If you receive a lowball settlement offer it can be frustrating and unfair. Lowballing implies that the insurance company is offering you an amount that is less than the cost of your expenses or less than you deserve. The first and most important action to take is to hire a skilled lawyer to assist in negotiations. If you are dealing with an insurance company, contact a San Mateo County, California motor vehicle accident lawyer to acquire the help of an experienced attorney.
How Will I Know That They Are Lowballing Me?
It can be difficult to tell if the insurance company is lowballing you or if they offered you all the money they can. Working with an attorney can greatly help your case. Lawyers will be better equipped to spot signs of lowballing, but some signs to look out for include:
- They are trying to settle too quickly
- The faster the offer the better right? Not necessarily. For an insurer to have the full scope of your expenses they need time to examine documents and make an accurate calculation. If they are rushing the settlement they are likely trying to get you to settle before you have time to realize the full extent of how you have been affected by the accident.
- They are pressuring you to accept the offer
- If an insurance company is pressuring you to sign on the dotted line, it is probably for a reason. They don’t want you to have the time to think it over or contact an attorney. The average person will not have the knowledge or experience to negotiate, so the insurer will want you to settle fast.
- They are ignoring/dismissing important information
- An insurance company may try to blame you so they can pay you less. Submitting evidence is important to show them that the other party is at fault and you deserve the full extent of your expenses to be covered. Include medical documents, bills, police reports, photos, witness statements, etc.
- They are refusing to explain their calculations
- You have the right to inquire about how the calculation was made. If they decline or can’t give you a straight answer, they are likely lowballing you.
Why Is the Insurance Company Trying to Lowball Me?
It is in the nature of insurance companies to try to create the biggest profits possible. It isn’t necessarily fair or right, but sometimes insurance companies will make offers in bad faith, knowing that the person deserves better to meet their own financial goals.
They could have deemed you responsible for the accident and are therefore limiting the coverage they’re willing to give you. If this is true consult a lawyer to ensure all relevant evidence has been evaluated.
It is possible that there was a miscalculation. Insurance companies use formulas to estimate compensation, including figures from your medical expenses and property damage, along with evaluations of your pain and suffering. If they are missing documents or not aware of the extent of your expenses it could affect the number they offer you.
