Monday, June 22, 2015
Auto Insurance Tips And Strategies That Work
Make sure you stay abreast of the latest updates about auto insurance. You want to learn as much as you can so you can properly make the right decisions to ensure you are getting the right coverage for you. These tips should help you make better decisions when you are dealing with car insurance.
Get quotes from a variety of insurance companies before purchasing a policy. Every insurance company has their own way of calculating your risk level and premium rates. If you compare the rates of competing insurance companies, you will find the best offer and save considerable money.
Many states make you have liability insurance if you drive. You need to be aware of the regulations regarding minimum insurance coverage in your state. If you're not insured or are under-insured and have an accident, you could suffer through a serious financial outcome. In addition, you could be charged with breaking the law.
Your insurance coverage should never be permitted to run out, even when you are switching between plans. This will keep your insurance costs lower. It is easy to let your insurance coverage lapse when you are transitioning to a new insurance carrier. If a company finds these lapses, they will raise your rates.
They type of vehicle you buy will play a huge role in the price you pay for your insurance policy. Depending on your taste in vehicles, from a luxury model hybrid to a beat up gas guzzler, your insurance premium will reflect that taste. The most cost effective choice is to find a simple, yet safe, vehicle that you like.
In addition to coverage that is legally mandated, there are other types of insurance protection you may choose to add to your insurance portfolio. This type of extra coverage may raise your premium, but may also save you money in the long run. One important coverage to carry is coverage that protects you from uninsured motorists.
Do not try to keep a lid on your premiums by juggling cars and family members. By keeping one driver attached to each vehicle, you can keep your costs low.
Buying extras for you car is something that you shouldn't be doing. You should pay attention to the features that matter to the running of a car, not luxury options like heated seats. If your car is totaled or stolen, your insurance will not reimburse you for the damage done to it.
When purchasing auto insurance, be sure to include property damage liability. That will ensure that damage caused by your car in an accident is covered. All but three states actually make this a requirement. If you get in a car accident, you will save money on replacing a vehicle or parts if you have damage liability.
Hopefully with this article, you have learned some knowledge that you can apply to your auto insurance decisions. You will grow to make wiser and better choices as you learn the complexities of vehicular insurance. Share these tips with those you care about.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Tips To Say Good Bye To High Premiums
Car insurance does not only cover your car. It's also designed to protect you and other people that are out there driving. Before you buy a new auto insurance policy, make sure it has all the coverage details you need. Use the tips in this article to learn how to get all that you can from your auto insurance.
To save extra money with your monthly insurance premium, drive fewer miles each year. Less time behind the wheel can mean a lower premium for you.
If you are thinking about buying aftermarket parts for your vehicle, speak with your insurance company to find out exactly what and how much they pay if your car was in an accident or stolen. Often, the company will only cover the value added to the entire car, not the actual cost of the additions.
Make sure to research insurance costs when you are purchasing a car. Insurance agents will be able to advise you on what type of car has low insurance rates. If you're in the market for a new or previously owned vehicle, insurance rate info could be a big factor in your choice. Your insurance premiums will be a lot lower if you make sure your new car is one with an excellent safety rating.
Spend some time with your agent reviewing the specifics of your coverage before you add expensive personalization to your car. Expensive additions to your vehicle will increase your personal value for the car, yet may not increase the appraised value much, if at all.
The make and model of the vehicle you buy will play a significant role in the amount your auto insurance will cost. If you have high-class taste and want an expensive luxurious car, this will affect your insurance costs. To get the most for your money, go with something a little more reserved and safe.
Carpooling or taking public transit can save you money on your auto insurance. Insurance companies pay attention when policyholders act in a responsible manner, and driving less reduces their risk, so they will lower your premiums. By telling your agent about the times you've been carpooling, he can then consider incorporating a discount to lower your premium.
Property damage liability coverage is an important feature of your car insurance policy that you must get. Any damage to property made by you in an accident is covered by this level of insurance. In most of the United States, property damage liability is required by law. This sort of insurance will protect you if you are involved in a crash.
