After you have submitted a claim, you can expect a call from the insurance adjuster. Adjusters are assigned the task of investigating a specific claim.
What you could surmise, regarding the adjuster’s level of authority
If you had a small claim, the adjuster that contacted you might be independent of the insurance agency. Did you see the adjuster’s email address? Was it different from the email address for the insurance company? Is so, then that would be evidence of the adjuster’s independence, and limited authority.
If you had a complex case, then your adjuster would probably have a substantial amount of experience. An adjuster’s experience indicates his or her ability to present an authoritative-sounding argument. Be sure that you do not assume that every statement in that same argument is correct.
Understand that all adjusters have an authority limit. That limit is the maximum amount of money that the adjuster is allowed to offer you. If the insurer were to find that your case was more complex than expected, then you might get a new adjuster, someone with a different limit.
Aspects of an adjuster-directed investigation
• Information obtained should confirm extent of policy’s coverage
• Information should reveal all the facts relating to the accident
• Claim must be evaluated
• A selected amount of money must be set aside, for use at time of possible settlement
• Adjusters’ goal: Try to close case by paying the least amount of money possible.
Adjusters’ goal reflects their control of a pot of money and that is the cash that could be given to the claimant, as per Personal Injury Lawyer in Huntsville. Adjusters try to find out if a contacted claimant knows what he or she is doing. Still, any claimant knows more about the investigated claim than the investigator (adjuster). That is due to the volume of work that is assigned by the insurer.
Actions that are known to win adjusters’ respect
Being well organized
Documenting all calls; recording the time and date; taking notes
Avoiding any tendency to become emotional. That forces the listener to spend valuable time listening to your emotional statement. Stick to the facts.
Allowing the adjuster to inspect your car. Some claimants have failed to provide the insurance company with accurate facts. An inspection of the damaged vehicle has the ability to disclose an instance of such fraud. It could support your claim, if someone has sought to hold you responsible for the accident.
If you appear reluctant to allow an inspection of your car, it could look like you are trying to hide something. If you had taken pictures, then that inspection could prove quite helpful. It might make your pictures all the more valuable. It could underline the extent of whatever damage had been photographed.