Myths about Insurance Claims
Exposed below are a number of myths about the insurance claims business that I have heard over the years:
- If you write the insurance company a “reasonable” letter asking for a “reasonable” amount of money, you will get a “reasonable” settlement proposal. After all, insurance companies are generally “reasonable”, right?
- If you are involved in a car wreck and the insurance company asks for a recorded statement, you must give them a recorded statement or they will not settle with you. (One insurer had the audacity to say as much in writing, threatening a potential client that if a statement was not given, coverage would not be provided - which is an outright lie) (BEWARE: most insurance policies do, however, require their own insured to give a recorded statement)
- If you are involved in a car wreck and the insurance company asks for you to sign an authorization to obtain your medical records, you must sign it or they will not settle with you.
- Your own insurance company has your best interests at heart and will help you with your personal injury claim or property damage claim. (Many insurers have been sued successfully for bad faith for failing to pay, or even advise, their own policyholders of diminished value claims and for systematically using inferior repair parts)
- You need to get three estimates for the insurance company if your car is wrecked and you want to get it repaired
- All lawyers who claim to “handle” accident cases have the same ability and experience to handle your case
- The insurance company for the person who caused the wreck and injured you is obligated to pay your medical bills and lost wages as they come due. (FACT: 40% of the rear end car wrecks tried to a jury in Georgia result in a verdict for the defendant and the injured claimant receives nothing.)
- Just because there has been an accident and it was not your fault, there must be some insurance company that will pay your bills, lost wages and injuries.
- If a lawyer refers you to a doctor or chiropractor, that is a good idea.
- Juries in Georgia are generous
- It is a good idea to take out an advance on your case from any number of predatory lending companies to help you with bills when you are out of work due to your injuries (I can’t tell you all the horror stories I have heard, but here is one: A woman “borrows” $3,000.00 and 2 years later when her lawyer is trying to get her case resolved before trial, the vultures wanted $12,000.00 due to the compounded monthly interest charged, plus fees - - - Outrageous!).
