Injuries and damage to personal effects can happen at any time, whether in a car accident, weather damage to a property, or even a simple slip and fall. Many people rely on insurance to cover the damages and help them maintain financial security as they recover, which can be an enormous relief when recovering from an injury. However, filing a claim and seeking compensation may not be as straightforward as it seems.
Insurance adjusters are often skilled and practiced at their jobs, and are tasked with protecting the insurance company’s interests. While this helps prevent fraud, it may also deprive other individuals of the compensation they are owed. Negotiating with insurance adjusters can help reach an equitable solution, but many individuals feel unprepared to handle a situation like this.
A dedicated Missouri personal injury attorney from Steelman Gaunt Crowley may be able to help secure a better settlement by clarifying the process and offering counsel. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the office at (573) 341-8336.
What Exactly Do Insurance Adjusters Do?
Insurance adjusters are trained individuals hired to investigate the claims made to an insurance company and evaluate how much the claimant is owed. This generally involves conducting research and investigating the facts, which helps the insurance adjuster understand the damages suffered by the claimant. Once the insurance adjuster understands the damages, they can calculate a settlement offer and present it to the claimant for them to accept or negotiate.
There are also two types of insurance adjusters, claims adjusters and public adjusters. Claims adjusters are hired by an insurance company to investigate on behalf of the company and protect their interests. Public adjusters, according to the Missouri Revisor of Statutes Section 325.010, are hired by the claimant to investigate the claim and are outside the employ of an insurance company or broker.
Negotiating a Claim With an Insurance Adjuster
When an insurance adjuster offers a settlement that the claimant believes is inequitable or inadequate to the suffering they endured, they may be able to negotiate for a more beneficial settlement. According to the Missouri Department of Labor, insurance policyholders may have the right to negotiate a better settlement depending on the type of policy held and the circumstances of the injury.
Understanding the law, the damages the claimant has incurred, and the detailed terms of the insurance policy are all key factors in negotiating a settlement. This will often require creating a case with factual evidence and concrete proof and presenting this case to the insurance adjuster to show why a different settlement is warranted. As insurance adjusters are tasked with protecting the interests of the insurance company, they will often resort to the lowest offer the claimant is willing to accept. As such, understanding the actual worth of a claim is vital to receiving proper compensation.
A skilled personal injury attorney from Steelman Gaunt Crowley can help clarify the process and may be able to negotiate for a settlement that ensures your legal and financial rights are protected after an accident.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Negotiate an Insurance Settlement?
Negotiating with insurance adjusters can be incredibly difficult, especially when the individual is unprepared to do so. Most insurance adjusters are well prepared with much experience negotiating settlements and are generally very familiar with the various policies offered by their company. However, a skilled personal injury attorney has also studied the laws surrounding insurance policies, and will generally be well-equipped to negotiate in situations such as workers’ compensation or others.
Compiling Supporting Evidence
A personal injury attorney can help in negotiating with insurance adjusters by collecting evidence and building a case. The physical evidence, witness testimonies, and accurate documentation of the costs incurred by the claimant are often key factors in determining the value of the settlement.
By building a compelling case, a personal injury attorney can show the true value of the settlement and may be able to reach a better deal. Understanding the laws and requirements of the insurance company is one of the keys to negotiating with insurance adjusters.
Calculating a Settlement Amount
Having clear documentation of the facts, however, generally is not enough to change the opinion of an insurance claims adjuster. One must also be able to present a counteroffer that is legally compliant, fair, and accurate to the damages incurred. Understanding what offer to make and how to calculate a settlement amount is one of the key benefits of having an attorney assist in negotiating with insurance adjusters.
Navigating Fine Print
In addition to these factors, insurance policies often have complex fine print that can be difficult to navigate for some people. Insurance companies have had decades to perfect systems and fine print that will protect their interests in the market, and those are often difficult to break down without much proper study and experience.
An attorney may be able to help parse the difficult language of insurance policy contracts and take the burden of research off the claimant. Having accurate counsel who is familiar with complex legal documents may help avoid confusion and could lead to proper compensation.
Coaching and Counsel
Attorneys can also provide counsel and coaching on how to interact with insurance adjusters which may help to avoid jeopardizing a claim with inaccurate information. Attorneys may also be able to evaluate a settlement offer to determine whether or not it is fair and legal, providing the claimant with peace of mind moving forward.
Can I Negotiate a Settlement Without an Attorney?
While an individual may be empowered to negotiate a settlement for themselves, it may be advisable to seek legal counsel for high-value claims. The skills of an attorney may be valuable in protecting the claimant’s right to compensation. While a person has every right to represent themselves after an accident, it is important to remember that insurance companies have teams of attorneys on their side protecting their interests. An experienced personal injury attorney can ensure that your legal and financial rights remain protected, and that you understand all of your options under the law.
Contact an Experienced Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Today To Learn All of Your Legal Options
Negotiating with insurance adjusters can be a difficult challenge, especially when dealing with the consequences of an injury or the repairs of personal property. Negotiations may involve time-consuming documentation of evidence to build a case, a deep understanding of the legal code and policy terms, as well as long conversations and negotiations with insurance adjusters. A committed personal injury attorney from Steelman Gaunt Crowley can help work through this difficult process and may be able to secure more equitable compensation for the claimant. For more information on insurance claims adjusters and all of your legal options, consider scheduling a consultation by calling our legal team today at (573) 341-8336.
