You like your insurance agent. He offers you his cell phone number and tells you to call any time you need him. You see pictures of him on Facebook playing with his perfect little kids. He even sends you a bag of mixed nuts every Christmas. He’s a good guy.

But just because your agent is a “good guy,” doesn’t mean the insurance company he represents has your best interests in mind. Despite the fact that you give them hundreds or thousands of dollars every year, you’re nothing more than a source of income. The moment you become a liability is the moment they go to war with you.

Are Insurance Companies the Bad Guys?

It’s tough to say this – because, you know, your agent is a good guy – but the insurance company isn’t your friend. When you’re in a car accident, or you slip and fall on a wet floor at a restaurant, the insurance company isn’t going to run to your side and offer you a pile of cash. Instead, they’re going to do everything they can to protect their bottom line.

The insurance industry isn’t based on charity. These companies stay in business because they turn massive profits. Every dollar they pay out is a dollar less they can use to invest and generate profits. So if you ever do find yourself in a situation where you’re injured and ready to file a claim, be aware of the fact that the insurance company isn’t on your side.

Check with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to insure you get treated fairly by your insurer.

4 Things They Don’t Want You to Know

Most insurance companies won’t flat out lie to you – there are plenty of regulations and laws against this – but they won’t tell you everything. Here are some things they really don’t want you to know:

1. Insurance Companies Always Low-ball

As any good negotiator understands, you don’t give your bottom line offer the very first time you interact. You’ll never, for example, see a used car dealer offer a car at the price he’s actually willing to take. He always inflates the number to account for negotiations. The same is true with insurance companies.

In a car accident case, an insurance company may only offer you a quarter on the dollar. You have to be savvy enough to understand this tactic and negotiate with them. They play hardball for a living, so it won’t be easy. However, with enough time and determination, you can squeeze more out of your claim.

2. You Only Have a Certain Amount of Time

Insurance companies are in no rush to pay out on a claim. In fact, they’d often prefer to let your situation sit for a while. After all, the clock is running.

In every state, there is a statute of limitations that impacts how long you have to pursue charges or claims. In Florida, for example, you have four years.

“The clock will start running from the date you were diagnosed with a personal injury relating to an incident or from the date of the incident in question,” Anderson &Anderson Personal Injury Attorneys explains. “Once the four years have passed, if you were unable to file your lawsuit, you will have lost the opportunity to do so, as the judge will bar your case from being heard.”

Make sure you’re clear on the statute of limitations for your jurisdiction and how this impacts your claim. Don’t delay in filing!

3. You Can Fight Back Against a Denied Claim

Just because a claim gets denied, doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. You can (and probably should) fight back. It’s completely within your rights and could make a huge difference in your case.

4. You Should Hire a Lawyer

Insurance companies don’t want you to hire a lawyer. They’d much rather have you unrepresented, which makes you an easy target for manipulation. This is exactly why you should hire one. Do so before ever speaking a word.

Look Out for Yourself

If you find yourself in a situation where you need the financial assistance to offset some of the negative results of an injury, make sure you know the truth. As friendly as your “good guy” agent is, remember that the insurance company isn’t on your side. Lawyer up and fight back – it’s your right!

Shift Frequency © 2019 –  Insurance Companies,
Personal Injury Claims, and the Truth