What to Remember When Faced with an Insurance Adjuster
Michael Babboni
Insurance Coverage
Insurance adjusters are the ones to investigate claims on behalf of the insurance companies. They will be the ones to help determine how much money if any will be paid following an auto accident.The insurance adjuster will review and investigate the vehicle damage and injuries and will also review the police reports, talk with any witnesses, and then speak directly to the claimant.
Florida is one of the twelve no-fault states in the country which means that Florida drivers are legally required to have personal injury protection (PIP) included in their auto insurance policies. This type of insurance coverage offers benefits to drivers that have been injured because of an auto accident. The driver can receive up to $10,000 in coverage, and if there are lost wages or medical costs, then the coverage will pay up to 60 percent for the lost wages as well as approximately 80 percent for any medical costs involved.
Determining Payments
So, how does the insurance adjuster determine the amount of the payments following their inspection and evaluation? They take into consideration the police report, medical records, lost income, and photos and other evidence about the accident and then will begin to calculate what kind of compensation may be awarded.
The insurance adjuster will never take anything the claimant says as fact and will always conduct their own investigation to get to the truth. This also means they will ask you to hand over any evidence or records you may have concerning the accident for them to review.
Hiring an Attorney
Before handing over any photos or other documentation, however, you should consult with an experienced attorney. The insurance company doesn't have your best interests in mind which means they won't be as fair as you think they will be when determining the payments if there are any, to begin with.
They will find any small detail they can to prove what you have said contradicts what you may have previously said or what is in the police reports. The attorney is mindful of these practices, however, and can be the middleman for you.
Never Prematurely Sign Documents
Additionally, you never want to sign any documents or statements provided by the insurance adjuster until you have consulted with your attorney. All correspondence between the claimant and the insurance adjuster should go through the attorney before any signatures are collected. This is a good way to protect the claimant and ensure fair practices.
PIP Versus Liability Claims Adjusters
PIP adjusters don't investigate the fault in an accident. Instead, they evaluate the claim you file to make sure it meets all the requirements including the claimant receiving medical care within fourteen days following the accident, understanding any emergency medical conditions, and making sure that you are not asking for compensation for therapy or acupuncture because PIP does not cover this kind of treatment.
They are more concerned with the damages that have been sustained to the vehicles following the accident while the liability claims adjuster finds who is at fault.