Claims adjusters are hired to save insurance companies money. One way insurance companies make money is by not paying the full value on claims made by people injured in accidents. For example, if the insurance company values a claim at $100,000; but the injured party, unaware of the true value of his case, is willing to accept $10,000, the insurance company will quickly issue a check for $10,000 in exchange for a signed release. Unfortunately, most people don‘t know what to ask for or what their case is worth. Likewise, an insurance company may be reluctant to pay the full value of a case to a person without a lawyer, since you pose no real threat of filing a lawsuit. Adjusters want nothing more than to get the party they insure off the hook for as little money as possible.

When beginning negotiations, an adjuster may tell you to contact the insurance company for another person or business involved in the accident because that other person or business was more responsible than its insured. Politely remind the adjuster that until one company or the other commits itself in writing to be the primary insurance carrier, you are entitled to proceed against either responsible party and that you are doing so against that adjuster’s insured.

An experienced personal injury attorney will look out for your best interest.