5 Easy Steps to Do-it-yourself Settlement

Step 3: Communicate

 
SettlementCentral.Com demonstrates two major areas of effective communication:

• how to communicate with the insurance adjuster
  
• how to avoid undermining your injury claim by bragging about your anticipated award
  

The adjuster is a trained professional working for the insurance company, not your bowling buddy. If you give her the opportunity, she will use any of your words regarding liability or proof of your damages that will help the insurance company pay you less. She does not care whether the words were spoken in a formal interview or in an informal telephone call.

Do your business with the insurance adjuster in a courteous and helpful manner, and then get off the phone. You can certainly use humor in your conversation, but do not tell jokes, and especially do not tell potentially offensive jokes. Above all, never let your temper boil over. The insurance adjuster is also human, and can get upset. Do not argue with her, since you will always lose in the end. Remember she will be writing your check, and save your outrage until you are alone and off the phone. Always treat the insurance adjuster with respect and compassion for what she has to do, understanding that she has a legitimate role to play in keeping insurance costs at a reasonable level.

However, you need not always play strictly by the insurance adjuster's rules. For example, she will expect, ask and demand that you make a recorded statement. Check out Recorded Statements to Insurance Adjusters. Be polite, and stand your ground. Say, "No, ma'am" or "No, sir," followed by, "I will not agree to give you a recorded statement at this time. Please send me a letter instead so I can see what you're asking me and answer you fully. Thank you." To better understand why you don't want to give a recorded interview, Questions to Expect includes more than 100 questions typically asked in a recorded statement after an auto accident.

To settle your own injury claim, you need to communicate well with the insurance company. SettlementCentral.Com's Members Only area includes dozens of online letters and templates to help you communicate with the insurance company in the language they are used to. Our personal injury sample letters are straightforward ways to respond to offers and make counter-offers. While we cannot guarantee your success with the insurance adjuster, these tips have helped many people to successful personal injury settlement of their insurance claims. See I Settled My Claim - You Can, Too!

To avoid undermining your injury claim, do not discuss your case with anyone. Any of your communications with family, friends, co-workers or medical staff could affect the value of your claim. The old sayings "Loose lips sink ships" and "Everything you say can and will be used against you" both apply to "secrets" about your case that you share with others. After all, the insurance adjuster may talk with the same people you talk with. You might be shocked to learn what a medical/therapeutic office nurse or receptionist might pass along about you in a conversation with the insurance adjuster. When the adjuster checks on your wage loss with your supervisor, she will also fish for other information about you.

Remember that the major reason for your insurance claim is to make up to you, at least somewhat, for your injuries and any accompanying losses. If you can do something wonderful with some of that money, great. But do not talk about those possibilities until the personal injury settlement is final and in your bank account.
 
Continue to Step 4: Gather and Organize