How to Talk With Insurance Adjusters Regarding Car Damage
A car accident is stressful on its own, but dealing with an insurance adjuster to get a settlement for the damage adds an extra layer of stress. Carinsurance.com says adjusters want to save as much money as possible for the insurance company. They are experienced negotiators, so you must be prepared and know how to talk to them properly to get the best settlement for your damage. Fair compensation should be your goal when you talk to the adjuster.
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Instructions
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Review your car insurance policy thoroughly before talking to the insurance adjuster. Gary Boggs, an independent insurance adjuster with more than 30 years of experience, says adjusters work under the policy's terms and constraints. You can talk more knowledgeably with the adjuster if you are familiar with the policy yourself.
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Describe the circumstances of the accident honestly to the adjuster. Boggs says honesty is very important because it will streamline the adjustment process. It will help the adjuster determine exactly what happened and handle the claim rapidly and fairly.
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Get at least two repair estimates for your car damage. Boggs recommends getting one of them from your original car dealer. Get a third estimate if there is a large variance between the first two.
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Look up your car's actual cash value if the adjuster declares it a total loss due to the accident damage. This will help assure you that you are getting a fair value. Boggs says insurance companies use databases to calculate a totaled vehicle's value. They take factors like mileage and equipment into account. Let the adjuster know if you come up with a significantly different value and tell her where and how you got it.
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Stand firm if you do not believe the adjuster is offering you a fair amount. Maintain your position aggressively and produce the documentation to back it up. Let the adjuster know you will hire a lawyer as a last resort if she is unwilling to compromise. This will often make her more willing to settle.
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Tips & Warnings
You do not have to deal with an insurance adjuster on your own if you feel you are not being treated fairly or just don't want to go through the stress. You can hire a lawyer to act as your representative. You will have to pay him out of the settlement, but carinsurance.com says his expertise will likely get you a higher amount than you could have gotten on your own, which will offset some of the fee.
Never accept a settlement offer from the other driver at the accident scene. Insist on getting insurance information and dealing with the insurance company, Boggs advises. An individual can easily break his promise to pay, and you may have a very difficult time trying to collect.
