Common Problems with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies have increasingly become more difficult in resolving auto accident claims. They can be slow to respond and haphazardly deny liability and raise challenges to valid claims. They present delays and obstacle to resolving issues in order to discourage people from submitting claims so that they do not have to pay out money.

The insurance adjuster from the other driver’s insurance company will usually contact you very quickly after the accident and tell you that you must provide a recorded statement in order to consider the property damage claim, the personal injuries and even to open a claim.

You do not have to provide a recorded statement and it is recommended that you don’t. The insurance company will ask questions about the accident or your injuries which can be vague and misleading.

You may inadvertently answer those questions unfavorably to your case allowing the insurance company to later use that information against you (Read Should I Provide a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company?). Thus, although the insurance company may accept liability over the telephone, it is not put in writing for this reason.

The insurance adjuster from the other driver’s insurance company may also request that you sign a Medical Authorization which gives them permission to obtain all of your medical records, sometimes from as far back as ten years ago.

They do this without committing that they will then pay for your medical care treatment and expenses. The reason they want the extensive past medical records is so that they can blame your current injuries on your past injuries and deny responsibility and liability.

They will try to use your past history to reduce their pay out in this current accident. The insurance company is entitled to review your medical records related to the current accident.

The law provides that the insurance company take the Plaintiff (the injured party bringing the action) as they find the Plaintiff, therefore prior injuries do not prevent the Plaintiff from receiving compensation from injuries in the current case. The insurance company will be quick to make this unfair claim.