The Work Done By The Insurance Adjuster

The insurance adjuster commences his or her work after a claim has been filed. At that point, one of the adjuster’s primary tasks involves investigating exactly what happened at the time of the reported collision. That investigation sets the stage for some intensive searches.

What gets sought during those searches?

Adjusters are made responsible for seeking to determine what a given claim is worth. Adjusters also seek to arrive at settlement terms with a specific claimant. Their efforts represent an attempt to keep the claimant from initiating a lawsuit with the help of an injury lawyer in Waterloo. A lawsuit means a court trial, a situation in which the insurer has little control over the size of the claimant’s compensation package.

Elements of case considered by adjuster, while seeking to determine the same case’s value.

What was the total for all the medical bills received by the claimant? What was the added cost of medication or medical equipment?

How much income was lost during the period of the claimant’s recovery from the accident-caused injuries?

What level of pain and suffering did the claimant/plaintiff endure?

What were the negative effects of the accident that triggered the claim that has been investigated? In what ways did it disrupt the plaintiff’s life?

What limits have been mentioned in the automobile policy that was purchased by the adult that filed the personal injury claim?

What is the strength of the plaintiff’s case? Is that particular case backed by overwhelming evidence?

The adjuster’s task, following a determination of the case’s worth:

Study the demand letter from the plaintiff. In that letter, the claimant/plaintiff makes clear the size of compensation that he or she requests, in order to recover all known losses. The adjuster responds to that demand letter, and makes an initial offer. Adjusters know that if they fall to respond, then the letter’s author, the plaintiff could seek to initiate a lawsuit.

Throughout the period of negotiations, the adjuster must respect the rights of the claimant-lawyer team. Smart adjusters do not force a plaintiff to contact the adjuster’s boss, the head of the insurance company.

Yet a plaintiff might feel compelled to contact that boss, if the adjuster has not responded to one of the plaintiff’s letters. Sometimes, a plaintiff must write a letter in response to a low-ball offer. In that same letter, the plaintiff’s words state firmly the desire for an explanation, regarding why such a small amount of money has been offered.

Plaintiffs have the right to make a copy of such a letter, and to send that copy to the adjuster’s boss. Adjusters’ desire to keep their bosses from receiving such a document push them to take action on any correspondence that might be received from a disgruntled plaintiff/claimant.