You should trade in your car for a model that is less sporty. It costs more money to insure a sports car. Choose a smaller car with a less flashy profile. In fact, cars that have larger motors are more expensive to insure. Nice sports cars also happen to be a greater target for theft, and your insurance premiums will reflect it.
Use the information in this article to decide if you have the best policy. You may find that things were not as you thought they were, and you may benefit by rewriting your policy to get the proper amount of coverage to protect you and the other drivers on the road.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Before Purchasing Auto Insurance Read These Handy Tips
Many people believe that auto insurance is hard to understand. But a little research can help you sort out the complexities of car insurance.
Reduce the number of miles you put on your car annually in order to enjoy lower auto insurance premiums. The majority of car insurance companies offer a discount for drivers who log less miles.
You must understand the various coverage types when buying car insurance. Even if you are just insuring one vehicle, many factors going into figuring the final cost of the policy. One kind of coverage that is almost universally required is bodily injury liability. This coverage pays for legal fees, injuries, or deaths resulting from accidents that you cause.
When shopping for vehicle insurance coverage for your teen, ask your agent to give you a quote, both as a separate policy and also as an addition to your existing policy. Sometimes it is better to simply purchase a separate policy for the second car and your teenaged child.
Do not switch cars between family members to keep your premiums low. Making sure each car only has one driver will result in a better price for your insurance.
Property damage liability is a very important thing to include in your auto insurance policy. This portion of liability coverage will pay for any damages caused to other property in the event you have a car accident. Most states require this liability. However, in the event of an accident occurring, property damage liability could prevent you from having a very large bill.
Price isn't everything when deciding on an insurance plan. Cheap may be exactly what you get! Research the company first and examine the policy closely for any hidden details, before purchasing a policy.
Car insurance rates can actually change based on location. Insurance rates can vary among geographic areas, and are affected by local crime rates. Suburbs and rural areas tend to have lower insurance rates than major metropolitan areas.
You can save a lot of money with the right coverage if something happens. Determining the right deductible is one thing to think about. The deductible is the amount that will be paid out-of-pocket by the driver in case of an accident, and setting a higher deductible is one way to save money on the annual premiums.
Ask your auto insurance agent for a list of discounts offered by his company. Read the discounts options carefully, and mark each that could apply to your situation.
Keep your current insurance policy until you know are willing to make the change to the next one, and you have been underwritten for the new policy. You want to make sure that you are insured at all times simply because accidents can always happen. Do not risk going without insurance even for a couple of days.
Most people will be able to use these tips. Use these tips when you are considering purchasing auto insurance. Using this article as a guide, you can get the insurance coverage you need at a price you can afford.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
How To Get The Most From Your Auto Insurance
Every driver needs to have insurance. Do you know how to find out the kind and amount of insurance you need? There are lots of choices, so it is difficult to get the right policy. This process does not have to be so hard. Learn all you need to know about your auto insurance needs by reading the following tips.
Lowering your yearly mileage can help you lower your monthly auto insurance payments. A lot of insurance companies lower your premium when you drive less.
You need to understand what kind of coverage you need for car insurance. There are a variety of considerations involved in calculating the final cost of vehicle insurance. The legal costs associated with things such as serious injury or death in an accident you cause are covered by bodily injury liability policies.
Most states have laws that require you to carry appropriate auto liability insurance when you drive. As a citizen, it is your responsibility to be aware of your state's auto insurance requirements, and to maintain a policy that meets or exceeds the minimum levels of coverage mandated by your state. If you are in an uninsured accident, you will face both legal and financial difficulty.
You can lower your insurance rates by driving your car less. Insurance companies appreciate their customers being responsible and driving less miles is one way to show them. By telling your agent you take public transportation, you could be in line for a discount that will reduce your premium.
Always get more than one quote, and get quotes from more than two sources when you are shopping around for auto coverage. It is quite surprising just how much variance there is when it comes to this product. Check back with those companies every year to see if you could save more money. Do not just pay attention to the price quotes; pay close attention to the levels of coverage as well.
