Many insurance companies market themselves as a friend, neighbor or family to prospective insurance seekers. This may seem fitting, until the insured party needs to make a claim.
A person needs the most assistance and care after an accident. Unfortunately, getting that support from an insurer is not likely, for a few reasons.
They will low-ball
Though insurance is a customer-serving business, it is still a business first. Therefore, the main goal is to try to keep costs low. In the case of insurance, claims costs can add up quickly, so insurers will try to settle claims for as little as possible. They use a number of tactics to accomplish this, such as:
- Dragging out the claims process
- Rejecting the first claim without legitimate cause
- Looking for any possible means to deny a claim
For this reason, it is important that claimants do their research. They should not only know what benefits they qualify for under the insurance policy, but also have an estimate of a proper settlement amount due to the accident they face. For example, an accident with an 18-wheeler will likely furnish greater damages, and, therefore, a greater settlement than an accident with another car.
They use their connections
To validate a claim denial or the denial of certain medical treatment, many insurers seek the report of physicians they associate with. These physicians usually do not operate in the best interest of the claimant, and they may even forego certain treatments or examinations that may prove to be important down the line. For this reason, it is vital that claimants seek medical attention immediately after an accident from a physician they know, or at least a non-biased party.
These are a few main reasons not to trust an insurer after an accident. To reach the best possible outcome, it is best to know the policy, follow the claims process correctly and seek help from a knowledgeable source when necessary.
