The Top Auto Insurance Adjuster Tricks to Watch Out For in Florida

Dealing with car insurance adjusters when you are involved in an accident can be a challenging experience for many individuals. These professionals are tasked with evaluating claims and determining settlement amounts, but their primary goal is to minimize payouts for the benefit of their employer, the insurance company. Understanding the tactics used by auto insurance claims adjusters is crucial for anyone involved in a Florida auto accident claim or property damage case.

This article sheds light on the top tricks employed by Florida auto insurance adjusters that claimants should be aware of. From the “friendly adjuster act” to social media surveillance, these tactics can have an impact on the outcome of your insurance claim. By familiarizing yourself with these strategies, you can better protect your rights and interests when you are involved in an auto accident.

The Friendly Adjuster Act: Beware of False Allies

Why do adjusters act friendly?

When individuals contact their insurance company after an accident, they are often connected with an adjuster. These professionals are responsible for analyzing evidence, valuing losses, inspecting damage, and investigating fault attribution to determine appropriate payouts . However, it's crucial to understand that adjusters are employees of the insurance company, which means they have an inherent incentive to minimize payouts and are evaluated by their employer by how low they can pay out a claim.

The fact that the adjuster assigned to your case works for the insurance company, that means they are not “on your side.” By acting friendly and caring, they are trying to establish trust and make you feel comfortable, hoping that you will “open up” and begin volunteering information that may hurt your case. Most importantly, the adjuster wants to you feel confident that they are going to take care of you and that you do not need to hire a lawyer.

Risks of trusting adjusters

The friendly demeanor of adjusters can be misleading. They may employ various tactics to reduce claim values, such as pressuring claimants to settle quickly before fully assessing the extent of their losses. Some adjusters might downplay injuries, misinterpret policy terms, or intentionally delay claim investigations to frustrate claimants into accepting lower settlements.

In extreme cases, adjusters might even engage in unethical practices. For instance, there have been allegations of adjusters misrepresenting evidence to deny claims or initiating unnecessary investigations. These actions highlight the potential risks of trusting adjusters implicitly.

Maintaining professional boundaries

To protect their interests, claimants should maintain professional boundaries when dealing with insurance adjusters. It's important to remember that adjusters work for the insurance company, not the claimant. Being cautious about recorded statements and avoiding admissions of fault are crucial steps in preserving one's claim.

Claimants should also be wary of adjusters who discourage them from seeking legal representation. This tactic is often employed because adjusters know that involving an attorney typically results in higher payouts for the injured party. By maintaining a professional distance and seeking appropriate legal advice when necessary, claimants can better navigate the claims process and protect their rights.

Recorded Statements: A Trap for the Unwary

Why adjusters want recorded statements

Insurance adjusters often request recorded statements to gather information about accidents, assess claim validity, and determine liability. These statements serve as a baseline for injuries and damages, which can be problematic if conditions worsen over time. Adjusters aim to document recollections while memories are fresh, but their true agenda is to limit payouts and to take advantage of people who have just experienced a traumatic accident and are injured, scared and vulnerable.

Risks of giving statements

Providing recorded statements exposes claimants to many risks. Inconsistencies between statements can be used to challenge claim validity. Providing information immediately after an accident may lead to omitting crucial details. Pressure tactics employed by adjusters can elicit harmful statements. Words may be taken out of context or misinterpreted, causing disputes and delays. Even seemingly innocent statements like "I'm sorry" can have serious consequences on claim outcomes.

How to handle statement requests

When faced with a request for a recorded statement, it's crucial to proceed with caution. Claimants are not legally required to provide recorded statements to insurance companies. If asked, politely decline and explain the need to seek legal advice first. We strongly advise against ever giving any statement to an insurance adjuster without speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney.

For those who must provide a statement, consider these tips:

1. Ask that the statement not be recorded.
2. Provide brief answers and avoid volunteering information.
3. Answer only the specific question asked.
4. Never admit fault or state that you are uninjured.
5. If unsure about a question, refuse to answer or state "I don't know.”
6. Avoid discussing injuries or medical prognosis.
7. Don't sign any documents without consulting a lawyer.

By following these guidelines, claimants can better protect their interests when dealing with insurance adjusters.

