Every Home Insurance Claim Adjuster
Every homeowner should be cognizant of the covert strategies employed by home insurance claim adjusters. Insurance firms operate with a profit-driven agenda, prioritising cost-cutting over genuine assistance to their clientele.
These underhanded tactics, though largely unjust, often escape scrutiny, as desperate claimants typically overlook them. Unfortunately, statistics reveal that these manoeuvres significantly bolster the profitability of insurance companies year after year.
By familiarising yourself with these common tactics, you can sidestep manipulation and secure the highest possible settlement for your home insurance claim.
Common Covert Tactics of Home Insurance Claim Adjusters
Secret Tactic 1: Coaxing Admission of Fault
Across the insurance sector, a common ploy is to coax claimants into admitting fault, either in full or partially. Such an admission can drastically diminish the value of your claim.
In property damage scenarios, adjusters frequently insinuate that you:
- Neglected to mitigate the damage, or
- That the damage predated or occurred long after the disaster.
For instance, they may allege that failure to secure your windows led to storm-related flooding or that your appliances were damaged prior to a fire. If unaware of these ploys, you might inadvertently concede fault through seemingly innocuous questions like, “Were your windows locked?”
In some instances, you may encounter ‘gaslighting’—where they manipulate you into believing you are at fault.
It’s understandable that, in moments of vulnerability, these tricks can catch you off guard. Adjusters are adept at phrasing their questions to shift blame subtly. Remember, they are not your allies.
Secret Tactic 2: Deliberate Delays
Expect delays from your insurance adjuster. Drawing from experience, they understand that most people grow weary of waiting, especially when they’re in urgent need of repairs and funds.
They may refrain from returning calls or answering emails, hoping to wear you down into accepting a meagre settlement offer.
Stay firm. Should you experience such delay tactics, you are likely dealing with bad faith, and you can enlist the help of a property damage attorney.
Secret Tactic 3: False Deadlines
Adjusters may try to pressurise you into accepting a subpar offer by imposing fabricated deadlines, warning that you risk losing the offer entirely if you fail to accept it by a certain date.
In reality, this is mere scaremongering. These arbitrary deadlines are meant to coerce you into compliance. The truth is you retain the right to negotiate for a better settlement, regardless of the supposed deadlines.
If you find yourself intimidated by such pressure, reach out to a property damage attorney who can intervene and clarify the situation with the insurer.
Secret Tactic 4: Exploiting Policy Loopholes
Insurance policies are often laden with convoluted language—by design.
Many clients report being told their property damage isn’t covered due to obscure technicalities or policy loopholes.
In most cases, this is simply not true. You’ve paid for this policy, and you deserve coverage.
Secret Tactic 5: Demanding Irrelevant Documentation
Another prevalent tactic involves adjusters asking for extraneous documents—items they know you likely don’t possess.
For instance, you may be asked to produce a bill from a decade-old repair or construction. This is simply another strategy to exhaust you into accepting a lesser offer.
Secret Tactic 6: Undervaluing the Claim
Lowball offers are typically not the result of your overestimating the damages, but rather a reflection of the adjuster’s reluctance to pay more.
The most common form of this tactic is claiming that repairs can be made for far less than their actual cost.
Don’t capitulate. If the settlement doesn’t meet your expectations, an independent inspection or contractor’s quote can prove the true extent of your damages. Property damage attorneys are invaluable in these situations, providing the necessary resources to substantiate the actual costs.
Secret Tactic 7: Discouraging Legal Representation
Insurance companies dread the involvement of attorneys, as they are well aware that lawyers can expose their bad faith tactics.
An adjuster might try to convince you that hiring an attorney is either unnecessary, a violation of the policy, or too expensive. None of these assertions are true.
Engaging an attorney typically results in a more favourable settlement, even after legal fees. Attorneys can staunchly advocate on your behalf, unmasking these manipulative tactics and ensuring you receive the best settlement possible.
Secret Tactic 8: Feigning Compassion
Be wary of any adjuster who seems overly affable. Despite their friendliness, their true allegiance lies with the insurance company.
While respectful and empathetic treatment is appreciated, adjusters may use friendliness to disarm you and later exploit the information you share.
It’s not uncommon for adjusters to be financially incentivised to secure low settlements. To them, you are just another opportunity to cut costs.
Secret Tactic 9: False Promises of Generous Compensation
Adjusters may make grand promises that ultimately conflict with your best interests. Their primary loyalty is always to the insurance company, not to you.
They might, for example, promise to cover specific repair work, only to later claim it’s too extravagant and refuse to pay.
Secret Tactic 10: Gruelling Negotiations
It’s important to remember that you can always negotiate a settlement. However, be prepared for a gruelling process, as adjusters will make it as challenging as possible.
Rarely will they offer your desired figure at the first, or even second, request. Persistence and patience are key.
It’s highly recommended that you enlist the help of a property damage attorney. The mere presence of a reputable lawyer often expedites the negotiation process, resulting in a quicker and fairer settlement.
Contact a Florida Homeowners Insurance Claim Attorney Today – Free Consultations!
If you need to file a property damage claim, negotiate, or confront a manipulative insurance adjuster, our Florida property damage attorneys are here to help.
Attorney Jonathon Douglas, who leads the nationally-ranked property damage claim team at Battaglia Ross Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., has previously represented some of the largest insurance companies in Florida. His insider knowledge allows him to expertly guide you through the complexities of insurance disputes.
Regardless of your situation, reach out today for a free consultation.