Trusting the insurance company.

December 17, 2008 by Zale.

Insurance adjusters are hired to investigate and resolve claims on behalf of the insurance company.  If the settlement is cheap, then they have done their job.  They are not interested in the claimant’s well being or best interests.

One questionable tactic I’ve been seeing lately is the adjuster telling the claimant that the insurance company won’t consider the claim until after the first year or that the claimant has until the end of the first year to get in all their paperwork.  In Tennessee, the end of the first year means the end of the statute of limitations period.  So, by waiting the year, the claimant is now out of luck, if the claimant didn’t file a lawsuit.  (I wish I could get this statement in writing from the insurance company.  I believe that would constitute bad faith.)

So, I know that the adjuster may be nice and personable, but its for a reason.  Its to try to keep the claimant “under control” and to keep the settlement low.  I’ve never seen a low settlement be in a claimant’s best interest.

I know that there are more and more pro se cases being filed and plenty of self help solutions available.  Is it really worth it to try and handle your case on your own?  The insurance company hired and trained an adjuster to handle your claim.  Don’t you think you ought to hire someone too?

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