An automotive insurance claims adjuster is provided a set of guidelines prior to investigating and valuating claims. These guidelines direct the adjuster’s investigation and, as a result, are often the guiding factors for the amount of money he recommends to be offered to the claimant. Below is an explanation of an insurance adjuster’s motivations behind his appraisal.
Saving the Company Money
The insurance adjuster is employed by the insurance company to investigate claims and identify the least amount of money the injured party needs. This means that the adjuster is looking for any means by which he can reduce the amount of your claim, including obtaining cheaper repair estimates, valuing your car low or rejecting medical claims as unrelated to the accident.
The adjuster can also take the path of denying a claim altogether to accomplish the goal of saving the company money. If the adjuster finds that the driver acted negligently, such as drinking and driving, or recklessly, such as running a red light, he may try to use that information as a basis for denying a claim altogether.
Protecting the Company
Alongside keeping the insurance company’s money in its pockets, an adjuster also wants to protect the company from bad public relations and other negative views. An adjuster, therefore, will try to keep the company in as good light as possible while investigating and valuing a claim. Therefore, do not approach the adjuster thinking that he will remark negatively or make a derogatory comment about the company.
Protect Himself
An auto insurance adjuster is an employee of the insurance company. His job is to save the company money, and only through doing his job well can he be assured of further employment. The adjuster is not on the side of the party claiming damages or injury and will not take any steps to support the injured party over the company’s intent.
Discover Loopholes
In his attempts to provide as little compensation for the auto accident as possible, an adjuster will investigate whether any of the involved parties are obtaining compensation from another source. This compensation could derive from a medical insurance policy or supplemental accident insurance provided by an employer. If discovered, the amount the parties have or expect to receive will be deducted from the offer.
Getting Legal Help
An adjuster is not on the side of the party injured in an auto accident. If you have been involved in an automobile accident and anticipate the insurance company sending an adjuster to ascribe value to your claim, speak to an attorney.
