Working with insurance companies is an unpleasant necessity of life whether you’re talking about your health, your home, or your next biggest investment—your car. In fact, most US states require anyone operating a car to carry insurance. Only drivers in New Hampshire and Virginia are able to drive without insurance—though you’re still on the hook in an accident when you’re at fault.

Chances are high, then, that you’ll be dealing with insurance claims at some point in your life. And you may be surprised at how difficult it can get once you try to use that insurance that you’ve been faithfully paying for every month.

According to the American Association for Justice, insurance companies rely on some standard strategies—tricks of the trade—to dismiss or limit your claims, no matter how legitimate. Whether it’s denying claims outright or dragging their feet until the claim disappears (due to death or exhaustion), insurers have standard strategies to dismiss or limit your claim that you should be on the lookout for.

Denying Claims

Some insurers incentivize their employees to deny claims. And those who don’t deliver denials often don’t last long in the company.

Delaying Until It Doesn’t Matter

Insurers sometimes make claims so complicated, slow or difficult that customers simply give up. When their customers are sick or elderly, they may be playing this game until the customer actually passes away.

Confusing the Customer

If you’ve ever spent time reading through your insurance paperwork, this won’t surprise you. In fact, you may be surprised how companies that can use plain English to market themselves aren’t capable of writing clear policies or instructions. That’s not a mistake. That’s a strategy to keep customers from filing.

These and other strategies can leave the customer feeling lost and helpless, but it’s important to remember that you’re the customer here. Your signature is valuable. Don’t give it away without understanding what you’re agreeing to.

Get Help Understanding Your Policy

When you’re exploring a new policy, be sure you understand its limitations. Speak with a professional to see if the policy meets your needs and to ensure there aren’t any pricy loopholes. Each state has a Department of Insurance where you can find resources.

If you have been injured in an accident and are unsure what could be compensated, contact us. McCraw Law Group can help by explaining your options.