Comparison shopping for vehicle insurance is not only about which has the lowest total annual cost. There are many factors that go into the premium pricing and you'll want to check through all the details, such as the amount of deductible you'll be responsible for, the amount of coverage you'll be receiving and what the maximum amounts are for your benefits.
Don't purchase a separate car for your teenager. Try to share your car with your teenagers. If you add them to your insurance policy, it will cost less. If your teenager is on honor roll, it might be good enough for a discount.
In the unfortunate case of an accident that you have to file an insurance claim for, remember that your insurance company loves documentation. You can help them by using your cell phone to take pictures of any damage and the location of your accident. If you don't have a cell phone with a camera built in, consider leaving a disposable camera in your emergency kit or glove box of your car. This will also assist you if you forget your phone, there are no witnesses, or your phone is damaged in the accident.
These are just a few of the many ways that you can understand more about choosing auto insurance. It will become less intimidating to you, the more you understand about how it works. When you understand it better, you will be in a better position in choosing what is right for you.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Questions The Insurance Adjustors Don't Want You To Ask
I have been representing accident victims against insurance
companies for the past 15 years. My office has handled
hundreds, if not a few thousand, accident cases during this
time. By representing hundreds and hundreds of accident
victims over the years, you begin to see how the insurance
industry deals with victims after they begin the claim
process following the accident.
I have found that most insurance adjustors are highly
trained adversaries, although most people would never think
this, at least not in the beginning of the claims process.
Now, most people understand that the insurance company's
job is to make money and that one way it does this is by
settling claims for less than the claim is worth. Yet,
most people are unaware of how sophisticated, yet simple,
the methods the carrier will utilize to help it accomplish
this goal.
Here are some questions that often will make the insurance
company squirm. No, the carrier doesn't like it when you
ask these questions because it either cannot answer the
question or worse, the answer is one they do not like to
hear.
QUESTION 1: Isn't it true that if I use an attorney, I'm
likely to recover more money in settlement than if I try to
settle the claim on my own?
ANSWER: Don't be surprised if the adjustor lies to you and
says "no" to this important question. How do I know that
answer is false? Because a study by the Insurance Research
Council (a nonprofit group funded by major insurance
companies across the nation) and titled "Paying for Auto
Injuries" found that the average total payout on claims
that have an attorney is 4.8 times greater than those
claims where the injured victim settled on his or her own.
This same study showed that individuals who use an attorney
receive 3.28 times more money after the attorney's fee is
paid. Most insurance claims adjustors are very aware of
this study. So, if the insurance company wants to maximize
profits it will train its claims representatives to go to
great efforts to dissuade people from hiring an attorney.
Simply put, the insurance companies know that if you hire
counsel you will likely get more money in settlement, even
after deducting the lawyer's fee.
QUESTION 2: How can the insurance company verify that the
settlement amount being offered to me is fair and
reasonable?
ANSWER: It can't and it won't! Sure, the adjustor will
tell you that settlement offer is reasonable and fair but
he can't verify or prove it to you that everyone with
similar injuries never receives more. Unless you are in
the business of negotiating and settling injury claims
there is little chance you will know whether the settlement
amount that is being offered is fair. Therefore, by
negotiating and settling the claim yourself without using
the assistance of a professional (i.e., personal injury
attorney) you run the risk of accepting a sum that may turn
out to be much less than what is considered reasonable for
your type of claim.
QUESTION 3: Why do I have to give you a recorded statement
when you can get information about the accident from the
police report?
ANSWER: Because the insurance company will try to use your
own statements against you! In most accidents a police
report will be filed and the insurance company has easy
access to this report (it just takes a written request and
a small fee). So why is a recorded statement necessary?
Most companies have written policies in place which require
the adjustor to get a recorded statement to see if there's
any information the accident victim might reveal which
could be later used to either deny the claim or pay out
less money when settlement occurs.
QUESTION 4: If I give you a recorded statement, can I then
get a recorded statement from your own insured, i.e., the
other driver?
ANSWER: No! This will never happen. It seems fair though
doesn't it? If you have to give a statement about the
accident, then why can't you also get a statement from the
other driver? Yet, the insurance adjustor will never allow
this for the same reasons you should never give a recorded
statement to the insurance company.
