When you get in a car accident, it’s the last thing you want to think about. But, auto insurance is there for a reason. Even though it’s not fun to think about getting into an accident, you need to be prepared for the worst. Unfortunately, some auto insurance companies take advantage of victims of car accidents. There are many ways that auto insurance companies exploit victims of car accidents. Here are 5 common tactics used by them and how you can protect yourself from falling victim to these exploitative practices. 

Ask for unnecessary repairs before making a settlement offer. 

One common way that insurance companies exploit accident victims is by asking for unnecessary repairs and inspections before making a settlement offer. What’s the point of asking for these repairs before even making a settlement offer? These repairs and inspections are not a part of your claim. They are not needed in order to fix your car. The only reason these repairs are being requested is to increase the amount of money you are owed. If your car only needs $1,000 in repairs, they will ask for $1,500 just because they know you will have to pay the $500 difference out of your own pocket. 

Delay making a settlement offer. 

Another common tactic that insurers use to exploit accident victims is by delaying the making of a settlement offer. The auto insurance company should make a settlement offer within a few weeks of your accident. If they do not, it’s a sign that they are not serious about making a quick and timely settlement offer. They are hoping that you are so sick and tired of dealing with the insurance process that you will just give up and settle for their low-ball settlement offer. Stay strong. Don’t let them exploit you by delaying their settlement offer. 

Use intimidation to get you to agree to an unfair settlement. 

Another common way that insurers exploit accident victims is by attempting to intimidate you into accepting an unfair settlement. You should be entitled to fair compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and the repairs or replacement of your damaged property. Unfortunately, some insurance companies are not interested in a fair settlement. They are only interested in getting you to accept whatever low-ball settlement offer they decide to give you. If an insurance company uses intimidation to try to get you to agree to an unfair settlement offer, don’t be pressured into accepting it. Stand up for yourself. You have the right to be fairly compensated for your losses. Don’t let them exploit you by trying to use intimidation to get you to agree to an unfair settlement offer. 

Run endless loops of needless negotiations. 

Another common way that insurers exploit accident victims is by running endless loops of needless negotiations. There is nothing wrong with negotiating a fair and reasonable settlement offer. What’s wrong is when an insurance company runs endless loops of negotiations with you. They keep asking you to agree to a settlement offer, you keep rejecting it, and they keep asking you to reconsider it. They run this pointless loop of negotiations hoping that you will eventually get so sick and tired of dealing with the insurance process that you will just give up and accept their low-ball settlement offer. Don’t let them exploit you by running endless loops of needless negotiations. 

Reduce the amount of your claim in order to profit from your misfortune. 

Another common way that insurers exploit accident victims is by reducing the amount of their claim in order to profit from their misfortune. When you get in a car accident, you are entitled to a fair amount of compensation for your losses. That compensation should be based on your injuries, the repairs to your car, and the amount of wages you lost while you were recovering. The amount of your claim is what you are entitled to receive. Unfortunately, some insurance companies attempt to reduce the amount of your claim in order to profit from your misfortune. They attempt to reduce the amount of your claim in order to pay you less than you are entitled to receive. Don’t let them exploit you by reducing the amount of your claim in order to profit from your misfortune. 

Conclusion 

Getting into an accident is scary, confusing, and frustrating. Unfortunately, some auto insurance companies take advantage of accident victims. There are many ways that auto insurance companies exploit accident victims. When you are dealing with the insurance company after an accident, protect yourself from falling victim to these exploitative practices by asking questions, documenting everything, and standing up for yourself.