Did an insurance company say it would not pay for your injury, car, house, or whatever? Don’t get mad. Get fighting.
My experience has been that most serious insurance claims are turned down or lowballed. Why? The insurance company doesn’t want to pay out the money.
Insurance ads all feature friendly people as long as you are forking over the cash. But here is a big surprise … if you need them to pay, you are not dealing with Flo, Jake, or The General. You are dealing with an insurance adjuster trained to give you the minimum amount possible – if anything.
So here is my solid legal opinion. Do not take “no” as the answer and get a lawyer. Studies have shown injured people get more money using a lawyer even after legal fees.
Here are some everyday things the insurance company will throw at you, and without a lawyer, you are going to have to deal with them alone:
You waited too long.
The insurance company will say you are past the time limitations either in the policy or by law. I say it depends on when the clock starts.
You didn’t pay the bill on time.
They will look for a lapse in the coverage. Guess what? Whatever happened, they will say it happened during that time.
The damage is uncovered.
Whatever caused the damage is some other company’s problem. You say the claim is against their homeowners’ policy; they say it should be your non-them car coverage. I have also heard them say it is the government’s fault, so you must sue the government.
You are committing fraud.
Seriously, I know of insurance adjusters who accuse policy owners of a crime just for filing a claim.
Damage exceeds the deductible.
This make-believe problem is the best. Whatever the damage, the insurance company says it costs less than whatever your deductible is.
You need someone in your corner who knows how to work the system for you. Dare I say — like a good neighbor, your lawyer is there?
If you are hurt in a traffic accident or suffer any other personal injury, you can talk to us at the Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie (251) 666-1212 for free. We want to help you get back on your feet.
Also, join us for NBC 15 LawCall, our legal call-in TV show, here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30, right after the news. We will take your calls live.
Allen Ritchie