QUESTION 5: Why do I have to give you an unrestricted
medical authorization before I can settle the claim?
ANSWER: So the adjustor can go fishing into your past
medical history and find anything about your prior health
which will help the company either deny your claim or pay
out as little as possible. You can just as easily collect
your accident-related records and send them to the carrier
for its review at time of settlement. But usually if you
are not represented by counsel the carrier will never
accept this. By using an attorney, the attorney can
usually put limits on how much medical information needs to
be disclosed.
QUESTION 6: Shouldn't I wait to settle the claim until my
medical treatment concludes, or until I'm sure that I have
made a full recovery?
ANSWER: No, because the insurance company knows that the
quicker you settle the claim the less money it will have to
pay out. Once you settle the claim you can't reopen the
case if it turns out your injuries are more severe or if
you need more treatment as recommended by your doctor.
Most insurance companies have in place written directives
to its claims department to settle every claim as quickly
as possible so the accident victim can't re-open the case
later if the person's condition gets worse.
QUESTION 7: Why hasn't anyone told me about Uninsured
Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage?
ANSWER: Probably because too few people know that they may
have additional coverage under their own policies which
will pay for the injuries and damages caused by a car
accident. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, or not
enough insurance to pay for your damages, then your own
insurance company is responsible for paying you additional
compensation under the UM/UIM portion of your policy. Many
insurance companies obviously don't want you to know about
this coverage because it may mean that you are entitled to
more compensation!
QUESTION 8: If you are claiming that my medical treatment
is excessive or unreasonable, will you pay my doctor to
write a detailed report explaining why my treatment has
been appropriate and related to the accident?
ANSWER: Of course not! The insurance company will always
refuse this request. And why should it? Although the
claims adjustor has absolutely no medical training, nothing
stops him or her from arguing that your treatment was
excessive or unreasonable. This is just one way how the
carrier will say anything to whittle down the value of your
claim so you accept a much smaller settlement than what
you're otherwise entitled to. An experienced personal
injury attorney on your side will solve this problem!
----------------------------------------------------
Christopher M. Davis is the managing partner of Davis Law
Group. He brings over 15 years of practical yet innovative
experience to personal injury cases. He practices law in
Seattle, WA. You can learn more about Mr. Davis at
http://www.InjuryTrialLawyer.com . Copyright 2007
Christopher M. Davis.
companies for the past 15 years. My office has handled
hundreds, if not a few thousand, accident cases during this
time. By representing hundreds and hundreds of accident
victims over the years, you begin to see how the insurance
industry deals with victims after they begin the claim
process following the accident.
I have found that most insurance adjustors are highly
trained adversaries, although most people would never think
this, at least not in the beginning of the claims process.
Now, most people understand that the insurance company's
job is to make money and that one way it does this is by
settling claims for less than the claim is worth. Yet,
most people are unaware of how sophisticated, yet simple,
the methods the carrier will utilize to help it accomplish
this goal.
Here are some questions that often will make the insurance
company squirm. No, the carrier doesn't like it when you
ask these questions because it either cannot answer the
question or worse, the answer is one they do not like to
hear.
QUESTION 1: Isn't it true that if I use an attorney, I'm
likely to recover more money in settlement than if I try to
settle the claim on my own?
ANSWER: Don't be surprised if the adjustor lies to you and
says "no" to this important question. How do I know that
answer is false? Because a study by the Insurance Research
Council (a nonprofit group funded by major insurance
companies across the nation) and titled "Paying for Auto
Injuries" found that the average total payout on claims
that have an attorney is 4.8 times greater than those
claims where the injured victim settled on his or her own.
This same study showed that individuals who use an attorney
receive 3.28 times more money after the attorney's fee is
paid. Most insurance claims adjustors are very aware of
this study. So, if the insurance company wants to maximize
profits it will train its claims representatives to go to
great efforts to dissuade people from hiring an attorney.
Simply put, the insurance companies know that if you hire
counsel you will likely get more money in settlement, even
after deducting the lawyer's fee.
QUESTION 2: How can the insurance company verify that the
settlement amount being offered to me is fair and
reasonable?
