After you’ve been in an accident, the insurance adjuster assigned to your case will analyze the claim and ultimately make you a settlement offer based on the provided information.
As a general rule, you can expect the first offer you get to be a bit on the lower end. There are a couple reasons why this is so common. It’s the adjuster’s job to get the insurance company out without having to pay out a bunch of money. They also know that they need to leave some room to negotiate.
This means you have the right to submit a counteroffer and engage in negotiations if you believe the settlement offer you receive is low. Here are a couple things to consider:
- Reasonable vs. unreasonable: It’s important to note you’re probably not going to have much luck getting major changes on a payout offer just because you don’t like the number. If it’s a reasonable offer to begin with, there’s only so far you have to negotiate. But if you believe it’s an unreasonable number, make sure to provide evidence backing up your position and your counteroffer so you have a better chance of getting an increased figure.
- Policy: You should also make sure you’re very familiar with your insurance policy so you know what your coverage limits are. If those limits are lower than your bills, your offer isn’t going to be higher than those coverage limits.
To learn more about how to navigate the insurance payout negotiation process, we encourage you to contact an experienced Sarasota, FL personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh.