It can be incredibly frustrating when insurance adjusters don't return your calls after an accident. This is a common issue, and there are a few reasons why it happens. Firstly, insurance adjusters are often overloaded with claims and are working within a system that is designed to slow down the claims process to reduce the number of claims paid out. They may also be purposefully avoiding your calls to decrease the value of your claim. The longer they drag out the process, the more likely you are to accept a lower settlement offer. If you're struggling to get through to an insurance adjuster, you can try calling the car insurance claims department and asking to speak to a supervisor, or reach out to a personal injury lawyer for help.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Reason for not answering | Overwhelmed with claims |
What to do | Call the car insurance claims department and ask to speak to a supervisor |
Alternative action | File a report with your state's insurance commissioner |
Alternative reason for not answering | Purposefully avoiding calls to decrease the value of your claim |
Alternative action | Use your own insurance |
Alternative action | Contact a lawyer |
What You'll Learn
Adjusters are often overloaded with claims
In addition to the sheer volume of cases, adjusters are also responsible for a wide range of tasks, including creating claim files, speaking with everyone involved, inspecting damage, interviewing injured parties, requesting reports from officials, and estimating settlement costs. This multitude of tasks can slow down the entire process, leading to frustration for claimants.
The overload of claims is not just a matter of the number of cases but also the complexity of each case. Adjusters have to investigate the cause of the loss, document damages, and quantify the resulting financial impact. This process can be time-consuming and challenging, especially when dealing with multiple cases simultaneously.
Furthermore, insurance companies may intentionally slow down the claims process to reduce the number of claims that are paid out. This tactic can create more profit for the company but adds to the workload of adjusters.
When adjusters are overloaded with claims, it can lead to delays in communication and prolonged resolution times. Claimants may experience difficulty in getting their calls or queries answered promptly. In some cases, adjusters may even avoid communication as a strategy to decrease the value of a claim.
To address the issue of overloaded adjusters, insurance companies may hire independent adjusters or reassign claims to different adjusters. Claimants can also take certain steps, such as contacting a supervisor or reaching out to a public adjuster, to expedite the process and ensure their claim is handled effectively.
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They are incentivised to deny or devalue your claim
Insurance adjusters are incentivised to deny or devalue your claim because their companies are inherently profit-driven. The less they pay out, the more they get to keep.
Insurance companies are for-profit corporations. Their biggest concern is their bottom line. They would rather pad their own pockets than yours. They care more about their shareholders than you. They are legally required to assess your claim in good faith, but this doesn't mean they have a duty to work towards your best benefit.
Insurance adjusters are trained to look for ways to devalue or deny your claim. One way they do this is by dragging out the claims process. They know that the longer they take, the more pressure you'll feel, and the more pressure you feel, the more likely you are to accept whatever offer they give you – even if it's unfair or much lower than you deserve.
Another reason adjusters delay is that they are not legally bound by a fixed timeline, and they are not technically breaking any law by delaying or rejecting your claim. They get away with their delaying tactics because they know you are desperate. They are fully aware of the desperate situation most claimants are in – with medical bills piling up, car damages to be paid, and financial constraints due to loss of earnings – while you are trying to recover from your injuries.
The longer they drag out your case, the more desperate you become, and the more desperate you become, the more likely you are to accept any settlement offer that finally comes your way. Even if it might be much lower than you deserve for your injuries, damages, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
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They are not legally bound by a fixed timeline
While insurance adjusters are required to be fair and reasonable, they are not legally bound by a fixed timeline. This means that they can take their time in responding to claims, and are not technically breaking any laws by delaying or even rejecting a claim. This can be incredibly frustrating for claimants, who are often already dealing with the stress of an accident or other incident.
In the case of car accidents, insurance companies have about 30 days to investigate a claim, though this can vary depending on the state. Most states require claims to be processed promptly and without unnecessary delays, but it's important to note that there is no set timeline that insurance adjusters are required to follow. This lack of a fixed timeline can result in delays in the claims process, leaving claimants waiting for a response.
The good news is that there are steps claimants can take to speed up the process. Staying in communication with the insurance adjuster and providing any requested information promptly can help move things along. It's also important to keep detailed records of any interactions with the insurance company and to follow up if you haven't heard back in a while. If all else fails, reaching out to a supervisor or even hiring a lawyer can help push things forward.
While insurance adjusters may not be bound by a fixed timeline, they are still expected to handle claims in a timely and reasonable manner. Claimants can play a role in expediting the process by being responsive and providing the necessary information.
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They are trained to sound friendly and approachable
While insurance adjusters may be purposefully evading your calls, they are also often simply overloaded with claims. The system they work within is designed to slow down the process of claims to reduce the number of claims. This means that they are up to their necks with claims and that your adjuster may be struggling to manage their workload.
However, insurance adjusters are also trained to sound friendly and approachable. They do this to encourage you to open up to them and tell them more than you need to. They want you to let your guard down so that you might accidentally say something that hurts your case. A friendly person is easier to talk to than a rude person, and insurance companies know this. They want you to feel at ease so that you might slip up and say something that can be used against you.
This tactic is used to devalue or deny your claim. The less the insurance company pays out, the more profit they make. By drawing out the claims process, they know that you will feel more and more pressure to accept a lower settlement offer. They are aware that you likely need money to pay for car damage and medical bills, and they use this knowledge to their advantage. The longer they take, the more desperate you will become, and the more likely you will be to accept a low offer.
Insurance adjusters are not working for you. They are working for the insurance company, which is a for-profit corporation. Their biggest concern is their bottom line, and they would rather pad their own pockets than yours. They do not have your best interests at heart, and they are trained to use your desperation to their advantage.
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They are not working for you
Insurance adjusters work for insurance companies, not for you. Their biggest concern is their bottom line, and they would rather pad their own pockets than yours. They do not have your best interests at heart and are not working to get to the bottom of an incident or do what is right.
Insurance companies are for-profit corporations, and insurance adjusters are a part of a system designed to cut the insurer's losses. They are not your advocate and are instead an adversary working against your interests. The less they pay out, the more they get to keep as profit. This creates a conflict of interest, as they are incentivised to deny or devalue your claim.
Adjusters are trained to use tactics to devalue or deny your claim. One common tactic is to drag out the claims process. They know that the longer they take, the more pressure you will feel, and the more likely you are to accept a low settlement offer. They are aware of the desperate situation many claimants are in, with medical bills piling up, vehicle damage to be paid, and financial constraints due to lost earnings. By prolonging the process, they can exploit your desperation and vulnerability, knowing that you will be more inclined to accept a lower payout.
Another reason for their lack of response is that they are not legally bound by a fixed timeline. They are not technically breaking any laws by delaying or rejecting your claim, and they are aware that they can get away with these delaying tactics. They do not face any consequences for their inaction, and there is no sense of urgency on their part to resolve your claim promptly.
Therefore, it is crucial to remember that insurance adjusters are not working in your favour. They are motivated by profit and will use various strategies to minimise their payouts. If you are encountering issues with unresponsive insurance adjusters, it may be advisable to consult a personal injury attorney who can skillfully negotiate on your behalf and protect your interests.
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Frequently asked questions
Insurance adjusters are often overloaded with claims and are part of a system that is designed to slow down the process to reduce the number of claims. They may also be avoiding your calls on purpose to decrease the value of your claim.
If you have full coverage insurance, you can use your own insurance and get paid back later when your claim settles. If you don't have full coverage insurance, you can try calling frequently to make them give you priority or request a supervisor to intervene.
You can file a report with your state's insurance commissioner. You can find the steps to file a complaint on your state's insurance website. This will legally enforce the insurance company to respond in a timely manner.