ANSWER: It can't and it won't! Sure, the adjustor will
tell you that settlement offer is reasonable and fair but
he can't verify or prove it to you that everyone with
similar injuries never receives more. Unless you are in
the business of negotiating and settling injury claims
there is little chance you will know whether the settlement
amount that is being offered is fair. Therefore, by
negotiating and settling the claim yourself without using
the assistance of a professional (i.e., personal injury
attorney) you run the risk of accepting a sum that may turn
out to be much less than what is considered reasonable for
your type of claim.
QUESTION 3: Why do I have to give you a recorded statement
when you can get information about the accident from the
police report?
ANSWER: Because the insurance company will try to use your
own statements against you! In most accidents a police
report will be filed and the insurance company has easy
access to this report (it just takes a written request and
a small fee). So why is a recorded statement necessary?
Most companies have written policies in place which require
the adjustor to get a recorded statement to see if there's
any information the accident victim might reveal which
could be later used to either deny the claim or pay out
less money when settlement occurs.
QUESTION 4: If I give you a recorded statement, can I then
get a recorded statement from your own insured, i.e., the
other driver?
ANSWER: No! This will never happen. It seems fair though
doesn't it? If you have to give a statement about the
accident, then why can't you also get a statement from the
other driver? Yet, the insurance adjustor will never allow
this for the same reasons you should never give a recorded
statement to the insurance company.
QUESTION 5: Why do I have to give you an unrestricted
medical authorization before I can settle the claim?
ANSWER: So the adjustor can go fishing into your past
medical history and find anything about your prior health
which will help the company either deny your claim or pay
out as little as possible. You can just as easily collect
your accident-related records and send them to the carrier
for its review at time of settlement. But usually if you
are not represented by counsel the carrier will never
accept this. By using an attorney, the attorney can
usually put limits on how much medical information needs to
be disclosed.
QUESTION 6: Shouldn't I wait to settle the claim until my
medical treatment concludes, or until I'm sure that I have
made a full recovery?
ANSWER: No, because the insurance company knows that the
quicker you settle the claim the less money it will have to
pay out. Once you settle the claim you can't reopen the
case if it turns out your injuries are more severe or if
you need more treatment as recommended by your doctor.
Most insurance companies have in place written directives
to its claims department to settle every claim as quickly
as possible so the accident victim can't re-open the case
later if the person's condition gets worse.
QUESTION 7: Why hasn't anyone told me about Uninsured
Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage?
ANSWER: Probably because too few people know that they may
have additional coverage under their own policies which
will pay for the injuries and damages caused by a car
accident. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, or not
enough insurance to pay for your damages, then your own
insurance company is responsible for paying you additional
compensation under the UM/UIM portion of your policy. Many
insurance companies obviously don't want you to know about
this coverage because it may mean that you are entitled to
more compensation!
QUESTION 8: If you are claiming that my medical treatment
is excessive or unreasonable, will you pay my doctor to
write a detailed report explaining why my treatment has
been appropriate and related to the accident?
ANSWER: Of course not! The insurance company will always
refuse this request. And why should it? Although the
claims adjustor has absolutely no medical training, nothing
stops him or her from arguing that your treatment was
excessive or unreasonable. This is just one way how the
carrier will say anything to whittle down the value of your
claim so you accept a much smaller settlement than what
you're otherwise entitled to. An experienced personal
injury attorney on your side will solve this problem!
----------------------------------------------------
Christopher M. Davis is the managing partner of Davis Law
Group. He brings over 15 years of practical yet innovative
experience to personal injury cases. He practices law in
Seattle, WA. You can learn more about Mr. Davis at
http://www.InjuryTrialLawyer.com . Copyright 2007
Christopher M. Davis.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Insurance Industry Settlement Tactics: Navigate The Injury Accident Claim War Zone On Your Own You Unknowingly Have Entered A War Zone
Insurance Industry Settlement Tactics: Navigate The Injury
Accident Claim War Zone On Your Own You
Unknowingly Have Entered A War Zone
Did you know that the day you were injured you entered a
war zone with the insurance industry? Over the past 30+
years, the insurance industry has spent billions of dollars
on advertising to spread false and misleading information
about accident claims. The industry wants people to believe
that the justice system is out of control and that people
who file lawsuits are getting millions of dollars for minor
injuries. Such propaganda has created the false perception
among the public that the system needs fixing.
