Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Why a Lawyer Helps
Up the creek without a paddle, in a boat without a rudder – whichever nautical idiom is your preference, both describe the feeling of negotiating with insurance companies without the help of a Gainesville insurance claim lawyer. Insurance companies deal with thousands of claims a day and are well-versed in the tips and tricks of the trade. If you’re dealing with a minor personal injury claim, it may make sense for you to negotiate your own settlement with the insurance company. But for larger claims, it helps to have an experienced Gainesville insurance claim lawyer to figure out how much your settlement is really worth and the best way to get full value out of your settlement.
Not In Your Corner
Despite frequent taglines about being there to protect you, an insurance company’s top interest is always its bottom line. When dealing with insurance companies and adjusters, it helps to have a lawyer to fight the insurance company for the settlement you deserve and to make sure adjusters don’t invoke any complicated legal loopholes that result in you getting less of a settlement.
About the Process
If you’ve never filed a personal injury claim with your insurance company, the process goes as follows. First, you file a personal injury claim by filing a claim over the phone or filling out an online form. As soon as the insurance company receives this form, the claims process begins. You may then receive a “reservation of rights” letter from the insurance company that states the company is planning to investigate your claim. This letter has a lot of implications because it essentially states that while the company is investigating your claim, they’re not admitting any liability for your injuries. This is where the negotiation really begins and it helps to have an insurance claim lawyer to navigate the process.
The Demands
Following treatment, you’ll send a demand letter that lays out the facts of the accident, how badly you were hurt, and an itemized list of damages. It’s also important to increase the monetary amount to account for your pain and suffering. This is another place where having an experienced lawyer can help get the maximum value for your settlement. Writing an effective demand letter is something claims attorneys are well-versed in.
The Response and Negotiation
The at-fault insurance company will respond with their initial offer. Chances are it will not reflect the amount you are seeking. Even worse, the insurance company will begin their scare tactics to get you to accept. Having a lawyer at your back will make this much easier to deal with. The insurance company may tell you that this is a “one-time” offer or that the adjuster simply isn’t “authorized” to offer any more. The company is just testing or pressuring you, and it’s very important not to accept this offer. If they know you’re working with a lawyer, the initial offer may even be fair and reasonable. More than likely, you will reject this initial offer and negotiations will begin to fly back and forth. A Gainesville personal injury attorney will take the burden of these negotiations off your shoulders and work to get you the best settlement, all while keeping you in the loop and thoroughly informed as to the details of the negotiation.
Court-Readiness Matters
The most crucial element in hiring an insurance claims lawyer to fight insurance companies is in their litigation record. When an attorney has demonstrated that they are ready and willing to go to court to fight for their client’s settlement, it scares the insurance companies into coughing up a better settlement offer early on in the process. No one wants to go to court, but insurance companies especially do not want to go to court as that’s where they stand to lose the most money.
If you’re in need of a Gainesville insurance claim lawyer to help negotiate with insurance companies, contact Avera & Smith for lawyers that aren’t afraid to go to court and stand for you.