Insurance carriers do not always have your best interest in mind. It is important to remember this when dealing with insurance companies. Don’t view your insurance company as that nice man or lady at the insurance office who takes your premium check each month. Your insurance company is a corporation that is concerned primarily with profit, and the corporation increases its profits by denying, delaying or underpaying claims. Not all insurance carriers are like this, but unfortunately, some are. These disreputable insurance companies are said to be acting in “bad faith.” Below you will find some of the tactics “bad faith” insurers use against those filing a personal injury claim in Kansas.
No One is Home
This is one of the oldest stalling tactics. In fact, it is one with which many people are familiar. Have you ever told a family member to tell a caller you aren’t home in order to avoid speaking with him? Insurance carriers do the same thing, but when insurance companies engage in this behavior, the consequences are much worse than simply being rude. By refusing to take your call, insurance companies increase the chances that you will miss a filing deadline or make a mistake that will allow the company to deny your claim.
Changing the Point of Contact
One technique that insurance companies use to delay the personal injury claims process is to switch adjusters. At the beginning of the claims process, an adjuster is assigned to each claim. It is the adjuster’s job to deal with the claimant, collect all relevant information, and evaluate the claim. When an insurance company decides to switch adjusters in the middle of the claims process, it a very effective way of delaying the process or starting it over entirely.
Asking For Information One at Time
Insurance companies use this tactic when they want to appear busy and conscientious while slowing the claims process to a crawl. Your adjuster will need a massive amount of paperwork and documentation to process your Kansas personal injury claim. Unscrupulous insurance companies will ask for documentation and paperwork one piece at a time. This way they can wear you down by dragging the claims process out, and if you forget or lose a document, your claim may be denied outright.
Dealing with insurance companies is that drag their feet can be frustrating. They want it to be. They want you to give in easily when they offer a settlement that is below what you deserve. Having an experienced Kansas City personal injury lawyer on your side can make the process much smoother. Insurance companies are less likely to attempt these dirty tricks if there is an attorney involved. If you feel that you are not being treated fairly by your insurance company or want help in filing your personal injury claim, please contact us through the form found on this site. We would love to help you get what you are entitled to.