Dealing with an insurance company after a car accident can be stressful, especially against a giant like Esurance. While their digital tools and 24/7 support sound great on paper, many drivers are frustrated about getting a fair payout. If you are struggling with a denied or undervalued claim, do not go it alone. Talk to a car accident lawyer from Morris Bart to protect your rights and level the playing field from the start.
The Tactics Esurance Uses
Like many insurance companies, Esurance is focused on protecting its bottom line profit. This means their claims adjusters are trained to look for ways to reduce payouts or deny claims altogether through:
- Downplaying Injuries and Damages
One of the first things Esurance adjusters do is question the severity of your injuries. They may claim your pain is from a pre-existing condition or that your injuries are not as serious as you report. Sometimes, they will even go through your medical history looking for anything that could be used to discredit your claim. To counter this, seek immediate medical attention, follow all treatment recommendations, and keep thorough records of your injuries and treatment.
- Offering Lowball Settlements
It is not unusual for Esurance to make an initial settlement offer far below what your claim is truly worth. They hope you will accept out of financial desperation, especially if you face mounting medical bills and lost wages. These lowball offers rarely account for the full extent of your damages, including pain and suffering and ongoing medical needs. Consulting a lawyer can help you calculate your claim’s real value and negotiate a fairer settlement.
- Using Claim Valuation Software
Like its parent company, Allstate, Esurance uses industry-standard software like Colossus to value claims. These programs are notorious for undervaluing accident claims, especially for pain and suffering and other less obvious injuries. While this speeds up their process, it can result in much lower offers than an experienced attorney would consider fair.
- Shifting Blame or Denying Liability
Another common tactic is to blame you partially or entirely for the accident. If Esurance can argue that you were at fault, even partly, they may try to reduce your payout or deny your claim altogether. They might point to inconsistencies in your statement, use your words against you, and highlight any delay in reporting the accident or seeking medical care.
- Strictly Interpreting Policy Terms
Esurance adjusters will go through your policy looking for any reason to deny coverage. They may claim your accident is not covered due to a technicality, such as late premium payments, delayed accident reporting, and alleged policy misrepresentations. Sometimes, they will argue that the damages exceed your coverage limits or that your claim is fraudulent or exaggerated.
- Delaying the Claims Process
Some claimants experience unnecessary delays as Esurance adjusters request more documentation to prove fault while providing slow responses. This tactic can wear you down, hoping you will give up or accept a lower settlement just to move on.
Conclusion
Esurance’s digital-first approach may make filing a claim easy, but getting the payout you deserve is another story. From questioning your injuries and lowballing settlements to shifting blame and strictly interpreting policy terms, their tactics are designed to minimize what they pay out. If you are facing resistance from Esurance, do not try to fight them alone. Instead, talk to a car accident lawyer from Morris Bart who knows the insurance industry’s playbook and can fight for the compensation you are owed. With the right help, you can push back against these tactics and get the fair outcome you deserve.