Some insurance companies try to drag out personal injury settlement claims for several months or years before finally offering a reasonable settlement. There are common stonewalling tactics that aFirstCoastpersonal injury attorney will be able to recognize and anticipate, since an insurer’s delay and failure to respond to a claim may result in a finding of bad faith on their part, resulting in liability.

If your claim is a complex one that comes in multiple parts, some claims representatives may refuse to pay any parts of the claim until you agree to settle all parts. For example, if you have an auto damage claim as well as a bodily injury claim pending, the insurance representative may refuse to pay out your auto claim until you also agree to pay the bodily injury claim. This puts pressure on you to settle claims quicker for less than you would hope for in order to get your car repaired sooner.

As another tactic, the claims representative may have the claimant use his or her own medical coverage, and then take credit for that coverage before allowing the claimant’s medicals to be paid by the insurance company.

Also, some less scrupulous claims representatives may refuse to offer advance payment for expenses such as food, rent, or living expenses. This puts pressure on the claimant to agree to a settlement earlier and for less than they might otherwise get.

If you have further questions about insurance company tactics, contact First Coast personal injury attorney John Fagan for a free initial consultation.