When you’ve been in an accident, the first call you make after seeking medical help is often to an insurance company. They sound helpful, patient, and even sympathetic. But behind the scenes, their main priority is to protect their interests.
Many accident victims assume the insurance company will handle everything fairly. What they don’t realize is that getting a fair accident claim from an insurance company often requires more than just filing paperwork—it demands strategy, persistence, and sometimes legal guidance.
Insurance companies don’t always tell victims what their rights are. They may avoid mentioning the full value of your damages or the deadlines that could affect your payout.
In this guide, we’ll expose what they don’t tell you—so you can protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
What Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know
Once you file a claim, the insurance adjuster may appear cooperative. But behind the scenes, their goal is often to minimize how much the company pays out. Here are a few things insurance companies don’t want you to know:
1. They Offer Quick Settlements to Lowball You
One of the oldest tricks in the book is offering a fast settlement. It might seem like a relief to be paid quickly, especially if you’re facing medical bills or time off work. But the amount offered rarely reflects the true cost of your injuries, long-term treatment, or lost income.
Accepting a quick payout can also waive your right to seek additional compensation later, even if new complications arise. Insurance companies know this, and they use it to their advantage.
2. They Delay the Claims Process Intentionally
Another common tactic is intentional delay. Insurance companies might stall communication, request unnecessary documents, or “lose” submitted paperwork. The goal? Frustrate you into accepting a lower offer or giving up entirely.
Delays can be especially harmful in states with strict statutes of limitations. For example, in Wisconsin, personal injury victims have just three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (Wisconsin Statutes § 893.54). Insurance companies are aware of these legal deadlines and may delay in hopes that the clock runs out.
3. They Undervalue Medical Treatment
Adjusters may question whether your injuries are as serious as you claim. They might argue that your treatment was excessive or unrelated to the accident. In some cases, they’ll comb through your medical history, looking for pre-existing conditions they can blame.
To counter this, it’s crucial to follow your doctor’s treatment plan and keep detailed medical records. The more organized your documentation, the harder it becomes for the insurer to discredit your claim.
4. They Use Your Words Against You
A seemingly casual phone call with the insurance adjuster can be used as evidence against you later. Statements like “I’m feeling okay” or “I guess it wasn’t too bad” can be twisted to suggest you weren’t seriously injured.
This is why many attorneys advise against giving recorded statements without legal guidance. You’re not legally obligated to provide one right away, and in many cases, it’s better to speak through an attorney.
5. They Downplay Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life can be hard to quantify. Insurance companies exploit this by offering little or no compensation for these types of losses.
However, states like California recognize pain and suffering damages in personal injury claims under Civil Code § 3333, allowing victims to recover economic and non-economic damages caused by another party’s negligence. Don’t let an adjuster convince you these damages “don’t count.”
6. They Shift the Blame
Another powerful strategy is shifting partial or full blame onto the victim. If they can argue that you were even slightly at fault, they may use this to reduce or deny your payout.
In comparative negligence states like Florida, your compensation can be reduced based on your percentage of fault. So, if you’ve been found 30% responsible, your payout could be reduced by 30%. In contributory negligence states like Maryland, even 1% at fault could bar you from recovering anything.
