On rare occasions, an insurance adjuster decides to bluff or stall, so that the settlement process seems to drag on for an endless amount of time. The injured victim that must deal with such an adjuster normally gets a warning, following issuance of the company’s initial offer. The stubborn adjuster usually presents a low ball offer at the start of the negotiations.
Suggested ways to respond to that low ball offer
Be persistent in seeking the presentation of a reasonable offer. Communicate with the adjuster on a regular basis, ideally every 7 to 10 days. This demonstrates the adjuster’s failure to force acceptance of his or her unreasonable offer.
Threaten to file a lawsuit, if the offer’s low amount has not been increased by a certain date. Realize, though, that this approach only works if the claim does not have to go to arbitration, before it gets considered in a court of law. Furthermore, try to set a date that corresponds with a time on the calendar when you can devote time to working on a lawsuit.
This is an indirect way to make trouble for the adjuster. Once the insurer hears about the possibility of this particular lawsuit, he or she will ask for the adjuster’s file. The adjuster must relinquish that file, thus giving up his or her ability to control what might happen.
Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Brampton. You may be able to protect your rights under the statute of limitations. The adjuster cannot delay negotiations in an effort to distract you and thus keep you from filing a claim at the appropriate time. Sometimes, too, an injury lawyer can suggest a way to respond by introducing a new legal angle.
Go over the adjuster’s head. Speak with the adjuster’s supervisor or the claims’ supervisor. This can alert the insurance company to the chances that you could pursue one final option. Most insurance companies do not like to answer the charges made by those that pursue such an option.
Threaten to sue the insurance company for bad faith. This lawsuit does not have the same charge as the one mentioned earlier. That lawsuit envisioned the adjuster’s role as that of an obstructionist. This suit targets the entire company. It charges them with not producing the show of good faith, which is expected of all reputable insurance companies.
Insurance companies get formed in the hopes of providing policy holders with a monetary resource, in the event of a tragedy. The insurer should not look to the policy holders as a source of quick cash. Those insurers that do adopt such an approach can get into legal trouble, and can get forced to pay a hefty fine.
