House Insurance Adjusters: Understanding Your Rights When They Don't Call Back

If your house insurance adjuster is not calling you back, you are not alone. This is a common issue that many people face. There are several reasons why an insurance adjuster may not be returning your calls. One reason could be that they are deliberately slowing down the claim process to reduce the amount of compensation they have to pay out. Another reason could be that they are overworked and too busy to respond to every call. If you are having trouble getting a hold of your insurance adjuster, there are a few things you can do. You can try calling and leaving voicemails, sending emails or faxes, or even contacting their manager. If those options don't work, you may want to consider hiring a personal injury attorney or filing a lawsuit to get the insurance company's attention.

Contact a lawyer

If your house insurance adjuster is not calling you back, one of the best steps you can take is to contact a lawyer. A lawyer can help you manage your claim and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

• Understanding your compensation: A lawyer can help you understand how much compensation you deserve and what the claims process should look like. They can review the insurance policy of the liable party and discuss your options.
• Expediting the process: Lawyers can put pressure on the insurance company and increase the likelihood of your claim being addressed promptly. They can also help move the claim process forward more smoothly and efficiently.
• Evening the playing field: Insurance adjusters are trained to pay out as little as possible. Having a lawyer on your side can help balance the situation and ensure your interests are represented.
• Experience dealing with adjusters: Lawyers routinely deal with insurance adjusters and understand how the system works. They can use this knowledge to navigate your claim effectively and protect you from unfair practices.
• No upfront cost: Personal injury lawyers typically don't charge any money upfront and work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid a percentage of the money they win for you.
• Handling everything for you: When you hire a lawyer, they will handle all the paperwork, evidence gathering, and negotiations. Their job is to fight for your rights and represent your interests, so you can focus on your recovery.
• Free consultation: Most law firms offer free consultations, so you can discuss your case with a lawyer and understand your options before deciding to hire them.

If you're dealing with an unresponsive house insurance adjuster, don't hesitate to reach out to a lawyer. They can provide you with the guidance, support, and representation you need to navigate this challenging situation effectively.

Use your own insurance

If you're struggling to get an insurance adjuster to call you back, one option is to use your own insurance. While this might not be ideal, especially if you weren't at fault, it can take the pressure off you and make you immune to the adjuster's tactics.

Contact Your Insurer

Explain what happened and ask them to send you a claim form. They may be able to email this to speed things up. It's important to do this as soon as possible, and most insurers require you to contact them within 24 hours of the incident. When filling out the form, be as detailed as possible about what happened and the damage to your property. Keep a copy of the completed form for yourself.

Check the Following Before Sending Off Your Claim:

• You're within the time limits for making a claim.
• You're covered for what you're claiming for.
• How much the excess is. The excess is the amount your insurer will take off the claim, so it may not be worth claiming if the amount is less than this.
• The small print. Make sure there's nothing in the terms and conditions that prevents you from claiming.
• Whether it's a new-for-old policy. If it isn't, the amount you get will be less than the cost of replacing items as the insurer takes money off for wear and tear.

Include Copies of Relevant Paperwork

Include copies of all paperwork that will help your claim, such as receipts or medical certificates. Keep copies of the originals in case your claim is queried or refused.

Use a Loss Assessor for Large Claims

If you're making a large claim, consider using a loss assessor. They can help you prepare the claim and arrange for items to be valued.

Be Honest About Your Loss

When providing an account to your insurance adjuster, always be honest. Making false statements will negatively affect your claim and could result in a lawsuit for insurance fraud.

Understand Your Policy's Exclusions

Know what your policy covers. For example, a typical homeowner's policy doesn't protect against water damage that a flood causes. So, be careful about the language you use when describing the incident.

Avoid Suggesting You're to Blame

While it's important to be honest, avoid statements that suggest you're to blame for the damage. Since your policy doesn't compensate for losses caused by your negligence, the adjuster will listen for statements that suggest you caused the damage.

Keep a Log of Any Meetings with the Adjuster

Document your interactions with the adjuster in a journal or spreadsheet. Log the date and time of conversations, along with a brief explanation of what was said. If possible, get copies of any reports or statements made by the adjuster.

