Do you feel disappointed and dissatisfied with the outcome of your home insurance claim? Your insurance adjuster may have used home insurance claim adjuster secret tactics minimize the payout on your claim.
In this article, we will discuss the top home insurance claim adjuster secret tactics and offer you tips to protect your rights as a policyholder. We have provided common home insurance adjuster tricks, which will help you identify when an insurance adjuster is using tactics against you.
Common Home insurance claim adjuster secret tactics:
Insurance companies apply dirty tricks to lower your settlement amount. Here is the list of games Insurance adjusters play to deceive you. Beware if you face such things from your insurance adjuster.
Claim adjuster secret tactics 1: Asking about your Fault:
One standard secret trick insurance adjusters use in property damage claims is to claim that you are responsible or partially responsible for the damage.
They will try to deceive you into admitting Fault, which can considerably reduce the value of your claim.
For instance, they may claim that you didn’t close your windows, which caused flooding during a storm.
You may also face ‘gaslighting’ when an insurance adjuster tricks you into thinking you cause the damage. To avoid falling for these tactics, do not accept Fault and keep in mind that you can be tricked into admitting Fault.
Insurance claim adjusters will ask difficult questions to prove you are faulty for the damage.
Adjuster Secret tactic 2: Delaying Tactics
Insurance adjusters delay claims to get you to accept a lowball offer. They will do everything to make you tired of waiting for Money and home repair, ignoring your calls and emails.
If you endure delaying tactics, you are a victim of bad Faith and should seek the help of a property damage attorney.
Adjuster Secret tactic 3: Requesting a recorded statement:
One of the most common tactics used by insurance claim adjusters is to ask for a recorded statement as soon as possible. They try to catch you saying something that might paint you as partially at fault, even if they know you weren’t. Adjusters ask leading and manipulative questions that get you to say something that could potentially hurt your claim.
Adjuster Secret tactic 4: Asking for an official statement:
Insurance claims adjusters use an official statement request as a secret weapon. They know that most people will be nervous during an official statement, and they may slip up and say something that could hurt their case.
Adjuster Secret tactic 5: Blaming the damage on pre-existing conditions:
Adjusters may try to blame the damage on pre-existing conditions in your home. They may claim that the damage was caused by something that was already there before you bought the home, or that it was caused by wear and tear. It’s important to have evidence to refute these claims.
Claim adjuster secret tactics 6: False Deadlines
False deadlines may also be used by the insurance adjuster to get you to accept a lowball settlement offer. They’ll scare you by saying you have a short time to accept the offer.
It is a fake deadline that you do not have to accept. Always negotiate for a better settlement amount offer, and don’t accept a lowball offer. Property damage attorneys can help if you’re worried.
Adjuster Secret tactic 7: Insurance policy loopholes
If you’ve ever signed an insurance policy, you’re familiar with dozens of pages of rules and guidelines. This is done to convince you to ignore aspects that may not support you and avoid reading the complete policy.
They will utilize it to tell you that you don’t have coverage for particular house damage owing to a policy loophole they found. Before signing any contract, read your policy carefully. Hire an expert to help you in understanding the procedures.
Home Adjuster Secret tactic 8: requesting unnecessary documentation:
Insurance adjusters demand a variety of documentation, including receipts, visual evidence, bills, and reports. However, a typical insurance adjuster approach is to request documents that aren’t required because they know you don’t have them.
For example, you may be asked to provide a repair bill for property damage that happened ten years ago. It is just Another tactic to convince you to accept a low settlement offer.
Adjuster Secret tactic 9: Lowball settlement offer
Adjusters will lowball your claim and injuries by giving a low settlement sum that doesn’t cover your damages.
Adjusters frequently employ delay tactics to prolong the process and purposefully test your patience. They aim to force you into accepting a low settlement offer when you deserve more.
Claim adjuster secret tactics 10: Telling you Not to hire an Attorney
Insurance companies fear attorneys because they know they will reveal their actions of bad Faith.
Your insurance agent will convince you that hiring an attorney is unnecessary and a waste of Money. This doesn’t seem right to him.
Contacting a law firm always produces a higher settlement offer, even after deducting attorney fees.
An attorney can fight effectively on your side throughout the claims process to prevent attorneys’ misleading methods and get you the best settlement amount possible.
Adjuster Secret tactic 11: Fake kindness:
Be aware of too pleasant insurance adjusters. They are not your friend; they work for an insurance company.
While it is always welcomed when you are treated with respect and sympathy, the red flags appear when they want to ‘befriend’ you. They use this tactic to lower your guard to use information against you.
Claim adjuster secret tactics 12: Lowball offers
Home adjusters will try to get you to accept a lowball offer. They will even make fake promises that appear to be in your favor but, in reality, work against you.
Insurance adjusters get bonuses for a lower ball settlement, so he will use every trick to make you fool.
Adjuster Secret tactic 13: Disputing the Medical treatment
Sometimes the Adjuster will agree to “accept” only 70, 80, or 90% of your previous medical treatment bills.