Misrepresenting Policy Coverage and Legal Rights

Common coverage misrepresentations

Insurance adjusters often take advantage of policyholders' lack of understanding about their coverage. Many people are unaware of what their auto policies actually cover, leading to potential misrepresentations by insurance companies. For instance, adjusters might falsely claim that opening a first-party claim is unnecessary if another party is at fault, potentially causing policyholders to miss out on immediate coverage benefits.

Tactics to confuse about legal rights

Adjusters may employ various strategies to mislead claimants about their legal rights. One tactic involves discouraging individuals from seeking legal representation, suggesting that attorneys will only reduce their settlement due to fees. However, this is often a deceptive ploy, as having an attorney typically leads to higher settlements, even after accounting for legal costs.

Another common tactic is to request extensive medical records, sometimes going back several years, in an attempt to find pre-existing conditions that can be used to dispute current injury claims. Adjusters may also try to elicit admissions of guilt or partial responsibility through carefully crafted questions during conversations.

Importance of understanding your policy

To protect themselves from these tactics, policyholders should familiarize themselves with their insurance policies. Reading through the policy in full can provide more power during negotiations and make it harder for insurers to deny liability. Understanding the claim valuation process is crucial, as it should account for all medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and non-economic damages.

It's important to note that insurance companies have a duty of good faith and fair dealings towards their policyholders. This includes conducting reasonable and timely investigations into claims, communicating promptly with claimants, and avoiding deceptive tactics. Being aware of these obligations can help policyholders identify and challenge potential misrepresentations or unfair practices by insurance adjusters.

Social Media Surveillance: Your Online Activity Under Scrutiny

How adjusters use social media

Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys have embraced social media as a powerful tool in their investigations. A study by the Insurance Information Institute reveals that 78% of insurance adjusters routinely search social media platforms for information that could cast doubt on claims. These professionals scour various platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to gather evidence that might contradict or undermine personal injury claims.

Types of posts that can harm your claim

Seemingly innocent posts can be misinterpreted or taken out of context, potentially damaging a claim. For instance, photos or videos depicting physical activities inconsistent with claimed injuries can be used to argue that injuries are exaggerated. Even a brief comment about an accident or a casual check-in at a location can be misconstrued In fact, Aviva, an insurance company, reported that 36% of insurance claims are denied or reduced due to information found on social media.

Protecting your online presence

To safeguard their claims, individuals should exercise caution when using social media during ongoing cases. It's advisable to adjust privacy settings, limit post visibility, and be mindful of content shared by friends and family. Avoiding discussions about the case, refraining from posting photos or videos, and declining friend requests from strangers are crucial steps. Some experts suggest temporarily deactivating accounts or staying off social media entirely until the claim is resolved. Remember, even with stringent privacy settings, there's no guarantee that social media content will remain inaccessible to opposing parties.

FAQs

What should I inquire about when speaking with a claims adjuster?
We do not recommend speaking with any insurance adjuster until you decide whether or not you want to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you resolve your case. From the first conversation that you have with them, they are doing everything they can to build a case against you. Remember that their job is to pay you the least amount they possibly can. Once you hire an attorney, you do not have to speak with the adjuster ever again regarding your case. They will not be allowed to contact you directly anymore and your attorney will handle all communications with the insurance company and the adjuster for you.

How should I negotiate with a car insurance adjuster?
You should never try to to handle a claim on your own without seeking the help of an attorney who specializes in auto accident litigation.

Do insurance adjusters intentionally offer low settlements?
Yes, it is common for some insurance adjusters to offer low settlements using questionable calculations. Be aware that adjusters often undervalue non-economic damages like pain and suffering since these do not have a predetermined monetary value like economic damages do.

Is it common for insurance companies to offer inadequate settlements?
Insurance companies frequently offer lowball settlements, misleading you to believe that it's the maximum you deserve. Initially, these offers might appear reasonable, but they are typically only a fraction of what your claim is genuinely worth.

Being involved in an auto accident is a traumatizing and stressful event. Hiring an experienced auto accident attorney as soon as possible can take the stress out of having to deal directly with the insurance company and their adjusters. If you have been involved in an accident in Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral or anywhere in Southwest Florida, call Pittman Law Firm, PL today for a free consultation.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship