The Long Wait: Understanding Delayed Responses From Insurance Adjusters

Dealing with insurance companies can be a stressful process, especially when insurance adjusters seem to be avoiding your calls. While it may be frustrating, there are several reasons why an insurance adjuster might not be getting back to you.

Firstly, insurance adjusters often handle hundreds of cases simultaneously, each with extensive medical records, police reports, pictures, and receipts. As a result, they may be overwhelmed with work and unable to respond promptly.

Secondly, insurance companies are profit-based, and one of their tactics to reduce payouts is to delay or deny claims. By dragging out the claims process, they increase financial pressure on claimants, making them more likely to accept low settlement offers.

Thirdly, insurance adjusters may be purposefully avoiding your calls because they are looking for ways to devalue or deny your claim. The less money they pay out, the higher their profits.

If you're facing this issue, there are several strategies you can employ. You can try the squeaky wheel approach by calling frequently to ensure your name is at the top of the adjuster's list. Alternatively, you can ask for a supervisor to intervene and push your claim forward.

Another option is to use your own insurance, especially if you have full coverage. This can take the pressure off and make you less susceptible to the adjuster's tactics, although it may involve paying deductibles upfront.

Finally, consider contacting a personal injury attorney, especially if your situation is complex or you're unsure how to navigate the insurance system. Attorneys are familiar with insurance company tactics and can help ensure your rights are protected and that you receive a fair settlement.

Remember, it's important to remain polite and professional when dealing with insurance adjusters, even when faced with delays. By understanding the challenges they face and employing effective strategies, you can increase your chances of a timely and satisfactory resolution to your claim.

Adjusters may be purposely avoiding you, using a common tactic to pay less money than they should

Adjusters are employed by insurance companies to evaluate and settle claims. While some adjusters work hard to review all relevant details and arrive at a fair conclusion, others may use unethical tactics to minimise the amount of compensation paid out.

One such tactic is to purposely avoid claimants, either by not answering phone calls or by delaying action on a claim. This can cause claimants to become frustrated and more likely to accept a lowball offer. Adjusters may also request more details, claiming they are unable to process the claim without further information, in an attempt to stall.

It is important to remember that adjusters are not your friends and are not looking out for your best interests. They are professionally trained negotiators whose job it is to offer you as little money as possible. They may seem pleasant and sympathetic, but their loyalty lies with the insurance company that signs their paychecks.

To avoid being taken advantage of, it is recommended that claimants arm themselves with knowledge, a strategic plan, persistence, and, if possible, an experienced lawyer. Knowing the roles and goals of an insurance adjuster can help claimants recognise and counter their tactics. Claimants should also be aware of their rights and what they are entitled to, as adjusters will often not inform them of all their options.

Another tactic used by adjusters is to convince claimants that they do not need a lawyer. This is because the insurance company knows that with a lawyer, claimants may be able to negotiate for a higher payout. Lawyers can also help claimants navigate the complex claims process and ensure their rights are protected.

By understanding how adjusters operate and the tricks they may use, claimants can take back control of their case and work towards securing a fair settlement.

They may be busy, but it's their job to call you back

It's frustrating when people don't call you back, especially when it's their job to do so. However, it's important to remember that claims adjusters are often handling hundreds of cases at a time, so they may be busy. That said, it's also a common tactic for insurance companies to delay or deny claims to reduce payouts. If you've been waiting a while for a response, there are several things you can do:

• Give them at least 24 hours to respond. Many people expect a same-day response and are put off when they don't receive one.
• Leave a detailed voicemail or send an email outlining what you want to discuss and any relevant claim numbers.
• If you've waited several days with no response, try calling the general claims department and ask to speak to a supervisor.
• Contact a lawyer. Insurance companies tend to respond more quickly and fairly when a claimant has legal representation.
• File a lawsuit. This will definitely get the attention of the insurance company, but it should be a last resort.

Remember to stay polite and professional when dealing with claims adjusters. Being rude won't help your case and may even hinder it.

You can hire a personal injury attorney to deal with the adjuster

If you're negotiating a personal injury claim with an insurance company, you'll likely be dealing with a "claims adjuster". Adjusters are employed by insurance companies and want to keep payouts to a minimum while also avoiding personal injury lawsuits, which could be costly and risky. They are not on your side.