The well-trained Adjuster knows that most people will not hire a law firm to challenge the refusal to pay a small percentage of the medical treatment expenditures.
Tips for how to negotiate with an insurance adjuster:
Here are some tips for negotiating with an insurance adjuster:
• Be prepared. Research how much similar claims have been settled for and gather evidence to support your claim. Know your policy inside and out.
• Be polite but firm. Stay calm and professional, but make it clear you expect fair compensation for your claim.
• Provide a specific demand. Don’t just say you want “fair compensation.” Give a specific dollar amount based on your research. This gives the adjuster a starting point.
• Explain your reasoning. Walk the adjuster through your evidence and calculations for how you arrived at your demand amount. Point out any relevant policy provisions.
• Offer to compromise. If the adjuster’s initial offer is too low, don’t reject it outright. Offer to split the difference. This shows you’re willing to negotiate.
• Don’t accept the first offer. Insurance companies often lowball the first offer, expecting claimants to accept. Stand your ground and negotiate.
• Appeal to empathy. Remind the adjuster that this claim is important to you and has impacted your life. Appeal to their sense of fairness.
• Consider mediation. If you and the adjuster reach an impasse, mediation through your state’s department of insurance may help reach a compromise.
• Threaten legal action as a last resort. Only make this threat if you’re truly willing to follow through. It can sour the negotiation.
• Stay calm. Try not to get emotional. This will only undermine your negotiation position. Stay polite and professional.
How to deal with an insurance adjuster after a house fire?
Here are some tips for dealing with an insurance adjuster after a house fire:
• Be prepared. Gather all relevant documents like your insurance policy, photos of the damage, receipts for repairs or replaced items, and contractor estimates. This will help expedite the claims process.
• Take lots of photos. Document the damage as much as possible with photos and video. This will help support your claim and negotiate a fair settlement.
• Make temporary repairs. Cover holes in the roof, board up windows, etc. to prevent further damage. Your policy may cover these costs.
• Keep records of all expenses. Save receipts for any costs related to the fire like hotel bills, food costs, and cleaning. You may be reimbursed for these living expenses.
• Be available. The adjuster will likely want to inspect the damage in person. Accommodate their schedule as much as possible.
• Stay calm and be honest. Don’t exaggerate the damage or rush the adjuster. Take your time and answer all their questions truthfully.
• Get multiple contractor estimates. This will help establish the scope of repairs and support a higher settlement amount.
• Don’t accept the first offer. Insurance companies often lowball the first settlement offer. Negotiate for a higher amount if needed.
• Consider hiring a public adjuster. This may be worthwhile if the damage is extensive and you want to maximize your claim payout.
• File any supplements as needed. As you discover additional damage or expenses, file supplements to your initial claim for reimbursement.
• Keep the adjuster updated. Communicate any changes throughout the claims and repair process. This will help avoid delays or issues down the road.
Top 5 Things to Avoid When Speaking with an Insurance:
To assist you in this situation, here are the main things I recommend avoiding when speaking with an insurance company after an accident:
- Do not admit fault or apologize. Stay factual and do not speculate on who was at fault.
- Avoid speculation and opinions. Stick only to the facts as you know them from your direct observations and experiences.
- Do not exaggerate or minimize your injuries. Let your doctor determine the extent of your injuries.
- Do not provide unnecessary details. Only give information that is directly relevant or in response to a specific question.
- Do not speculate on the cause of the accident. Stick to a factual description of the events as you observed them.
- Do not agree to be recorded without consulting a lawyer first.
- Do not sign any documents without having a lawyer review them first.
- Avoid using phrases like “I think” or “in my opinion.” Stick only to the facts.
- Do not say you are “fine” if you have any injuries, no matter how minor. Let a doctor determine if you are actually uninjured.
Home insurance claim adjuster secret tactics | FAQs
Do insurance adjusters follow you around?
Insurance companies are allowed to track you around in public locations. They cannot check in on your phone or search your home, but they can photograph you while you are out in public. They gather evidence to sue you and accept lowball offers.
How long does it take an insurance adjuster to come out?
There are a few factors that determine how long it takes an insurance adjuster to come out after an insurance claim is file:
- Type of claim – Some claims, like auto accidents, are prioritized and adjusters will come out sooner. Other claims, like home or property damage claims, may take longer.
- Severity of damage – More severe damage that requires a detailed inspection will likely get an adjuster out sooner. Minor damage may allow the adjuster to gather more information first.
- Insurance company workload – The busier an insurance company is, the longer it may take for an adjuster to be assign and come out.
- Location – If the damage is in a remote location or the adjuster has to travel a long distance, it will take longer.
In general, here are some guidelines for how long it may take:
- Auto accidents – Adjusters usually arrive within 1-3 days, sooner for severe accidents.
- Home claims – It takes 3-7 days for an adjuster to assess damage from fires, floods, or storms.
• Business claims: Adjusters arrive within 2–5 days.
- Minor claims – An adjuster may gather information over the phone and come out after a week for claims with limited damage.