Expert: Doctor Settlement - 10/30/2008

Question
I was injured in an auto accident. The at-faulty driver insurance has already paid 100% of my property damage including the totaled car. I demand the compensation $15,000 in my bodily injury claim but the at-faulty driver insurance offers only $5,000. How shall I respond the adjuster if the offer is lower than my demanding? Thank you for your answer.

Answer
Hi Rendy,

The offer is always going to be less than you have demanded, and of course sometimes it is going to be less than you are willing to accept.  The first thing in my opinion is to make two mental adjustments BEFORE you do any response.

First is not to take it as a personal affront and get all huffy and sarcastic or threatening in your response.  Assume a business-like approach.  The adjuster has a ton of work to do, and you are not going to move to the head of the line by telling her what a jerk she is and/or how you are going to write to the president of the company and/or turn her in to the insurance commissioner as well.  

Second is to take the humble approach that you failed in YOUR duty to provide sufficient information for her to make a reasonable offer.  That message carries three pieces of information to the adjuster.  

First off, it shows that you are not going to be drawn into a bitter war of accusations, but instead you wish to achieve a settlement on a professional basis.  Second, it furnishes a promise that you value information as the best way to convince her, and that you will take necessary action to get it to the adjuster.  Third, it conveys that her offer was NOT reasonable without your having to attack the offer directly.  

We teach our members at SettlementCentral.Com to make a response letter with some additional information.  Always deal in information: THAT IS, make the adjuster know that you believe she would be fair if she simply had more information.

The best additional information would be in the form of an updated doctor’s record.  Next would be a witness statement on your damages.  Last choice is where you simply write new information in your letter.  Go to the “search” function on my website to find information on witness statements.

Learn about how to communicate with the insurance adjuster: FINAL TOPIC—COMMUNICATE IN WRITING AND "DEMAND" NOT "ASK"

FINAL TOPIC, Rendy: Effective communication with insurance claims adjusters.  Establish Firm, Professional, and Positive Relationships With the Insurance Injury Claims Adjuster http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0059.htm

Always communicate with the adjuster in writing, showing your own analysis of value. It is OK I guess to have one call or so, but no more.   Always have your information and ammunition in writing to give to the adjuster.

Let her know that you are FIRM IN YOUR RESOLVE to get what you are demanding (NOT "asking", since that invites a counter-offer, but instead "demanding" as fair and reasonable compensation) by asking her what the options are to resolve the matter fairly should he not agree to a reasonable claim value. In other words, let her know that you will go through with a court filing if need be.

Remember these tips, do your homework, print out your evidence, show resolve to get your fair settlement, and you will DO JUST FINE.

I trust that my time here has produced some information that has been of value to you, and thus I would respectfully request that you take the time to locate the FEEDBACK FORM on this site and leave some feedback for me.

Best Wishes,

Dr. Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
http://www.SettlementCentral.Com