Protecting Yourself From Common Insurance Tactics in Houston

When you are seeking compensation for injuries caused by a negligent action, the negligent party’s insurance company might act friendly toward you. They want you to let your guard down, see them as harmless, and discuss the case with them without legal representation. Then, they’ll turn around and use what you said against you, to lower what they pay, or to deny your claim entirely.

Many people have been deceived by insurance company tactics and had their claims jeopardized. So, how do you protect yourself from insurance adjuster tactics? We’ll share tips on how to protect yourself from common insurance tactics in Houston. Our team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law will protect your rights and interests and shield you from the manipulative tactics of insurance companies.

We will handle all communications with the insurance company and guide you on what to say and not say, so you do not harm your case. Our initial consultations are free and confidential, so call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 to get started. During the consultation, we will discuss how you can protect yourself from manipulative insurance tactics and how you can get the best possible outcome.

Why Retain Our Personal Injury Lawyers to Represent You?

At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, our lawyers have extensive knowledge of personal injury law and a successful track record of handling complex cases. We know the different tactics insurance companies use against unsuspecting claimants, and we know how to counter them. We will fight to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

We will aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to prevent lowball settlements and unfair tactics. Also, we will gather crucial evidence, interview witnesses, and work with experts to build a strong case on your behalf. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we will take your case to court and advocate for your rights. Contact us now to learn more about how we can help you.

Our firm has recovered more than 1 billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for injury victims, and we are committed to securing the best possible outcome for your case. 

Common Insurance Tactics in Houston and How to Protect Yourself Against Them

Insurance companies are profit-oriented, so insurance adjusters use various tactics to minimize or deny personal injury claims. Knowing these tactics and how to counter them will keep you from being manipulated and will protect your case. The following are common insurance tactics we’ve seen through the years and how to protect yourself.

Quick Lowball Settlement Offers

After an accident — sometimes while you’re still in the hospital recovering — the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster will approach you with a settlement offer. They make it seem like it’s the best you can get and encourage you to take it to settle your medical bills. They do this to prevent your seeking additional compensation, and the money offered is usually less than your case is worth.

To protect yourself against this tactic:

• Do not accept the first settlement offer without consulting a lawyer.
• Ensure you assess the full scope of medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term effects of your injuries before settling.
• Consider getting a second opinion from another experienced personal injury lawyer – assuming you did not already hire one.

Disputing Liability

The insurance company can argue that the policyholder (at-fault party) was not at fault or claim you were partially at fault for the accident as a way of reducing the settlement amount. To protect yourself from this insurance tactic, do the following:

• Gather as much evidence as possible, such as police reports, witness statements, photos, and videos.
• Avoid making statements that could be used against you, such as admitting any fault.
• Work with an attorney who can challenge liability disputes with substantial evidence.

Delaying the Claim Process

The at-fault party’s insurer may delay processing the claim, hoping you will become desperate and accept a lower settlement or give up. They know that many people do not have the flexibility or financial reserves needed to withstand some of the immediate financial impact in the aftermath of a bad car crash. To protect yourself:

• Keep detailed records of all communications with the insurance company.
• Set firm deadlines for responses and follow up regularly.
• If delays continue, involve an attorney. We can apply legal pressure that sometimes speeds up the claim process. Sometimes, we will need to file a lawsuit early on to make meaningful forward progress.

Our lawyers can handle all the legal complexities related to your case so you can focus on your recovery and well-being.

Requesting Excessive Documents

The insurance company might request unnecessary documents to prolong the claim process and frustrate you. When faced with this tactic, do the following:

• Gather only the necessary documents and consult a lawyer before submitting anything.
• Be cautious about signing medical release forms, as insurers may use them to access unrelated medical history.
• If requests seem unreasonable, contact us, and we can intervene to prevent harassment.

Using Recorded Statements Against You

The phrase, “Anything you say or do can be used against you,” does not only apply in criminal cases. During insurance claims or lawsuits, the insurance company can twist your words in a recorded statement to shift the blame toward you. This is a standard insurance tactic in Houston. You can protect yourself by politely declining to provide recorded statements without legal representation.

Arguing About Pre-Existing Conditions

To reduce their liability, the at-fault party’s insurer might claim your injuries were not caused by the accident but by a pre-existing condition. Get comprehensive medical documentation linking your injuries to the accident to protect yourself. Also, keep a record of your treatment timeline from the day the accident happened. Treat this like a journal. Note everything possible about your pain, your physical limitations, your mood, problems sleeping, etc. Our firm works with an extensive expert network, who can help refute the insurance company’s claims.

Surveillance and Social Media

The insurance company can hire investigators to surveil you or monitor your social media to find evidence contradicting your claims. To protect yourself from this insurance tactic, we recommend doing the following:

• Avoid posting anything whatsoever about your injury or case on social media.
• Set strict privacy settings on all of your accounts.
• Avoid posting anything on social media that can be possibly misinterpreted by the insurance company.

Pressuring You to Settle Before Hiring a Lawyer

Applying pressure on Texas injury victims is one common insurance adjuster tactic. They might pressure you to accept a settlement before getting legal representation, as they know a lawyer will negotiate a higher amount. You can protect yourself by getting legal representation immediately after an accident. We will help you understand your rights and the value of your claim.

Misrepresenting Policy Limits

To save money, the insurance company can claim that the at-fault party’s policy limits are lower than they are or do not cover certain damages. To avoid falling for this, request a copy of the entire insurance policy, not just the declarations page (or “dec page”), and review it carefully. We can help you verify policy coverage or limits and take actions against the insurer if they acted in bad faith. Please note that often, insurance adjusters are unwilling to share policies, dec pages, or even coverage limits; therefore, sometimes we are only able to obtain this by filing a lawsuit and through discovery.

We Can Help You Uphold Your Rights and Take Legal Action

As discussed, insurance companies use various tactics to minimize payouts. However, you can protect yourself by being informed, cautious, and proactive and by getting legal representation. Our team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law can provide guidance and assistance. We will be with you from the beginning to the end and ensure the insurance company does not take advantage of you.

Our legal services are provided on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will not charge you until you secure a favorable outcome, where we will be paid from a percentage of the compensation awarded. Call us now if you need a reliable legal team that serves Houston and other Texas cities—at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free, no-obligation consultation.