If you’ve been in an accident and gotten hurt, when you file your claim you will at some point have to deal with an insurance adjuster. These people are often obstacles to getting the compensation you deserve, and they can be your worst enemy when all you want is to be paid for your medical costs, lost wages and the damage you’ve suffered.
Unfortunately, these adjusters can for various reasons be stubborn, and with a little bit of education, you can understand why, which will allow you to more effectively proceed. Discover the answer to what is an insurance adjuster, what they do, how they try to avoid big payouts and why you need a personal injury attorney’s help.
What Is an Insurance Adjuster
If you’ve ever asked the question “what is an insurance adjuster?” you’re not alone. These professionals are also called claims adjusters, insurance claims specialists, claims analysts or claims representatives. In the end, however, they all have the same job: to settle your claim as quickly and for as low dollar value as possible.
They are given the responsibility of evaluating your claim, determining its value, and offering you payment. While they have the ability to negotiate with you over that claim, they may have limits that are somewhat beyond their control.
Understanding the Claims Adjuster
The first thing to understand is that the job of a claims adjuster is entirely predicated on how many claims they settle, and how fast. They may have over 100 claims on their desk, and their job security is predicated on their ability to clear them. Independent adjusters and/or those who are inexperienced will have less room to negotiate, so they may be harder to get past, or they may have to get approval from higher-ups. This limit could be as low as $5,000, or as high as $20,000. For in-house claims adjusters, it could be much more.
It’s important to remember this when you enter negotiations. It’s also important to remember that you know more about your case than they do. They know exactly what’s in the dossier on their desk. They weren’t there. They didn’t experience the accident and they’re not facing the mounting bills and recovery that you face. That gives you an edge in negotiations.
Pursuing Negotiations
It’s also important to remember that insurance companies are businesses. They’re in it to make a profit. They don’t make money by paying out huge sums. That’s why they might go to great lengths to get you to sign off on a lowball offer, from bullying to even claiming you’re at fault. When the time comes to pursue negotiations with a claims adjuster, your best bet is with the help of an experienced and qualified personal injury attorney.
The right attorney knows how to sift through the process of negotiations, get at the heart of what you deserve, and make sure your rights are protected. They know what the adjuster is capable of, and know how to escalate negotiations when necessary. If you’re in the Odessa, TX, area and you’ve been hurt by someone else’s negligence, contact Braker White for a free consultation today.
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