How to Settle an Insurance Claim Without a Lawyer

Having spent years as a claim adjuster, I can tell you from personal experience the words "I'm getting a lawyer..." was music to my ears. When a claimant threatened to get a lawyer rather then deal with me (the claims adjuster) themselves I knew it meant the claim would go a lot smoother. Instead of a claimant calling me 40 times a day requesting an update on their claim, I would now get a lawyer who would probably not contact me for months. A lawyer meant my job would be a lot easier. But a lawyer means that you could lose 40% of your settlement. So rather then give up a lion share of your settlement, here are the steps you need to take settle your physical damage and bodily injury claims yourself.

Instructions

1. Know the Law

   The claims adjuster is pretty familiar with the law and who, based on the law, will be faulted for the accident. They have no stake in denying your claim if by law their insured was at fault. Claims adjusters never receive bonuses or kudos for high denial rates (health insurance adjusters have different standards), so denying a legitimate claim can result in high fines for the insurance company. If you feel as though the insured is at fault for your injury then you have the right to make a claim. But once you are denied, it is very unlikely that the decision will change even if you get a lawyer involved. If you feel that an insurance company has denied you without merit then file a claim with the your state's insurance department.

2. Get Your Facts Together

   In order to justify your claim you need all the facts together. Get the police report and any witness contact information if you have it. Once you have given the necessary information then you can step back and allow the claim to be handled.

3. If You Sustain Bodily Injury

   If you are not at fault, then in most cases you have a right to get your medical bills paid plus pain and suffering. This is usually where most people get uncomfortable and assume they need a lawyer. All a lawyer does is send in a letter stating that you are represented and not to contact you directly. Then months later, when you have stopped treating for your injury, they collect your medical bills together and send in a demand letter based on the amount of physical damage to your, for example, vehicle plus the amount of medical bills. Whatever the claim is worth, a lawyer sends in a demand for double that,knowing that it will be reduced by half by the insurance adjuster.

   To help you understand what a claim is worth. The adjuster usually calculates pain and suffering as one-half to one-third of the medical bills. Say your medical bills are 5,000.00. Your pain and suffering will be most likely calculated at an additional $2,500 - $4,000.00.

   You can just as easily do this yourself by collecting all your medical bills, adding them up, putting three times the total amount as your demand amount. Once you have all this information simply email, fax, or send it to the adjuster in whats called a demand package.

   ***It is a misconception that insurance companies pay for your legal fees. The claim is only worth what it is worth. So if it is worth $10,000.00 with a lawyer, it will be worth $10,000.00 without one. The only difference is with a lawyer, you will be splitting your total settlement amount and end up with only about $6,000.00 (and that's before you pay back your medical bills).