Unfortunately, this "misinformation" spread by the
insurance industry has had an enormous negative influence
on juries and their verdicts.
Juries today are highly skeptical of people who file
lawsuits that claim money for "pain and suffering." Many
people who wind up on juries believe the myths touted by
the insurance industry. This can be a huge obstacle to
achieving justice in your case, even when the injuries are
severe and negligence has been established. Lawyers who
handle these cases have learned over the past few years
that it is much more difficult to achieve justice for their
clients.
You need to be aware that the insurance claims adjustor
will utilize any means necessary to pay out as little as
possible, even on legitimate claims that involve serious
injuries. Insurance adjustors receive extensive training on
how to save the company money, and not necessarily on how
to examine a claim and pay a fair settlement. Many
insurance companies reward their adjustors with bonuses or
promotions based on how much money that person saves the
company rather than how many claims are settled. The claims
adjustor accomplishes this in several ways:
**Using Delay. The adjustor is a master of using delay
tactics to wear people down. He knows that many people will
at some point throw up their hands and say "Enough!" while
finally accepting the company's last offer just to be done
with the whole process.
**Requesting Unnecessary Information. Another method is
when the adjustor makes repeated requests for
"documentation" even if the information will have little or
no bearing on the amount that will be offered in
settlement. Repeated requests for unnecessary documentation
can easily frustrate people and wear them down so they're
more likely to accept a lower settlement offer.
**Disputing the Medical Treatment. One way the adjustor
will minimize your claim is to dispute or question your
need for medical treatment, despite having no medical
training! (even if the treatment is prescribed by your own
doctor!). Many times it does not matter to the adjustor
that your treatment has been recommended by a reputable
licensed physician.
**"Nickel & Dime" the Medical Charges. Often times the
adjustor will only agree to "accept" 70, 80 or 90% of your
past medical charges, while having no medical background to
support such a position. By "nickel and diming" the
consumer, the well-trained adjustor knows that most people
will not hire a lawyer to challenge a small portion of the
medical bills.
**Tell You Not to Hire an Attorney. Other times the
insurance company will dissuade you from hiring an
experienced attorney and falsely tell you that any money
you receive will go only to the attorney. Still other times
the adjustor may threaten to "deny" or "lowball" the claim
if you hire a lawyer.
**Misrepresenting Insurance Policy Benefits. Sometimes the
adjustor will misrepresent the amount of insurance coverage
that is available to you. Or worse, the adjustor doesn't
even tell you that the insurance coverage or certain types
of benefits even exist. This tactic may also be used to
entice you into accepting a smaller settlement than what
would otherwise be warranted.
**Acting as Your Friend. There are times when the claims
adjustor will "befriend" you and make it appear that she is
watching out for your interests when in fact she is not.
Sometimes the adjustor will give you advice about the type
or frequency of your medical treatment, and then decide
later on not to pay for the treatment because it is
"excessive."
**Making False Promises. There are times when the adjustor
will make promises to you that he or she knows can't be
met. For example, this author had a client who was promised
that the insurance company would continue to pay her
medical bills every month until she recovered. This went on
for four months until the adjustor decided that four months
of treatment was enough. The problem was that the client
didn't find out about the insurance company's decision to
stop paying until she had racked up many more months of
medical bills!
These are just a few of the tactics that the insurance
industry uses to badger and wear down injured victims so
that less money is paid out. And to a large extent, the
industry has been successful. The strong backlash created
by the insurance industry against our justice system is a
very strong movement in many parts of our country. The
movement has a name, it is called Tort Reform. The success
of the Tort Reform movement has emboldened the insurance
industry to withhold fair settlements until you convince
them that you are ready, willing and able to go to trial.
But do not be discouraged. You CAN achieve fair
compensation for your injuries and beat the insurance
industry at their own game. But it may take time and effort.