Adjusters consider factors such as actual expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering when determining the claim value. They also take into account policy limits and the strength of the plaintiff's case. The larger your personal injury claim, the more likely the adjuster will be nice and friendly. If you are getting negative vibes from the adjuster, it may signal that you need to retain an attorney.

You can handle a simple injury claim on your own and save on legal fees. However, serious cases often benefit from a lawyer's experience and expertise. A lawyer can help you make sure you get the full spectrum of damages you're entitled to, and can maximise your recovery. Insurers and defendants may also take your claim more seriously once you're represented by an attorney.

If you are confident and comfortable enough to negotiate with the insurance agent on your own, you may not need to seek a lawyer's advice. However, if you are unsure about what to do or how to handle a claim, you may consider contacting an attorney immediately after your injury for a consultation to find out if a lawyer is worth the cost.

Call the insurance company and ask for the adjuster's manager

If you haven't heard from an insurance adjuster, it's important to understand the role they play in the claims process. Insurance adjusters are responsible for reviewing and evaluating insurance claims. They work for the insurance company and their main objectives are typically to resolve claims quickly and cheaply. When you file a claim, an adjuster will be assigned to your case and will likely be your main point of contact with the insurance company. They will inspect the damages, review relevant documentation, and estimate the claims payment.

If you haven't heard from an adjuster and need an update on your claim, you can try the following steps:

• Contact the insurance company: If you're having trouble reaching the adjuster, call the insurance company directly. Ask for an update on your claim and explain that you haven't been able to get in touch with the adjuster assigned to your case.
• Request a different adjuster: If you continue to have difficulties reaching the adjuster or are not satisfied with their handling of your claim, you can ask the insurance company to assign a different adjuster to your case.
• Speak to a supervisor: If you have ongoing issues or disagreements with the adjuster's assessment of your claim, you can request to speak to their supervisor or manager. Insurance companies are typically organized hierarchically, with adjusters having the lowest settlement authority and executives having the highest. By going up the chain of command, you may be able to get a more favourable outcome.
• Provide documentation: When communicating with the adjuster or their supervisor, make sure to provide any relevant documentation to support your claim. This can include things like police reports, witness statements, medical records, repair estimates, etc.
• Consider hiring a public adjuster or attorney: If you feel that the insurance company is acting in bad faith or if negotiations are stalled, you may want to consider hiring a public adjuster or an attorney to represent your interests and help you navigate the claims process.

Remember to remain calm and professional when dealing with insurance adjusters and their managers. Document all communications and follow up on any promises or commitments made by the adjuster or the company. Understanding the adjuster's role and the claims process can help you effectively advocate for yourself and increase your chances of a successful outcome.

Contact the adjuster's supervisor if all else fails

If you haven't heard from an insurance adjuster, there are several steps you can take to try and resolve the issue. Firstly, it is important to understand that insurance adjusters handle a large volume of claims and may be overloaded with work, which could be the reason for their lack of response. In such cases, a persistent approach is often required. Try calling or writing to the adjuster frequently to ensure your name stays at the top of their list. Set up appointments or deadlines for responses to your queries, and ask for specific dates by which they will respond to your demands or counteroffers.

If you are still unable to get a response from the adjuster, you can try contacting their supervisor or the insurance company's claims manager. This can be an effective strategy, as supervisors have more discretion to negotiate settlements and may be able to offer a fresh perspective on your claim. They may also have more authority to approve higher settlement amounts than the adjuster. When speaking to a supervisor, it is important to remain calm, professional, and persistent. Explain the issues you have faced in getting a response from the adjuster and provide any relevant documentation or evidence to support your claim.

If you are still unable to get a satisfactory response, you may need to consider other options, such as hiring a public adjuster or an attorney to represent your interests and help settle your claim. You can also try contacting your state's insurance department to file a complaint if the adjuster has failed to make any offer, provided false information, or engaged in unfair settlement practices. Remember that insurance companies have a duty to negotiate and settle claims in good faith, and you can use this term when discussing your concerns with adjusters or their supervisors.

Frequently asked questions