How the Insurance Companies Try to Settle Claims

The insurance companies are in the business of settling claims for the lowest amount possible. Equally important, they are in the business of developing evidence to defeat, or minimize, the value of your specific claim. If you have been in an accident, you need to protect yourself. So while you are engaged in conversations with an apparently cooperative and pleasant claims adjuster, the wheels may be turning in the background to reduce the amount of your claim.

In the actual negotiation process, insurance adjusters are people who negotiate for a living. It is unlikely that most accident victims have the negotiating skills to match a professional negotiator. The adjuster uses this mismatch to his or her advantage. You may be repeatedly confronted with strategies that the adjustor has practiced for years. The result may be a settlement that favors the insurance company by a huge amount.

Insurance companies lose that advantage when dealing with an attorney who has years of experience negotiating personal injury law and medical malpractice claims. A board certified civil trial lawyer can thoroughly investigate the facts of the accident or incident and gather favorable evidence to prove the other party’s fault.

The insurance company will evaluate the medical aspects of your claim closely. Insurance companies may try to question the injuries or damages claimed. It is important to do all that is appropriate to prevent the insurance company from undervaluing your claims. All appropriate categories of losses should be presented for compensation. These may include loss of the ability to earn money, loss of the services and companionship of a spouse, disability, inability to lead and enjoy a normal life, physical pain, and emotional suffering. The careful development and presentation of each relevant category of loss impacts the value of the total claim.

Attorney Tony Caggiano has authored a book for Florida accident and malpractice victims to arm them with valuable information BEFORE they speak with insurance adjusters. If a fair and just settlement is important to you, it is vitally important that you protect yourself with the information in this book. At Ward & Caggiano, P. A., we also have a Doctor/Lawyer available to assist our clients in the evaluation and presentation of medical claims.

You may contact us online or call us at 407-244-1212 (toll free 800-381-8299) to discuss your legal options.