----------------------------------------------------
Mr. Davis is the founder and CEO of the Davis Law Group.
He brings over 15 years of practical yet innovative
experience to personal injury cases. He practices law in
Seattle, WA. http://www.InjuryTrialLawyer.com . Mr. Davis
is the author of "The Ten Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck
Your Washington Accident Case" comlimentary copies are
availalbe at http://www.washingtonaccidentbook.com .
Copyright 2007 Christopher M. Davis
Accident Claim War Zone On Your Own You
Unknowingly Have Entered A War Zone
Did you know that the day you were injured you entered a
war zone with the insurance industry? Over the past 30+
years, the insurance industry has spent billions of dollars
on advertising to spread false and misleading information
about accident claims. The industry wants people to believe
that the justice system is out of control and that people
who file lawsuits are getting millions of dollars for minor
injuries. Such propaganda has created the false perception
among the public that the system needs fixing.
Unfortunately, this "misinformation" spread by the
insurance industry has had an enormous negative influence
on juries and their verdicts.
Juries today are highly skeptical of people who file
lawsuits that claim money for "pain and suffering." Many
people who wind up on juries believe the myths touted by
the insurance industry. This can be a huge obstacle to
achieving justice in your case, even when the injuries are
severe and negligence has been established. Lawyers who
handle these cases have learned over the past few years
that it is much more difficult to achieve justice for their
clients.
You need to be aware that the insurance claims adjustor
will utilize any means necessary to pay out as little as
possible, even on legitimate claims that involve serious
injuries. Insurance adjustors receive extensive training on
how to save the company money, and not necessarily on how
to examine a claim and pay a fair settlement. Many
insurance companies reward their adjustors with bonuses or
promotions based on how much money that person saves the
company rather than how many claims are settled. The claims
adjustor accomplishes this in several ways:
**Using Delay. The adjustor is a master of using delay
tactics to wear people down. He knows that many people will
at some point throw up their hands and say "Enough!" while
finally accepting the company's last offer just to be done
with the whole process.
**Requesting Unnecessary Information. Another method is
when the adjustor makes repeated requests for
"documentation" even if the information will have little or
no bearing on the amount that will be offered in
settlement. Repeated requests for unnecessary documentation
can easily frustrate people and wear them down so they're
more likely to accept a lower settlement offer.
**Disputing the Medical Treatment. One way the adjustor
will minimize your claim is to dispute or question your
need for medical treatment, despite having no medical
training! (even if the treatment is prescribed by your own
doctor!). Many times it does not matter to the adjustor
that your treatment has been recommended by a reputable
licensed physician.
**"Nickel & Dime" the Medical Charges. Often times the
adjustor will only agree to "accept" 70, 80 or 90% of your
past medical charges, while having no medical background to
support such a position. By "nickel and diming" the
consumer, the well-trained adjustor knows that most people
will not hire a lawyer to challenge a small portion of the
medical bills.
**Tell You Not to Hire an Attorney. Other times the
insurance company will dissuade you from hiring an
experienced attorney and falsely tell you that any money
you receive will go only to the attorney. Still other times
the adjustor may threaten to "deny" or "lowball" the claim
if you hire a lawyer.
**Misrepresenting Insurance Policy Benefits. Sometimes the
adjustor will misrepresent the amount of insurance coverage
that is available to you. Or worse, the adjustor doesn't
even tell you that the insurance coverage or certain types
of benefits even exist. This tactic may also be used to
entice you into accepting a smaller settlement than what
would otherwise be warranted.
**Acting as Your Friend. There are times when the claims
adjustor will "befriend" you and make it appear that she is
watching out for your interests when in fact she is not.
Sometimes the adjustor will give you advice about the type
or frequency of your medical treatment, and then decide
later on not to pay for the treatment because it is
"excessive."
**Making False Promises. There are times when the adjustor
will make promises to you that he or she knows can't be
met. For example, this author had a client who was promised
that the insurance company would continue to pay her
medical bills every month until she recovered. This went on
for four months until the adjustor decided that four months
of treatment was enough. The problem was that the client
didn't find out about the insurance company's decision to
stop paying until she had racked up many more months of
medical bills!
