Dealing with insurance adjusters after an incident can often feel like a David vs Goliath battle. You just want fair compensation for your claim. Adjusters aim to minimize payouts to protect corporate interests.
While most adjusters are ethical, some use manipulative tactics to take advantage of policyholders’ lack of expertise. If you suspect you’re dealing with a potentially dishonest adjuster, arming yourself with knowledge on how to scare insurance adjuster off is key to securing the claim settlement you deserve.
The Adjuster’s Playbook: Common Dirty Tactics
Based on data from groups like the Consumer Federation of America, here are some of the most frequent underhanded techniques adjusters deploy:
- Lowballing: Offering unreasonably small upfront settlements, hoping you’ll take the quick payout rather than hold out.
- Stalling: Dragging their feet responding to inquiries, “losing” paperwork, asking for redundant information – all to frustrate you into accepting less.
- Technicality Denials: Scrutinizing policies for questionable reasons to deny claims like “pre-existing conditions,” “negligence,” etc.
- Blame Shifting: Angling questions to get you to partially admit fault, reducing claim validity.
- Pressuring Recorded Statements: Pushing claimants to make recorded statements that can be used against them later.
Leveling the Playing Field: Outsmarting Disingenuous Adjusters
Don’t let corrupt adjusters intimidate you. Knowledge of their bag of tricks puts you steps ahead. Here are proven techniques policyholders can use to counteract underhanded behavior:
Be Ready with Documentation
The more prepared you are, the less an adjuster can take advantage:
- Have evidence like photos, videos, repair estimates, and receipts ready to substantiate your claim.
- Maintain thorough records of all communications and document exchanges so nothing gets “lost.”
Project Confidence
Dishonest adjusters leverage intimidation to fluster claimants. Stay cool and calm:
- Don’t let them shake your confidence or make you second-guess yourself.
- Ask direct questions and challenge anything suspicious. Don’t be timid.
Refuse Bullying and Stand Firm
Make it clear you won’t be pressured or bamboozled:
- Say no to lowball offers and stonewalling. Stand your ground.
- State explicitly the minimum settlement you’ll accept.
- If they won’t negotiate fairly, don’t hesitate to terminate talks.
Be Ready to Walk Away
You have power – don’t be afraid to use it if adjusters won’t treat you fairly.
- Highlight your bottom line and reiterate policy rights.
- If no agreement can be reached, don’t be scared to part ways.
- For outright denial or illegal behavior, file official complaints with regulators.
The Bottom Line
Dishonest insurance adjusters rely on exploiting claimants’ lack of expertise and timidity. But knowledge of their underhanded tactics, preparation, composure, and assertiveness can empower you on how to scare insurance adjuster off and earn the fair claim settlement the policy entitles you to.