Submit Required Information Within the Time Limit

After the adjuster's visit, you'll need to submit relevant information within a time limit defined by your policy. This may include a statement describing the loss, an inventory of lost or damaged property, specifications for damaged structures, and receipts for additional living expenses if you can't live in your home.

Using your own insurance can be a helpful option when dealing with an unresponsive adjuster. It allows you to take control of the process and ensure that your claim is handled in a timely manner.

Call the insurance adjuster's manager

If your insurance adjuster is not responding to your calls, you can try calling their manager. This is often very effective when trying to work with insurance companies. If your claims adjuster is not responding to you, call the insurance company's customer service phone number and ask for the name and number of your insurance adjuster's manager.

Call the manager and explain what has been going on. You may be surprised at how quickly the insurance adjuster responds after this.

If you are still having trouble getting the adjuster for the at-fault driver to return your calls, another strategy is to call frequently to put your name at the head of the list for the adjuster to return your call. Many insurance adjusters have more cases than they can handle, so this approach is usually effective.

Document all correspondence

When dealing with an unresponsive insurance adjuster, it is important to document all your correspondence with the insurance company. Leaving voicemails is acceptable, but they may not be very effective on their own. Instead, send an email or fax after leaving a voicemail to reinforce your message. Include details such as the number of times you have tried to reach them, the issues that need addressing, and any other relevant information. This approach is more likely to get the attention of the insurance adjuster and prompt a response.

Keeping a detailed record of your interactions with the insurance adjuster is crucial. Maintain a journal or spreadsheet to log the dates and times of your conversations, along with a summary of what was discussed. If possible, obtain paper or electronic copies of any reports or statements made by the adjuster. This will help you stay organised and ensure you have a record of all relevant information.

Additionally, consider sending a letter via certified mail to the insurance company. This provides you with proof of receipt, ensuring that your correspondence has been received and cannot be ignored. By documenting all your efforts to contact the insurance adjuster, you establish a paper trail that can be referenced if needed.

It is important to remain persistent and continue following up with the insurance company until you receive a response. While it may be frustrating, remember that insurance adjusters often handle a large number of cases and may be dealing with competing priorities. However, if you have been diligently trying to reach them without success, it may be time to consider other options, such as seeking legal assistance or filing a complaint with the appropriate authorities.

File a lawsuit

If your insurance adjuster is not calling you back, filing a lawsuit can be an effective way to get a response from the insurance company. Here are some steps and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing legal action:

• Consult an Attorney: Before taking any legal action, it is highly recommended that you consult a qualified personal injury attorney, especially one with experience in dealing with insurance companies. They can advise you on your specific situation and determine if filing a lawsuit is the best course of action.
• Document Correspondence: Keep a detailed record of all your interactions with the insurance company, including emails, phone calls, and voicemails. This documentation will be crucial if you decide to pursue legal action.
• Understand Your Policy: Review your insurance policy thoroughly to understand your coverage, exclusions, and any relevant timelines or requirements for filing claims. This knowledge will help you identify if the insurance company is acting in bad faith.
• Send a Demand Letter: In some jurisdictions, you may be required to demand payment before filing a lawsuit. Send a detailed letter to the insurance company outlining your claim and the compensation you are seeking.
• File the Lawsuit: If the insurance company continues to be unresponsive or denies your claim, you can proceed with filing a lawsuit. This typically involves submitting the necessary legal documents and paying the associated fees.
• Participate in Mediation: In many cases, insurance companies will attempt to resolve the dispute through mediation or settlement negotiations. This can be a faster and less costly alternative to going to trial.
• Gather Evidence: Collect and organise any evidence that supports your claim, such as police reports, medical records, photographs, witness statements, and financial documents. This evidence will be crucial in proving your case.
• Be Prepared for a Deposition: If your case proceeds to trial, you will likely be required to participate in a deposition, where you will answer questions under oath. Your attorney will guide you through this process and protect you from unfair questioning.
• Understand the Time and Cost Involved: Legal proceedings can be lengthy and costly. Be prepared for a potentially lengthy process and consider the financial implications, including court costs, attorney fees, and any other related expenses.
• Know What You Can Recover: Depending on the specifics of your case and the laws in your state, you may be able to recover economic losses, attorney fees, non-economic losses, and punitive damages. Consult with your attorney to understand the types and amounts of compensation you may be entitled to.

Frequently asked questions