Navigating The Claims Process: Effective Communication With Your Usaa Insurance Adjuster

USAA, or the United Services Automobile Association, is an insurance company that serves over 8 million members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. The company has a reputation for excellent customer service and satisfaction, with policies that offer valuable coverage. However, there have been numerous complaints about the company's claims adjusters, who are responsible for evaluating and settling insurance claims. Common issues include delays in communication and response time, high-stress work environments, and a lack of support from management. It is important for policyholders to be aware of their rights and seek legal assistance if needed to ensure fair settlement offers.

Tricks to limit auto claims payments

USAA adjusters have tricks to limit auto claims payments. When you file a USAA car accident claim, the insurance company assigns a claim number and your file goes to a specific adjuster. The job of these adjusters is to minimize payments by any means necessary. However, the adjusters don’t want you to know this. Instead, they have many tactics to make you believe that they are on your side.

• Delaying the Claims Process: Adjusters may fail to return your calls or respond to your emails and messages. They may also try to confuse you with legal jargon. The purpose of dragging their feet is to get you to settle for less money or give up on the claim altogether.
• Acting Like They Care: The insurance agent or adjuster may call you frequently to “check up on you” and express empathy. However, they are not your friend and are only trying to gain your trust so that you let your guard down. Once they have your trust, they will start asking questions designed to trip you up or get you to say something that they can use against you to reduce your claim.
• Offering a Quick or Simple Settlement: The insurance company may offer you a quick settlement that seems fair. However, this is usually a lowball offer that is far below what your claim is actually worth. If you accept it, you will likely end up getting less money than you deserve.
• Using Your Words Against You: The insurance company may take statements you made out of context or construe them against you. They may twist your words to make it sound like you are admitting partial responsibility for the accident as a way to reduce your claim.
• Discouraging You From Contacting a Lawyer: The insurance company may discourage you from hiring a lawyer by saying things like “This is a simple case” or “We’re here to work with you”. They would rather negotiate with you directly because they believe they can convince you to accept a lower settlement. However, hiring a lawyer can help you get a higher settlement and make sure that the insurance company does not take advantage of you.

It is important to be aware of these tricks and seek legal assistance if you feel that the insurance company is not offering you a fair settlement.

Delays as a tactic

Delays are a common tactic used by insurance adjusters to frustrate claimants and pressure them into accepting a lower settlement. Here are some ways in which adjusters may try to delay the process:

• Asking for more paperwork
• Telling you that a final decision is stalled with supervisors
• Responding that your case is continuously under evaluation
• Asking for medical records that are intrusive and unrelated to the case
• Demanding additional statements from you
• Threatening that further medical treatment won't be covered
• Misstating the law that applies to your case
• Requesting a recorded statement from you
• Asking you to sign a medical release form
• Denying liability
• Disputing your medical treatment
• Misrepresenting the available coverage amount
• Misrepresenting the law
• Using delay tactics to get you to give up
• Telling you that you don't need an attorney
• Delaying by using their voicemail

If you encounter these tactics, it is important to remain persistent and continue contacting your insurance adjuster to request updates on your case. You can also write a formal demand letter stating what you believe is an appropriate settlement, and indicate that you may take legal action if a fair settlement is not reached. Remember, insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payments, so it is crucial to be cautious when dealing with them and consider seeking legal assistance if needed.

Unfair settlement offers

USAA, like other insurance companies, will often try to settle claims for less than they are worth. Here are some things to keep in mind when dealing with unfair settlement offers:

• Don't be rushed: Insurance companies may try to rush you into accepting a settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries and damages. A quick settlement is in their interests, not yours.
• Get everything in writing: If an adjuster denies your claim or makes an unreasonably low offer, get it in writing. This will be useful if you need to escalate your claim or file a complaint.
• Talk to a supervisor: If you can't get anywhere with the adjuster, ask to speak to their supervisor. They may have more experience and more discretion to negotiate a settlement.
• Mention the possibility of a complaint: Insurance companies don't like having complaints on file, so the mere mention of your intent to file a complaint might bring about a new settlement offer.
• Consult a lawyer: A personal injury lawyer can help you understand how much your claim is worth and negotiate with the adjuster on your behalf. They can also help you draft a demand letter, which will strengthen your case for a higher settlement.
• Counter with a reasonable offer: When making a counteroffer, keep it reasonable and be prepared to justify it with proof of your damages.
• Don't jump at the first offer: The first offer is usually a negotiating tactic to see if you know what your claim is worth. Ask the adjuster to justify a low offer, and respond with a letter addressing their points.
• Emphasise emotional points: In negotiations, emphasise the strongest points in your favour, such as the severity of your injury, your pain and suffering, and any long-term effects.

Lowballing their own policyholders

USAA is a major player in the car insurance market, insuring nearly 13 million people in the United States. It is not a non-profit business and its primary goal is to make a profit. USAA adjusters are there to mitigate losses for their employer, not to make you whole again.

USAA has a history of lowballing its own policyholders on uninsured motorists and PIP claims. If you are a USAA insurance policyholder who needs to file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim, or turn in a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim for your medical bills, USAA will often dispute these claims. Their patriotism ends with their profit margins.

USAA, like other insurance companies, will use a computer program to evaluate auto claims and make settlement offers. These programs are designed to offer extremely low settlement offers on legitimate car accident claims.

USAA adjusters have many tactics to make you believe that they are on your side, working for you. They will tell you that you don’t need to call a lawyer and that you can trust them. They will also try to get you to make a recorded statement, which you are not obligated to provide. They will use this statement against you to justify lowering or denying your claim.

USAA will also delay your claim by requesting documents from you, and then requesting more documents or even the same documents again. This delays the claim and increases your stress as you watch your medical bills pile up.

If you are dealing with a USAA auto claim, it is important to remain skeptical of settlement offers and negotiations. You may need to hire an experienced attorney to represent you and maximize your settlement.

Fighting for a higher offer

If you've been in an accident with a driver insured by USAA, you may be entitled to more compensation than their initial settlement offer. Here's what to know about fighting for a higher offer from a USAA insurance adjuster:

Know Their Tactics

USAA insurance adjusters are known to employ various tactics to minimise the amount they pay out on claims. They may try to gain your trust by advising you not to hire a lawyer and telling you they are on your side. They may also ask you to make a recorded statement, which they can then use against you to justify lowering or denying your claim. For example, if you mention that you looked down at your GPS before the crash, they may claim that you were distracted and partially to blame.

Get a Lawyer

The best way to deal with a USAA claims adjuster is to hire a skilled car accident attorney to communicate and negotiate with them on your behalf. Studies show that injury victims recover 3.5 times as much money when they have legal representation. Your lawyer will know your rights and protect your interests, ensuring that the adjuster doesn't trick you into accepting a lowball offer.

Provide Evidence

If USAA is challenging liability for the crash, you and your lawyer can present evidence that the policyholder was at fault and that you weren't negligent. If the adjuster questions the severity or cause of your injuries, your lawyer can provide documents from your medical providers and other experts to support your claim.

Be Prepared to Negotiate

USAA may raise their initial offer slightly, but they will likely continue to lowball you. This is where having a skilled lawyer can really make a difference. They can help you negotiate a higher offer by providing evidence and arguing on your behalf.

Consider Filing a Lawsuit

If USAA refuses to offer a fair settlement, you may need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. This can be a powerful negotiation tactic, as USAA knows that going to court will likely cost them more than settling the claim. In many cases, filing a lawsuit will lead to a higher settlement offer from USAA.

Frequently asked questions