Insurance companies play a key role in accident claims. They’re the ones that pay for the damages, whether it’s medical bills or damage to your car.

In order to release an insurance payout, insurance companies first investigate the accident to see if the claim is legitimate.

It’s important that you, as a victim, contact a personal injury lawyer because insurance companies are known to use all sorts of tactics to reduce payouts. Without a lawyer, you may not get the compensation you need.

Here are a few tips you should follow when you talk to an insurance company.

Do Talk to a Lawyer

It can be difficult to deal with an insurance company when you’re an accident victim because you’ll be bogged down by many things at once, including getting treatment, keeping track of finances, and so on. Having a lawyer handle the insurance company takes a load off your shoulders, as they will have plenty of experience handling insurance companies.

Insurance companies will use tricks like getting you to admit fault or accept a low offer, and a lawyer can spot these tactics easily. Without their assistance, you may not be able to recognize their tactics and risk losing a good payout.

Don’t Accept the Initial Offer

The first offer that an insurance company gives you will usually be low. You may be unaware of this and accept the offer, but this will help insurance companies save money. You should go through the negotiation process and consider all aspects of your accident with your lawyer to ensure that you receive a fair payout.

If the insurance agent tries to pressure you into accepting the offer by saying you have a deadline or tries to get a verbal agreement, don’t fall for it. Don’t agree to anything without your lawyer present.

Do Keep a Record of Your Conversations

Keep a record of all your interactions with the insurance company to ensure that they don’t break their word on something they promised. This also ensures that your insurance provider won’t be able to claim that you agreed to something.

For example, it can prevent them from saying that you verbally agreed to a low offer when you did no such thing.

Make sure you save all the emails sent by your insurance provider and record any phone calls with your insurance agent. These records can also be useful during negotiations, as they can show the approach the insurance provider intends to take or their needs.

Don’t Give Too Many Details

It’s important to stick to the facts that the insurance provider needs to know. Revealing too many details may give them a reason to deny your claim. When you’re talking about your injuries, make sure you don’t go into detail or give them your entire medical history.

Another point to keep in mind is to be careful what you say—don’t admit fault or say anything incriminating, as it can affect your claim.

Conclusion

Insurance providers have their own procedures to determine how much an accident claim is worth. It’s important to handle all interactions with them carefully, as it can greatly impact your payout. Be sure to hire a good lawyer and have them be present for all your interactions with your insurance provider.

Remember to only share the details you need to and don’t agree to the initial offer. Make sure you record all your conversations and accept an offer that takes all your expenses into account. A good lawyer will be able to navigate these interactions effortlessly, so hire one if you have been injured in an accident.