After a car crash, filing insurance claims is often necessary. The party not at fault for the collision may need to file a claim against the policy of the driver who caused the crash. In some cases, they may also file supplemental claims against their own policies.
All too often, those in need of insurance coverage end up making mistakes and concessions that leave them without the optimal amount of compensation. For example, they may agree to sit down with an insurance professional or meet electronically to provide a recorded statement. Insurance professionals may try to take advantage of people during the claims process, and a recorded statement may give them evidence to use against the party making the claim.
Why are recorded statements problematic?
In theory, a recorded statement is simply an attempt to establish exactly what happened and how much compensation the claimant requires. People can potentially receive up to the available policy limits in compensation from the insurance company.
In practice, insurance professionals often use recorded statements to manipulate the situation to the benefit of the insurance company. They might try to get the party making the statement to admit fault in an attempt to deny their claim entirely. Other times, they may ask leading questions and get people to implicate themselves. They may then insist that a settlement far below the policy limits is the only option available.
Insurance adjusters may use the repetition of similar questions to get people to contradict themselves or manipulative language to get them to implicate themselves. If the insurance company insists that a recorded statement is necessary, the party making the claim has the right to legal representation.
Having an attorney present throughout the recorded statement can make it harder for insurance adjusters to pressure or manipulate the party making the statement. Attorneys may recognize attempts at manipulation and can push back against inappropriate questions. They can help their clients avoid implicating themselves and may assist them in achieving the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Trusting an insurance company to be generous and considerate after a car crash can be a major mistake. Most insurance companies care more about profits than people, which is why those making claims may need an advocate in their corner to better ensure that they secure proper compensation.
