Common Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Undermine Your Claim
Filing an insurance claim after an accident or injury can be daunting. While you may expect the insurance company to support you during these challenging times, the reality can be quite different. Many insurance companies employ strategies to minimize or deny claims, ultimately protecting their bottom line at the expense of the claimant’s rightful compensation. At The Hadi Law Firm, we understand these tactics and have a proven track record of effectively countering them to ensure our clients receive the justice they deserve.
Tactic #1: Offering a Lowball Settlement
One of the most common strategies insurance companies use is presenting a quick, lowball settlement offer. This tactic is designed to capitalize on a claimant’s desire to resolve the matter quickly, especially if they are facing financial pressure due to medical bills or lost income. The initial offer is typically far below the actual value of the claim, and many victims—unaware of their case’s full value—may be tempted to accept it.
How The Hadi Law Firm Counters This Tactic: Our experienced personal injury attorneys know how to assess the true value of a claim, factoring in not only immediate costs but also future medical expenses, lost earning potential, pain and suffering, and other damages. We negotiate assertively on our clients’ behalf to ensure they receive fair compensation that accurately reflects their losses.
Tactic #2: Delaying the Claims Process
Another tactic insurers use is delaying the claims process. By stalling, they hope to frustrate claimants and pressure them into accepting a lower settlement or dropping the claim altogether. They might request redundant documentation, continuously transfer the case to different adjusters, or simply take an excessive amount of time to respond.
How The Hadi Law Firm Counters This Tactic: We hold insurance companies accountable for timely responses and push them to act within reasonable timeframes. If an insurer continues to delay without cause, we are prepared to take legal action to expedite the process and ensure our clients aren’t left waiting indefinitely for a resolution.
Tactic #3: Disputing the Severity of Injuries
Insurance adjusters may downplay the severity of injuries to justify a lower settlement amount. They may argue that the injuries were pre-existing, not as severe as reported, or even unrelated to the accident. They often use medical records selectively or hire their own medical experts to dispute the claimant’s health condition.
How The Hadi Law Firm Counters This Tactic: We work closely with medical professionals to establish the full extent of our clients’ injuries and how they impact their lives. Our legal team gathers comprehensive medical evidence, including independent expert testimonies if needed, to build a solid case that accurately reflects the severity of injuries and their long-term effects.
Tactic #4: Misinterpreting or Misrepresenting Policy Language
Insurance policies are often filled with complex and confusing language. Insurers may attempt to misinterpret or misrepresent policy terms to deny claims or reduce payouts. For example, they might incorrectly assert that certain damages are excluded or that the policy limits compensation for specific injuries.
How The Hadi Law Firm Counters This Tactic: We have extensive experience in interpreting insurance policies and understanding the fine print. Our attorneys analyze every detail of the policy and use our knowledge of Texas insurance law to challenge unfair interpretations and ensure our clients receive the coverage they are entitled to.
Tactic #5: Shifting Blame or Disputing Liability
Insurance companies frequently try to shift blame or dispute liability to reduce their financial responsibility. They may argue that the claimant was partially or entirely at fault for the accident, which, under Texas’ modified comparative negligence laws, could significantly reduce or eliminate the compensation the claimant is eligible to receive.
How The Hadi Law Firm Counters This Tactic: We thoroughly investigate each case to establish clear evidence of liability. Our team gathers accident reports, eyewitness statements, and other relevant documentation to build a compelling case that demonstrates our clients’ right to compensation. We are prepared to challenge any attempts by insurers to unfairly attribute fault.
Tactic #6: Using Recorded Statements Against You
Insurers often request recorded statements from claimants early in the process, under the guise of gathering information. However, these statements are frequently used to trap claimants into making statements that can be misconstrued or taken out of context to undermine their claims.
How The Hadi Law Firm Counters This Tactic: We advise our clients never to provide recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal representation present. Our attorneys handle all communications with the insurance company to prevent them from using any information against our clients.
Protecting Your Rights and Interests
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to protect their interests—shouldn’t you have a dedicated team protecting yours? At The Hadi Law Firm, we understand the tactics insurers use to devalue claims and deny rightful compensation. We leverage our legal expertise, deep understanding of insurance practices, and aggressive negotiation skills to fight back and secure the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Don’t Let the Insurance Company Dictate Your Outcome
If you’ve experienced any of these tactics or if your claim has been denied or undervalued, contact The Hadi Law Firm today at 832-433-7977 to schedule a free consultation. Let us put our experience to work for you and turn the tables on the insurance companies. With us by your side, you can trust that your claim will be handled with the care, attention, and legal expertise it deserves.