Insurance Company Tactics to Devalue or Deny Claims

When you are involved in a car accident, you may feel relieved that you have an insurance plan to cover the damage. You may have already spoken to an insurance adjuster at the scene. However, now that your case is in action, you may be concerned that your insurance company is using tactics to devalue or deny your claim.

Unfortunately, insurance companies are for-profit businesses, meaning their profits are a key motivator for their actions. This can lead many to settle for far less than their claim is worth. Knowing your claim’s value and watching out for these tactics can help you avoid more serious losses as you navigate your Sacramento car accident claim.

Common Tactics Insurers Use Can Hurt Your Future

When you pay into an insurance company policy, you expect this policy to provide for your needs. According to research presented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic accidents cost the U.S. $340 billion in 2019 alone, and many of these costs are covered by insurance policies. However, due to the tactics detailed below, this number may actually be much lower than it would be for good-faith payouts.

Asking for a Recorded Statement

Following an accident, providing a recorded statement of your versions of events may seem reasonable. However, anything the insurance company records can be used against you in personal injury court, potentially denying coverage for specific injuries or denying your case altogether by claiming you changed your story. Remember that you can decline to give a recorded statement.

Offering a Quick Settlement for Release of Your Claim

Getting a quick settlement at a vulnerable, scary time may seem the best option for your case. However, keep in mind that you may not recognize the full scope of your injuries at this time, and if you accept a quick settlement offer, your claim may be released. This could leave you without grounds to pursue further compensation. If your injuries worsen or you need more serious repairs for your vehicle, you could be stuck paying out of pocket.

Denying Liability for Your Injuries

When the insurance company can deny part or all liability for your injuries, it can save them money, especially if you have suffered catastrophic injuries. If the insurance company places part of the blame on you, your compensation may be reduced by that amount in accordance with pure comparative negligence laws under California Civil Code 1714. This tactic may not altogether remove your ability to recover compensation for California car accidents, but it can significantly reduce it and leave you stuck with the costs.

Delaying Answers for Your Case

When an insurance company does not want to pay for your significant injuries and damages, they may choose instead to delay their responses. The longer the delay, the more desperate you may be for the compensation you need. That can leave you desperate and accepting a settlement offer that simply does not cover your needs, which may also mean the insurer is acting in contrast to the rules laid out in the Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations Section 2695.7.

You Can Take Steps with an Attorney to Protect Your Compensation

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and because their focus is on recovering profits, you may need legal aid to protect your rights to compensation. Pushing back and getting fair compensation can be difficult when these underhanded tactics occur, but you may have grounds to do so. Fortunately, you do not have to pursue it alone.

At Rosenthal Law, we offer representation that can help you get fairly compensated, even if the insurance company is unwilling to do so. We have the resources to guide you through this process and are prepared to negotiate directly with the insurance company. Call or fill out our online contact form to learn more during a free consultation.