Any attempts made by the adjuster or any representative of the insurance company to obtain information from you should be directed to your trusted attorney.
Remember, insurance companies are businesses. While they are there to help individuals who have coverage, they are also happy to deny help if their specific parameters are not met in a claim. For this reason you are taking a risk when making statements or answering questions posed by insurance adjusters without legal representation.
Part of an insurance adjuster's job is to find any possible holes in your claim. Keep in mind that an adjuster is likely to contact you soon after the incident, before you have gathered all the necessary information about your injuries, damages and losses.
It takes time to evaluate the whole situation after an accident, but an adjuster may contact you before the full extent of your injuries, damages or losses are known. While your statements may not be made with the full knowledge of your damages, whatever you share is recorded and will be referenced if it undermines your claim.
A skilled lawyer understands that it's important to take your time before responding to an insurance adjuster. They can help you navigate the process of answering questions and providing statements about the accident and your injuries. This is crucial to ensure that all the necessary information is communicated to the insurance company according to your policy.
Dealing with insurance claims can be complicated, especially after going through a potentially traumatic event. It's not advisable to handle it on your own. Instead, rely on an attorney who has extensive knowledge of when, why, where and how to share information or respond to questions about the accident. They will work to get you the compensation you deserve from your insurance company.
