100+ years of combined experience and over $200 million won for our clients in Missouri and Illinois. Contact a personal injury lawyer near you.
Free Consultation
(314) 500-HURTWhen you have a personal injury claim, be aware of the tricks insurance companies will use to try to avoid paying claims
like yours. While there are some occasions where the defendant’s insurance company will act in good faith and offer a
fair settlement without extensive litigation, it is more common that the insurance company uses tactics to try to trick
you into losing our claim.
The insurance company works hard to avoid paying out people whenever they can avoid it. That is why it’s so important to
have a lawyer on your side who has experience winning personal injury cases like yours and is familiar with the tricks
insurance companies use to avoid paying claims. Burger Law has stood up to countless insurance companies over the years,
going after the compensation our clients are entitled to. Find out how we can help you by
calling us at 314-542-2222.
Insurance agents are rewarded for minimizing the payout the company has to give, or avoiding responsibility for the
damages completely. They have developed a series of tricks and tactics they commonly use to try to trick you into
settling low or losing your claim altogether.
Beware of the following strategies employed by defendants’ insurance companies to trick you into a low settlement or
non-settlement.
When you get into a car accident or have to make an insurance claim, the insurance company will act like they’re looking out for you. But actually, they are a business trying to make money. Here are some secrets insurance companies don’t want you to know about.
Insurance companies train their employees to minimize what they pay out on claims. They will often make a lowball offer first, hoping you’ll just accept it without arguing. Their first settlement amount is usually much less than what you really deserve.
Insurance companies use sneaky tactics to avoid paying full value. They may argue that your injuries aren’t really from the accident. Or they’ll say your car’s value was lower than it really was. Their adjusters might leave out information to confuse you.
They’ll try to acquire signed medical authorizations or recorded statements that work against your claim and pay you less.
You pay premiums every month, but that doesn’t mean the insurance company feels they owe you. To them, you’re just another number. They don’t care that you’ve been a loyal customer paying on time for years.
When you make a claim, the insurance adjuster might seem friendly, like they’re looking out for you. But their job is to protect the company’s profits, not help you get what you’re owed. They know how to negotiate to minimize your offer.
Adjusters get training on how to discourage you from getting a lawyer, and often, they’ll use various adjectives to describe lawyers. But they still have their own lawyers on retainer.
A study by the Insurance Research Council shows that people who hire a lawyer for injury claims often get higher settlements on average versus doing it alone. The insurance company would prefer you don’t realize how much more money lawyers can get you.
Insurance companies will use any reason to minimize your claim’s value. That’s why it’s crucial to have evidence like medical records, witness statements, repair estimates, and photos. The more proof you have, the harder it is for them to lowball you.
Never just trust the insurance company’s numbers for how much your totaled vehicle is worth or what your injuries are valued at. Get quotes from mechanics and calculations from medical experts. Don’t let the insurer’s methodology shortchange you.
Read your policy details carefully so you understand what it covers. Insurance companies hope you don’t realize certain damages or treatments should be included under your coverage.
They may make statements that are clearly untrue just to see your reaction, and determine how much lower they can offer you. For example, they may claim that medical analysis shows that your back pain is related to an old injury, and not the accident.
Don’t just accept the first settlement amount offered by the insurance company’s adjuster. You have the right to negotiate for what your claim is truly worth based on evidence. Push back firmly but politely.
The insurance company is not looking out for your best interests – they care about their profits first. Knowing these secrets gives you power as you hire a car accident lawyer to fight to get a fair settlement after an accident.
When you’ve been hurt in an accident where another party was at fault, you are entitled by law to receive compensation
to help make you whole again. Unfortunately, the insurance companies who are on the hook to pay you this money often use
tricks to try to avoid paying the settlement you deserve for your claim.
If the insurance company is not willing to pay your claim in good faith and are attempting to trick you into settling
low or dropping your claim, you owe it to yourself to hire a capable law firm to defend
against their tricks and tactics. Burger Law has helped people like you survive their cases and get the full
compensation they deserve. Talk to us today; just call 314-542-2222 or reach us here.
Related Article: Lies the Insurance Companies Tell
Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO
Similar FAQs
When is it too late to get a lawyer for a car accident in St. Louis? Many of our clients tell us they never imagined they'd need to hire a car accident lawyer. When a lot of our cl...
When Should I Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident? If you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, it is imperative to reach out to a car accident attorney immedia...
Each workers’ compensation case is unique. In evaluating the worth of a particular instance, you must consider the circumstances of the accident, the type, duration, and severity...
NO FEES UNTIL WE WIN YOUR CASE
We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call. Live chat, text, and virtual meetings are available.
or call us at
(314) 500-HURT