Here are five lies you will likely hear from the insurance company to avoid paying your claim. Below each lie is commentary as to why each statement you will hear from the insurance company is a lie.  Finally, there is the truthful answer that would be given if the insurance company was being honest with you.

1. We need a recorded statement to get your version of what occurred.

This could not be any more false.  A statement is not needed.  They can ask you what happened without recording you.  The recording does not give them any more or less information than if the call were not recorded.  If anything, they obtain less information because the party being recorded is reluctant to be as candid as they otherwise would while being recorded.

Truthful answer:
We want to record this conversation so that we can pin you down to every word you say and if you change any part of your story (or we can make it appear that you have) as the matter progresses to litigation, we can make you look like a liar so the jury won’t believe you.

2. Plaintiff’s minimal treatment indicates that his/her injury, if any, was minimal.

Not every injury requires a lot of medical treatment to heal.  The human body has an amazing ability to heal on its own.  Doctors and physicians know this and many times will rely upon your body to heal on its own while providing medication to help ease the discomfort.  Other times, a few chiropractor or physical therapy visits is sufficient.

Truthful Answer:

We have ran out of arguments, we know our insured is liable for your injuries, and thus, are throwing the only argument at the wall to see if it sticks.   Plus our silly little equation says so.

3. Plaintiff’s treatment was unreasonable given the injury.

Just like there are some injuries that don’t take a lot of medical treatment, others do.  Also, everybody is different. People heal at different rates and require different treatments depending on the patient’s ability to heal on its own.

Truthful Answer:

We have ran out of arguments, argument #2 is more ridiculous in this situation, we know out insured is liable for your injuries, and thus, are throwing the only argument we have at the wall to see if it sticks.  Although we are not qualified as a doctor, have minimal medical training, and don’t have a clue what we are talking about, we are going to throw this argument out there to see if we can get you to second guess the extent of your treatment. 

4.  There was minimal damage to the car, so plaintiff could not have been injured.

When ever there is a collision, energy is transferred from one vehicle, the striking vehicle to, the other vehicle, the impacted vehicle.  The energy does not simply go away as the insurance companies would have you believe.  Often times, the bumper is smashed in, which means that the car did absorb some of the energy.  Other times there is no damage to the bumper which means that the bumper did not do its job.  The energy had to go somewhere, which usually is to the occupants of the vehicle.  In fact many healthcare professionals will tell you that no damage to the vehicle usually means more severe injuries to the occupants.

Truthful Answer:
           
We know the physics behind what causes injuries, and know that injuries can result when there is no apparent damage to the vehicle.  However, no damage equals no payment in our silly inflexible injury equation.

 

5.  We care about you…(While not necessarily communicated explicitly, this will be communicated through their tone and customer service approach throughout the claims process).

The insurance companies do not care about you and are not on your side.  They care about one thing, their bottom line and profits.  Every dollar paid to you affects their bottom line.  To the insurance company you are a claim number that is infringing on their profit margin.

Truthful Answer:

We don’t care about you.  You are a claim number, but I still have to be nice to you and pretend to care so that we can gain your trust, obtain the recorded statement (referenced in lie #1) and have you believe lie numbers 2 through 4. When you change your version, to overcome the lies that we told you, and the new version contradicts (or appears to contradict) the recorded statement, we can make you look like a liar.

 

There are many other lies and tactics the insurance companies will use to avoid paying fair compensation for your injuries.  Don’t go at it alone.  You need an experienced injury attorney on your side.  Call Stirling Law for a free consultation. (916) 851-5909.