Deceptive Insurance Industry Practices You Should Know About
Insurance Companies Seek to Make Money…
… not payout claims. If you’ve been injured in an accident, the insurance company’s biggest priority is to make sure that you receive the lowest compensation possible.
That’s the nature of doing business. The problem is, however, that the victim is the one that loses. The one that deserves compensation so they can heal ends up suffering more because the insurance companies are focused on their bottom line.
Gonzalez & Jones is focused on making sure that you don’t get taken advantage of by those companies. If you have been in a wreck, we should have a conversation to see how we can get you the maximum compensation. In the meantime, these are some of the most common deceptive practices you may encounter when dealing with insurance companies.
Deceptive Insurance Industry Practices
Insurance companies don’t want to get shut down. So while these practices might be deceptive, they often aren’t entirely illegal.
Delaying a Claim
Insurance companies, in general, must investigate the claim within 30 days. Waiting until the last minute means you’re anxious about the settlement, and you may be willing to accept a low offer.
Expediting a Claim
The opposite of delaying a claim works as well. Long before they know the full extent of the injuries, the insurance company may offer a settlement that they are certain will be less than adequate to meet your needs. Their plan is that you are quick to accept it because they were so speedy with a response.
Pressure to Accept a Settlement Offer
The insurance company may pressure you to accept an offer with the implication that you get nothing if you reject it. The initial settlement offer is the beginning of the negotiations, not the end.
Claiming Injuries are Pre-Existing
When you document your injuries, and have medical records to prove them, these claims are easily debunked. But insurance companies may still try to claim that you were injured before the wreck, not during it.
Manipulation to Admit Fault
Every car crash lawyer will tell you not to speak with the insurance companies; all you have to say is, “All questions can be directed to Gonzalez & Jones.” Words are easily twisted, and if you accidentally admit fault, they might deny your claim.
Encourage you NOT to Hire an Attorney
Many insurance companies will use two claims if you say you are working with an attorney. One: they claim it will drag the settlement offer out for much longer than you want. Two: you will not receive as much compensation because you have to pay lawyer fees. These aren’t entirely correct, and if you are injured, then you absolutely should hire an attorney.
Unreturned Phone Calls or Emails
When you won’t budge, insurance companies start to act like a small child by stubbornly refusing to acknowledge you. When your bills pile up they know you’ll frantically call to accept their offer, so they just avoid you until you do so.
Gonzalez & Jones – Personal Injury Lawyer in Hollister, California
Want to know the best way to avoid dealing with sleazy and deceptive insurance industry practices?
Contact Gonzalez & Jones right away so that you don’t even have to bother with the insurance companies.
This gives you the time needed to attend those doctor appointments, focus on healing from your injuries, and not worry about accidentally saying the wrong thing to the insurance adjuster.
We give you peace of mind to heal after an accident. So let’s have a quick conversation to ensure we’re a good fit. Call us at 408-848-2208, or schedule your free personal injury case review through our website.