Waiting for an insurance payout after a car accident can be incredibly frustrating. You’re left dealing with mounting medical bills, car repairs, and financial uncertainty. This process can be even more difficult if the insurance company drags its feet, causing significant delays in you receiving the compensation you deserve. Delays can last weeks or even months, compounding an already stressful situation.
Fighting these delays on your own can feel overwhelming, especially when insurers use stalling tactics to pressure you into accepting a lower settlement. If you’re struggling to get the payment you deserve, an experienced car accident attorney can help cut through the red tape and hold the insurance company accountable.
How Insurance Companies Use Delays to Their Advantage
Car insurance companies often delay paying valid claims to protect their profits. Their adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, offering you the lowest possible settlement – or even wrongfully denying your claim altogether. These delays can be frustrating, especially when you’re dealing with medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost income.
The insurance company will tell you the investigation is complex and they need extra time to investigate. While there are some complex claims that require extra time, insurance companies sometimes still delay even the most straightforward claims.
One reason they do this is to reduce the payout that is due. Insurance companies are for-profit entities. Their ultimate goal is to protect their bottom line. By making a victim wait, they increase the pressure to settle on the victim. If the victim settles, they generally loses the right to sue. If a victim loses the right to sue, they are unable to go to the court for appropriate compensation.
It’s vital that victims understand that insurance companies are notorious for implementing delay tactics. It’s important to get assistance so that the insurance company can’t play their games. They may also look to delay the claim so that the statute of limitations runs ou,t and then the victim wouldn’t have legal rights to the claim.
Delay Tactics Used by the Insurance Company
The delay tactics insurance companies use include and may not be limited to:
- Taking several days or up to a week to get back to the victim after the claim is filed.
- They may wait to begin the investigation.
- The insurance company may delay in responding to emails or phone calls.
- The insurance company may expect you to fill out many forms, most of which the victim may not understand, or ask for information the victim has already provided.
- They may say that they need more time to investigate even when liability is clear.
- They may ask for an extension to process your claim. This isn’t always a delay tactic, but it may be in clear-cut accidents.
What to Do If the Insurance Company Is Using Delay Tactics
If the victim thinks the insurance company is using delay tactics, there are some steps that should be taken to help protect the victim’s legal rights.
- The victim should contact their insurance agent. This is a good way to get information on your claim.
- Review the insurance policy. By reviewing the policy, the victim may learn more about the rights they have and the timeframe the insurance company has to review the claim.
- Document, document, document. The victim should keep documentation on every conversation, email, or letter received by the insurance company.
- Get legal advice. Often, an attorney has an easier time conversing with the insurance company. Insurance companies are less likely to delay a claim if the victim has legal representation.
Get Help with Insurance Company Delays
If you were injured because of another person’s negligence, you may have a valid personal injury claim. Don’t let the insurance company yank you around. Towey Law PLLC is here to help. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will help make sure the insurance company doesn’t improperly delay your claim. Schedule your free consultation now.