What Insurance Adjusters Won’t Tell You

When you file an insurance claim, you expect the insurance adjuster to be upfront and honest with you. However, there are some things that insurance adjusters are not required to tell you, and these things could impact your claim.

Insurance adjusters are not required to tell you:

• The full extent of your coverage. Your insurance policy is a legal contract, and it outlines your coverage limits and exclusions. However, insurance adjusters are not required to explain all of the details of your policy to you. This means that you could be surprised by what is and is not covered when you file a claim.
• The value of your claim. Insurance adjusters are responsible for determining the value of your claim. However, they are not required to share this information with you. This means that you could end up accepting a settlement that is less than what you are entitled to.
• The reasons for their decisions. Insurance adjusters are not required to explain why they make certain decisions. This can be frustrating for policyholders, who may feel like they are being treated unfairly.
• That you have the right to appeal a denied claim. If your insurance claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. However, insurance adjusters are not required to tell you this. This means that you could miss out on your chance to get the coverage you deserve.

How to protect yourself

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from insurance adjusters who are not being upfront and honest with you:

• Read your insurance policy carefully. Make sure you understand your coverage limits and exclusions.
• Ask questions. If you don’t understand something, ask your insurance adjuster to explain it to you.
• Get everything in writing. Make sure you get all of the insurance adjuster’s promises and commitments in writing.
• Consider hiring an attorney. If you feel like you are being treated unfairly by your insurance adjuster, you may want to consider hiring an attorney.

By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from insurance adjusters who are not being upfront and honest with you.

What Insurance Adjusters Won’t Tell You

Insurance adjusters play a crucial role in the claims process, assessing the extent of damages and determining the appropriate compensation. However, there are certain things they might not readily disclose that could affect your claim. Understanding these unspoken truths can help you navigate the insurance process more effectively.

1. They Have a Bias Towards the Insurance Company

Insurance adjusters are employed by the insurance company, which creates a natural bias in their decision-making. They are tasked with protecting the company’s financial interests, which may lead them to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether.

2. They May Undervalue Your Claim

Insurance adjusters might undervalue your claim to save the insurance company money. They may use various tactics to justify a lower payout, such as:

• Using Outdated Pricing Information: They might rely on outdated pricing data, which can significantly undervalue your claim.

• Ignoring Certain Damages: They may overlook certain damages or minimize their severity to reduce the payout.

• Applying Depreciation: They might apply depreciation to your belongings, reducing their value even if they are relatively new.

3. They May Deny Your Claim Based on Technicalities

Insurance adjusters might deny your claim based on technicalities in the policy. They may argue that:

• You Failed to Disclose Information: They might claim that you failed to disclose relevant information on your insurance application, even if it was an honest oversight.

• You Violated a Policy Provision: They might point to a specific policy provision that you allegedly violated, even if it is ambiguous or outdated.

• The Damage Is Not Covered: They may argue that the damage is not covered under your policy, even if it seems like it should be.

4. They May Pressure You to Settle Quickly

Insurance adjusters might pressure you to settle your claim quickly, before you have a chance to fully assess the extent of your damages. They may use tactics like:

• Offering a Lowball Settlement: They might offer you a lowball settlement, hoping you’ll accept it to avoid a lengthy claims process.

• Using Emotional Appeals: They might try to guilt you into accepting a low settlement by appealing to your emotions.

• Threatening to Deny Your Claim: They might threaten to deny your claim altogether if you don’t accept their offer.

5. They May Delay the Claims Process

Insurance adjusters might intentionally delay the claims process to discourage you from pursuing your claim. They may:

• Request Excessive Documentation: They might ask for excessive documentation, hoping you’ll give up out of frustration.

• Fail to Respond to Your Inquiries: They might fail to respond to your phone calls, emails, or letters, leaving you in limbo.

• Delay Settlement Payments: Even after reaching a settlement agreement, they might delay sending you the payment, hoping you’ll lose interest in pursuing the matter.

6. They May Encourage You to Use Their Preferred Contractors

Insurance adjusters might encourage you to use their preferred contractors for repairs or replacements. This is because they have a financial relationship with these contractors, which can lead to higher costs for you.

7. They May Try to Avoid Sending an Adjuster to Inspect the Damage

In some cases, insurance adjusters might try to avoid sending an adjuster to inspect the damage. This is because an adjuster’s report could provide evidence that supports a higher payout.

8. They May Try to Steer You Away from Legal Help

If you are having trouble with your insurance claim, insurance adjusters might try to steer you away from seeking legal help. They may:

• Intimidate You: They might try to intimidate you with legal jargon or threats of litigation.

• Misrepresent Your Rights: They might misrepresent your rights or the strength of your case to discourage you from pursuing legal action.

• Offer to Mediate: They might offer to mediate the dispute, but this is often a tactic to delay the process and avoid a fair settlement.

9. They May Be Overwhelmed and Undertrained

Insurance adjusters are often overworked and undertrained. This can lead to mistakes, delays, and unfair treatment of policyholders.

10. They Are Not Always Honest

Unfortunately, some insurance adjusters may resort to dishonest practices to deny or minimize claims. This can include:

• Lying About Policy Coverage: They might claim that certain damages are not covered when they actually are.

• Fabricating Evidence: They might fabricate evidence to support their denial of a claim.

• Colluding with Contractors: They might collude with contractors to inflate repair costs or to provide shoddy workmanship.

Conclusion

Insurance adjusters play a critical role in the claims process, but it’s essential to be aware of the potential biases and tactics they may use. By understanding these unspoken truths, you can protect your rights and ensure you receive a fair settlement for your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What should I do if I disagree with the insurance adjuster’s assessment of my claim?

• Contact your insurance company’s customer service department and explain your disagreement.
• Request a copy of your insurance policy and carefully review the coverage and exclusions.
• Consider getting a second opinion from an independent expert.
• If you still believe your claim has been unfairly denied or undervalued, you may need to file a complaint with your state’s insurance regulatory agency or consider legal action.

1. How can I avoid being pressured into a quick settlement?

• Don’t sign anything until you have had a chance to fully assess the extent of your damages and understand your rights under your insurance policy.
• Get everything in writing.
• Don’t be afraid to negotiate with the insurance adjuster.
• If you are feeling pressured, consider seeking legal advice.

1. What should I do if the insurance adjuster is delaying my claim?

• Contact your insurance company’s customer service department and ask to speak to a supervisor.
• File a complaint with your state’s insurance regulatory agency.
• Consider legal action.

1. Can I sue my insurance company if they deny my claim?

• Yes, you may be able to sue your insurance company if they deny your claim. However, it’s important to consult with an attorney to discuss your specific situation and the likelihood of success.

1. How can I find a reputable insurance adjuster?

• Ask friends, family, or neighbors for recommendations.
• Check online review sites.
• Contact your state’s insurance regulatory agency for a list of licensed insurance adjusters.