How Insurance Companies Try To Trick Ohio Policyholders
When you file an insurance claim, you need to understand that you are not in good hands and that you will not be interacting with a talking lizard or two guys tailgating at a football game. Instead, you will be facing insurance adjusters and lawyers who are only out to protect the insurance company’s bottom line.
At Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima, our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience standing up to insurance companies at all levels. Having served Cincinnati and the surrounding region of southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky for years, we recognize the tactics they use to avoid responsibility or make cheap settlements. We work hard to protect your interests, and we will refuse any offer that is not fair.
Protecting You From The Insurer’s Schemes
Regardless of whether your injuries are covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy or your auto insurance, your insurance company will always look for a loophole or a way to pay the least amount of money under your claim. To that end, your adjuster will often try one of many insurance company tricks, including the following:
- Offer a quick settlement: The insurance adjuster will show concern and express that what is most important is that you receive money as soon as possible to cover your minor or severe injuries. This is not true. What is most important is that you receive comprehensive medical attention until your doctor tells you that you have reached a full recovery. Once you accept a settlement, you are barred from receiving any more money even if your injuries get worse.
- Make you seem like a liar: Another insurance company tactic involves the adjuster stating that you are exaggerating your injuries. The insurance adjuster will almost always hire a doctor to review your medical records and minimize your injuries. This is often called an independent medical examination (IME), even though the examination is not independent – it is a paid doctor hired by the insurance company to reduce your claim.
- Interpret your insurance policy against you: Adjusters or insurance company lawyers will often creatively interpret insurance policies in ways that favor the companies. You should know that any ambiguity or confusion in a policy should be construed in favor of the policyholder in court.
Regardless of how they do it, the insurance company will work against you if you are not properly represented by experienced legal counsel. Remember, you are currently up against a large corporation that is only looking to protect its shareholders. As your dedicated personal injury law firm, you can rest assured that our personal injury attorneys will be here looking out for your interests at all times during a difficult insurance claim issue.
Contact Our Cincinnati Personal Injury Team Today
If you are involved in an insurance claim and would like to avoid falling prey to insurance company tactics, contact our Ohio law firm today to schedule your initial consultation. Call us at 513-496-0134 or send us an email. Our office locations include Lebanon, West Chester, Oxford, Florence and downtown Cincinnati. We are available 24/7.
