Some Mistaken Beliefs About Insurance Companies

The insurance company is going to be reasonable with me.

Many people try to handle their own personal injury case.  There is nothing necessarily wrong with that.  However, the mistake occurs when they believe that if you simply write the insurance company a nice letter and act a reasonable fashion, they will be reasonable with you!  Sounds fair, doesn’t it?  Well that’s not usually how it works.   Insurance companies have seen their fair share of scams and people who exaggerate their claims.  They have, in many cases, become hardened to personal injury claimants.  They give everyone a hard time.  Mother Theresa can make a claim, and they probably will hassle her.

I have to give the insurance company a statement. 

Another mistaken belief some people have is that when the opposing party’s insurance company calls, they have to give a recorded statement.  That’s not true.  You don’t have any legal obligation to give a statement to the other party unless there is a lawsuit pending, and your deposition is taking place.

The insurance company for the guilty party is going to pay my bills.

Some people also believe that the insurance company for the other party is obligated to pay your medical bills as they are due.   Most of the time, you’re going to have a very difficult time getting them to pay anything at all.   If they offer to pay ALL your bills, go get your camera and take a picture.  That would truly be a Kodak moment!