An accident insurance settlement is very rarely precisely what an injured party hopes to receive. Many times, an adjuster has reduced the amount believed necessary to repair damage, and the insurance company thereafter reduces the offered amount even further. While it is difficult to obtain an offer for the exact amount requested, it is possible to receive a reasonable settlement. The tips below will assist you in obtaining a satisfactory settlement amount.
Be Reasonable Yourself
The key to being offered a reasonable settlement is be reasonable in the amount your claim is actually worth. Extremely large settlements are often talked about but rarely awarded. Most settlement amounts are in the thousands of dollars. Being reasonable about the true value of your claim means that you are more likely to be satisfied with the amount of settlement you actually receive. Do not expect or request million dollar settlement, but instead seek an amount tied to your actual expenses and damage.
Being reasonable extends to your attitude during the process. Do not become agitated or angry at the insurance company as this will make its representatives less willing to work with you. If you feel that you are not being treated fairly, hire legal representation.
Be Specific
Ask for what you are entitled to receive and show why you are entitled to that amount. Attach receipts and write out calculations that show how you derived the amount of your request. This will demonstrate to the insurance company that you are not merely seeking money to be petty, but rather because are entitled to reimbursement either according to the insurance contract or because you were not at fault in the accident, meaning that the other party is responsible for repaying you.
Maintain Contacts
Insurance companies are large and employ many claims adjusters and customer care representatives. To prevent your claim from being lost in the shuffle or being managed by several different parties, make sure to always contact the same person. Write down the names and phone numbers of the employees handling your claim and only speak to those individuals. This will reduce the amount of time you spend explaining your claim, which may cause it to be processed faster.
Hire Legal Representation
Although you may think you do not have a complicated claim, or believe that your claim could be significantly reduced or even denied, these possibilities do happen. Therefore, if you have been injured and are seeking a settlement, it is in your best interest to hire an attorney. An attorney will assist you in calculating and requesting a reasonable sum of money and, quite possibly, make you receive your settlement faster.
