Insurance Adjuster

Five Things You Need to Know When Dealing with an Insurance Adjuster in Los Angeles

Dealing with an insurance claims adjuster can be tricky. Their job is to pay you as little as possible for your claim if they cannot find a way to deny your claim entirely. Therefore, there are some things to keep in mind when dealing with an insurance adjuster.

1.  The Adjuster Does Not Work for You

A claims adjuster may try to be your “friend” during the claims process. However, the insurance adjuster does not work for you. His job is to protect the insurance company’s best interest.

Therefore, the claims adjuster tries to limit the company’s liability for your damages. In other words, an adjuster will pay you as little as possible to get you to sign a settlement agreement. The settlement agreement releases the insurance company, at-fault party, and all other parties from liability for damages.

When you sign a settlement agreement, you cannot demand more money for your claim. Even if you discover that you have additional injuries or damages, you cannot sue the person who caused your injury for additional compensation. 

2.  Your Statements to a Claims Adjuster Could Hurt Your Chance of Recovery

The claims adjuster tries to get you to say something the insurance company could use against you to lower the value of your claim or deny your insurance claim. Therefore, it is never in your best interest to agree to a written or recorded statement without first talking to a personal injury attorney. 

Likewise, do not sign a medical records release without talking to a lawyer. The release you sign might give the insurance company access to your entire medical history instead of the medical records related to the accident injury. 

3.  Claims Adjusters Do Not Tell You the Actual Value of Damages

Most accident victims understand they are entitled to economic damages for their medical bills and lost wages. However, they may not understand that they can receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses and other financial losses. 

Furthermore, they may also be entitled to compensation for future lost wages, long-term nursing care, diminished earning potential, and other damages related to permanent impairments and disabilities.

Additionally, injured parties may receive compensation for their non-economic damages or “pain and suffering” damages. These damages include emotional suffering, physical pain, mental trauma, diminished quality of life, and permanent impairments. 

The value of non-economic damages can be substantial. However, insurance adjusters undervalue these damages. Without a lawyer, you might not realize how much your personal injury claim is worth. 

4.  An Insurance Adjuster Might Blame You for Causing Your Injury

Insurance adjusters use California’s comparative negligence laws to undervalue claims. Comparative negligence allows a court to decrease an injured party’s compensation by their percentage of fault for causing their injuries. 

Therefore, the insurance adjuster may try to unfairly blame you for contributing to the cause of the accident. The adjuster may use statements you make to shift some of the blame to you, even though you had nothing to do with the cause of the accident. 

5.  Initial Settlement Offers Are Generally Not in Your Best Interest

Insurance adjusters know that you need money to pay living expenses and medical bills after an accident or injury. They use your financial hardship to settle a claim quickly for less than the claim is worth. Most initial settlement offers are lower than the value of your claim. 

You are not required to accept an initial settlement offer. However, unless the insurance company pays the full policy limits, it is trying to save money by offering a quick settlement before you consult with a lawyer about your personal injury case.