These are just a few of the tactics that the insurance
industry uses to badger and wear down injured victims so
that less money is paid out. And to a large extent, the
industry has been successful. The strong backlash created
by the insurance industry against our justice system is a
very strong movement in many parts of our country. The
movement has a name, it is called Tort Reform. The success
of the Tort Reform movement has emboldened the insurance
industry to withhold fair settlements until you convince
them that you are ready, willing and able to go to trial.
But do not be discouraged. You CAN achieve fair
compensation for your injuries and beat the insurance
industry at their own game. But it may take time and effort.
----------------------------------------------------
Mr. Davis is the founder and CEO of the Davis Law Group.
He brings over 15 years of practical yet innovative
experience to personal injury cases. He practices law in
Seattle, WA. http://www.InjuryTrialLawyer.com . Mr. Davis
is the author of "The Ten Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck
Your Washington Accident Case" comlimentary copies are
availalbe at http://www.washingtonaccidentbook.com .
Copyright 2007 Christopher M. Davis
Sunday, July 22, 2007
How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in Indianapolis, Indiana
By Deborah Mills
In Indianapolis, Indiana drivers should be aware of the fact the state government’s Department of Insurance doesn’t set car insurance rates. This may seem like it’s a precursor to companies charging more than is necessary, but it actually has an opposite affect. Motorists in Indianapolis who are looking for car insurance may actually enjoy the benefits of the competition going on between the different insurance companies.
There are naturally other ways to go about finding cheap car insurance in Indianapolis, Indiana and the first place to look may surprise you. If you are already paying premiums for a life, health or home policy, ask that insurance company if they handle car insurance as well. They may offer a discount on the second policy you secure with them. In fact, many companies offer a discount on every type of insurance policy you purchase from their company. It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask if this is an option. If you do decide to go this route, ensure that you carefully consider the financial consequences of switching to any other companies for any of the types of insurance in the future.
Another great way to get a cheaper car insurance rate is to ask about any discounts for low mileage. Some people only use their vehicles once in a while. This means that the majority of the time the car or truck is sitting on their property. Many insurance companies offer cheaper rates to individuals who fit this mold. There is generally a requirement of having to validate the mileage by signing a form attesting to it each year when the car insurance is renewed. Obviously you don’t want to cheat on this if you are driving more than is permitted, but if you are an occasional driver, use this discount to its full advantage so you can get cheap car insurance in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Recommended sites for low rate insurance
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Indianapolis, Indiana
Combined Home and Auto Insurance Quotes
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deborah_Mills
In Indianapolis, Indiana drivers should be aware of the fact the state government’s Department of Insurance doesn’t set car insurance rates. This may seem like it’s a precursor to companies charging more than is necessary, but it actually has an opposite affect. Motorists in Indianapolis who are looking for car insurance may actually enjoy the benefits of the competition going on between the different insurance companies.
There are naturally other ways to go about finding cheap car insurance in Indianapolis, Indiana and the first place to look may surprise you. If you are already paying premiums for a life, health or home policy, ask that insurance company if they handle car insurance as well. They may offer a discount on the second policy you secure with them. In fact, many companies offer a discount on every type of insurance policy you purchase from their company. It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask if this is an option. If you do decide to go this route, ensure that you carefully consider the financial consequences of switching to any other companies for any of the types of insurance in the future.
Another great way to get a cheaper car insurance rate is to ask about any discounts for low mileage. Some people only use their vehicles once in a while. This means that the majority of the time the car or truck is sitting on their property. Many insurance companies offer cheaper rates to individuals who fit this mold. There is generally a requirement of having to validate the mileage by signing a form attesting to it each year when the car insurance is renewed. Obviously you don’t want to cheat on this if you are driving more than is permitted, but if you are an occasional driver, use this discount to its full advantage so you can get cheap car insurance in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Recommended sites for low rate insurance
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Indianapolis, Indiana
Combined Home and Auto Insurance Quotes
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deborah_Mills
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