Insurance companies spend billions of dollars each year on advertising designed to make you think they're your friendly neighbor, your good hands, or your trusted ally. But when it comes time to pay your claim, these companies transform into formidable adversaries with one goal: pay you as little as possible.
Tactic 1: The Quick, Lowball Settlement Offer
Within days — sometimes hours — of your accident, an insurance adjuster may contact you with a settlement offer. It may sound generous in the moment, especially when you're stressed about medical bills. But these early offers are almost always a fraction of what your claim is truly worth.
Insurance companies know that the full extent of your injuries may not be apparent yet. By settling quickly, they lock you into an agreement before you understand the true cost of your injuries. Once you accept, you can never go back for more — even if your injuries turn out to be far worse than initially thought.
Tactic 2: Requesting a Recorded Statement
The adjuster will ask you to provide a recorded statement about the accident and your injuries. This may seem reasonable, but it's a trap. Anything you say can and will be used against you. A seemingly innocent statement like 'I'm feeling okay' can be used to argue that your injuries aren't serious.
Our advice: Never give a recorded statement without first consulting an attorney.
Tactic 3: Disputing Medical Treatment
Insurance companies routinely challenge the necessity and cost of medical treatment. They may argue that your treatment was excessive, that cheaper alternatives were available, or that certain procedures were unrelated to the accident. They often hire their own medical experts to support these arguments.
Tactic 4: Blaming Pre-Existing Conditions
If you had any pre-existing medical conditions, the insurance company will try to attribute your current symptoms to those conditions rather than the accident. What they won't tell you is that under the 'eggshell plaintiff' doctrine, a defendant takes the victim as they find them — pre-existing conditions and all. If the accident aggravated a pre-existing condition, the at-fault party is responsible for the aggravation.
Tactic 5: Surveillance and Social Media Monitoring
Insurance companies hire private investigators to conduct surveillance on claimants. They may also monitor your social media accounts for posts, photos, or check-ins that contradict your claimed injuries. A photo of you smiling at a family barbecue can be used to argue that your injuries aren't as severe as you claim.
Our advice: Be extremely careful about what you post on social media during your claim. Better yet, make all accounts private and refrain from posting about your activities.
Tactic 6: Delaying the Process
Insurance companies know that time is on their side. The longer they delay, the more financial pressure builds on the injured person. Medical bills pile up. Lost wages accumulate. Many claimants eventually accept a lower settlement simply because they can't afford to wait any longer.
Tactic 7: Denying the Claim Outright
Sometimes, insurance companies simply deny the claim — often without valid justification. They may argue that their insured wasn't at fault, that your injuries aren't supported by medical evidence, or that you failed to seek timely treatment. Many claimants accept these denials without challenge.
How to Respond
The most effective way to combat these tactics is to hire an experienced personal injury attorney from the start. At Bond Legal, we've spent years going toe-to-toe with insurance companies, and we know every trick in their playbook. We handle all communication with the insurer, preserve and present evidence strategically, and advocate vigorously for the full value of your claim.
Don't let an insurance company take advantage of you. Call Bond Legal at (866) 423-7724 for a free consultation.
