How to Negotiate with Auto Insurance Settlements

You deserve a fair settlement from the insurance company.

An auto accident can be a very serious ordeal. You may be dealing with injuries, emotional trauma and a vehicle that can't be driven. You may have to take time off work, and fixing your vehicle on top of paying your medical bills may not be an option. If you've been injured in an auto accident or even if the only damage done was to your car, you deserve an insurance claim settlement, and there are strategies for negotiating the settlement you deserve with the insurance company.

Instructions

1. Gather all your paperwork and documentation before you set up a meeting with the insurance adjuster. This includes medical bills, vehicle repair estimates, the police report and pictures of your vehicle and your injuries. You should also have paperwork from your company verifying how many days of work you missed and how much money was lost during this time. If you need future medical treatment, bring proof of this from your doctor.

2. Bring copies of all your documentation and paperwork to give to the insurance adjuster. This shows that you have nothing to hide and that you're ready and willing to share all the facts about the auto accident.

3. Be prepared for the insurance adjuster's questions. She may attempt to confuse you so that you change your story. Don't be intimidated by the insurance adjuster. Know the facts, recreate the scene and have your paperwork and documentation ready to back you up.

4. Have an idea of the amount you need for your settlement, and don't accept less. You have your medical bills, and you should have a vehicle repair estimate as well. If you needed to take time off work to recover, you know how much money you lost. Add up all these sums and make it clear to the adjuster that you deserve every penny you lost as a result of the accident.

5. Don't ignore your pain and suffering. Typically, the amount victims are awarded for pain and suffering is three times the total amount of the medical bills. Have this figure prepared, and let the adjuster know the extent of your injuries and that you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. Don't waiver on this point, and don't let the adjuster cite other examples of similar cases where the victim received less. You're meeting with the adjuster to discuss your case and your case only.

Tips & Warnings

• If your company paid you for the time you had to miss with vacation days, sick days or other benefits, you should still receive the amount of money you would have earned as part of your insurance settlement. Your employee benefits are to be used how you want to use them.

References

• Car Insurance: Negotiating an Insurance Claim Settlement