Filing a home insurance claim can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, especially when you’re dealing with the aftermath of a disaster or unexpected event.
Home insurance claim adjusters are experts who examine and look into insurance claims. They work for the insurance company to make sure they only pay what’s needed to cover the damage.
But remember, adjusters aren’t there to help you. Their main goal is to reduce the amount the insurance company has to pay.
In this article, we’ll reveal some of the secret tactics that home insurance claim adjusters use to reduce the payout on your claim and provide tips on how to protect yourself and ensure you receive fair compensation.
What does a home insurance claim adjuster do?
Home insurance adjusters play a crucial role in the claims process, ensuring that only legitimate damages are compensated. These professionals are responsible for thoroughly investigating the extent of the damage incurred in your home, gathering evidence, and determining the total value of everything that has been lost.
Once they have completed their examination, they will estimate how much your insurance company owes you and approve your claims, so you can receive the compensation you deserve.
Without the adjuster’s approval, your insurance company won’t fund your needs according to your claims, making their role vital in the claims process.
Common Home insurance claim adjuster secret tactics
Low settlement offer
If you get a low offer, it’s usually not because you overestimated the damage. Instead, it’s more likely because insurance adjusters want to pay less, and they want to tire you out.
A common tactic they use is to say repairs will cost much less than the actual price.
Don’t accept it. If you’re not happy with the offer, you can get an independent inspection and quotes from contractors. You can use these to show that your claim has been undervalued.
Lawyers who specialize in property damage can be very helpful in these situations. They can help prove the real cost of the damage so you don’t lose money later.
Adjusters often offer you less than what you originally claimed. This is a way to make you think you asked for too much at first.
While that’s not true, many people fall for this tactic and end up settling for a lower amount, which is exactly what the adjuster wanted.
Delaying
Insurance adjusters might use slow tactics to try and frustrate you. However, they know that when people are desperate for money and repairs, they get tired of waiting.
They might avoid returning your calls or replying to your emails, all to pressure you into accepting a low offer.
Don’t fall for it. If you’re facing these delay tactics, you’re dealing with unfair practices. You can reach out to a lawyer who deals with property damage.
Adjusters know that the longer they take, the more likely you’ll get frustrated and accept any offer, even if it’s way less than what you asked for.
Giving you a false deadline
Insurance adjusters’ main aim is to get the smallest claim from their customers. They might offer you a much lower amount than you expected and tell you there’s a deadline to accept it, otherwise, you lose the offer.
They do this to make you panic and settle for less, thinking it’s better than getting nothing. But the truth is, you have every right to ask for more money.
They might try to scare you into accepting a low offer by saying it’s only available until a certain date. But don’t believe them. This deadline is just a trick. You can always negotiate for a better deal and you don’t have to accept their low offer by any deadline.
If you’re scared and this is happening to you, you can reach out to a lawyer who specializes in property damage. They can quickly get in touch with the insurance company and fix things.
Requesting unnecessary documents
Insurance adjusters often ask for different documents like receipts, photos, bills, and reports. But sometimes, they ask for documents you don’t need and they know you don’t have.
For example, they might ask for a repair bill from ten years ago. This is just a trick they use to make you accept a smaller offer.
Some adjusters even ask for documents that aren’t necessary for the claim process. They do this to scare you.
They know you don’t have these documents, but they ask for them anyway to make it look like you’re missing something important for the process.
Trying to talk you out of seeking legal advice
Your insurance agent might try to convince you that getting a lawyer is unnecessary, against the rules, or just a waste of money. But that’s not true.
Hiring a lawyer usually results in a bigger settlement, even after you pay the lawyer’s fees.
Lawyers can strongly defend your interests during the claims process, protect you from manipulative tactics, and help you get the highest possible settlement.
Adjusters prefer to be the only experts involved when handling insurance claims. That’s why they’ll try to discourage you from hiring a lawyer who could uncover their secret tactics.
They might tell you it’s a waste of money or against the rules, but that’s not accurate. When you have a lawyer on your side, you’re more likely to end up with a bigger settlement.
Getting you to admit your fault
Insurance adjusters often try to make you say it was your fault, so they can pay less for your claim. If you’re not used to their tactics, it’s easy to be fooled.
They might accuse you of not doing enough to prevent damage, or claim that the damage happened outside the accident timeframe. For example, they might suggest you left windows unlocked during a storm or your appliances were already broken before a fire.
They could even ‘gaslight’ you into believing you’re the cause. Remember, these adjusters are not your friends. It’s important to stay firm and not be tricked into admitting fault.
Long-drawn negotiations
Adjusters’ main aim is to make you accept a lower amount, so they’ll make the negotiations last so long that you eventually feel worn out. They want you to get so tired of the process that you just give up and settle.
Don’t let this trick work on you. Instead, stand strong and fight for what you rightfully deserve.
Policy loopholes
Insurance policies are often packed with a lot of rules and conditions that are difficult to understand. They do this hoping you’ll miss some points that don’t work in your favor.
They might use this to tell you that your policy doesn’t cover certain damages to your house, finding loopholes in the policy. That’s why it’s important to understand everything about Homeowners Insurance before you sign any contract. You can even get a professional to help you understand it.
Often, insurance papers are purposefully made complex.
Some clients report that their insurance company said their property damage isn’t covered. They usually cite a small technical detail.
But many times, this isn’t true. You’re their customer and you’ve paid for the policy.
Faking kindness
Be cautious of insurance adjusters who seem too friendly. They’re not your friends; they work for an insurance company.
It’s nice to be treated with respect and kindness, but be careful when they try to become too friendly. They do this to make you lower your guard so they can use your information against you.
It’s not rare for adjusters to get bonuses for small settlements, and they might see you as just another chance for this.
Adjusters are good at gaining their clients’ trust. Once they have your trust, they know you’ll probably believe whatever they tell you and agree to their settlement offer.
While it’s fine to be polite with them, you don’t need to show them any weakness because they’re not your friends.
Making fake promises
A home insurance adjuster might make promises that seem good for you, but actually, they’re looking out for the insurance company, not you!
For instance, they might say they’ll cover a certain type of repair, but later tell you it was ‘too much’ and won’t be covered.
Insurance adjusters will do whatever they can to settle for a low amount. They might even make fake promises that seem to be in your favor, but actually work against you.
Their main goal is to do their job and get paid, not to look after you. Some adjusters even get bonuses for lower settlements, so you could just be another target for them.
Related post: How to Make a Successful Water Leak Insurance Claim
Closing Note
Home insurance claims adjusters have lots of strategies that can annoy you during the inspection, but it’s just part of the process.
These secret tactics are used to make sure you’re not faking a claim and to try to get a cheaper settlement with you, which can be frustrating.
Most importantly, it’s a good idea to fully understand Claims Information, so you’re always prepared.