What Are The Tricks Insurance Companies Use In North Carolina To Pay You Less?

In a perfect world, when you have a valid insurance claim, insurance companies would quickly and fairly give you the money you’re owed. But in reality, insurance companies aim to make as much profit as they can, so they often try to pay as little as possible. In North Carolina, and in many other places, people often have to fight with insurance companies to get the money they should rightfully receive.

Lowballing Initial Offers

A trick that insurance companies often pull is to offer you way less money than your claim is actually worth when they first make an offer. They do this hoping you’ll take the quick cash without realizing how much you’re really owed. It’s important to keep in mind that the initial offer is usually just the beginning of the negotiation process, and you have the right to pursue a fairer compensation amount.

Delaying Claim Processing

Insurance companies understand that when you’re facing lots of medical bills, property damage or lost wages, time is not your friend. They might purposely delay your claim to push you into accepting less money. They can do this by asking for a lot of paperwork, doing lots of investigations or just dragging out the process. By causing delays, they aim for you to ultimately accept a lower settlement simply to bring the whole process to a close.

Disputing Liability

In addition, these companies like to play a game where they argue that you or someone else should take the blame for what happened. In North Carolina, they follow a rule that if they can show you had even a tiny part in causing the accident, they might say no to your claim or give you less money. That’s why it’s crucial to collect proof, talk to people who saw what happened, and get advice from a lawyer to protect your rights and show who’s really at fault.

Minimizing Medical Expenses

When you’re trying to get compensated for an injury, insurance companies may try to make your injury seem less serious or say you didn’t need all the medical treatment you got. They might even claim your injury was there before or had nothing to do with the accident or that your medical bills are too high. To fight this, it’s important to keep good records of your medical treatment and get opinions from medical experts who can back up your case.

Utilizing Surveillance

Private investigators are often hired to spy on people making claims. They want to catch you doing things that don’t match up with what you’ve said about your injuries. For instance, they might record you doing something physical that you said you couldn’t do because of your injuries. To make sure your claim stays strong, it’s a good idea to be careful about what you do while your claim is ongoing, and if you’re worried about being watched, talk to your lawyer about it.

Offering Quick Settlements

Insurance people might push you to take fast settlements, especially when you’re in a tight spot with money or have lots of bills piling up. These quick deals usually give you way less than what your claim is really worth, and they’re trying to take advantage of your tough situation. It’s vital to take your time and talk to experts who can figure out how much your claim is really valued at and help you decide what’s best for you.

Utilizing Ambiguous Language

Insurance documents are known for being hard to understand, and insurance companies can sometimes use tricky wording to pay you less money. To fight this, you have to make sure that you read and understand your policy. If it’s too confusing, it’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer who knows about insurance rules. They can help you figure out what the policy really says and make sure you get all the money you should.

Why Having Legal Representation Is Important

It’s a big deal to have a lawyer when you’re dealing with insurance companies in North Carolina. These companies usually have a bunch of people who know how to pay out less money. But having a lawyer can even things out and make sure you’re looked after.

• Legal Expertise. Insurance policies and rules can be really complicated. But if you have a lawyer who knows a lot about insurance, they can help you understand all the tricky details in your policy and the laws that apply to it. This way, you’ll make sure you get all the benefits you should.
• Negotiation Skills. Insurance companies are really good at talking people into accepting less money than they deserve. If you have legal representation, they can talk to the insurance company for you. They’ve done this a lot, so they know how to get you a fair deal that actually matches what you’ve lost.
• Claims Process Guidance. Dealing with insurance claims can feel like a big, confusing maze, especially when you’re dealing with things like injuries, damage to your stuff or feeling upset about it all. Your attorney can be like your map and help you go through each step. They’ll make sure you do all the things you need to do on time.
• Protection Against Bad Faith Practices. Insurance companies have to be fair and honest when they’re dealing with your claims. But if they’re not, a lawyer can make sure they get in trouble for it and try to make things right for you.
• Evidence Collection And Documentation. If you want to make sure your case goes well, it’s crucial to write down what happened and get all the proof you need. A lawyer can help you get stuff like your medical records, reports about the accident, what people who saw it said, and opinions from experts.
• Understanding Your Rights. Sometimes, the people from the insurance company might try to get you to say things that could make it harder for you to get the money you deserve. They might also try to make you think you don’t have as many rights as you really do. Your attorney can make sure you know your rights and help make sure you get treated fairly.
• Handling Complex Claims. Dealing with certain insurance claims, especially when lots of people or big money is involved, can be really tricky. Having a lawyer who knows their stuff can be a huge help in managing these complicated cases.
• Contingency Fees. Lots of personal injury lawyers only get paid if you win your case. This way, you don’t have to pay them right away, which can make it easier for people who can’t afford to pay a lawyer upfront to get legal help.

Exploring Legal Assistance For Your Insurance Claim Needs?

When facing the complexities of filing a personal injury claim in North Carolina, there is no need to navigate the process alone. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Tatum & Atkinson, PLLC, where our lawyers are standing by to help you with your personal injury needs. Contact us today at 1-800-LAW-0804, the Heavy Hitters, for a free consultation to get started. You pay us nothing unless we win – call now to learn more!