Common Complaints About Car Insurance Adjusters in Texas
Being in a car accident is stressful enough. The last thing you need is additional frustration from the insurance company. Unfortunately, many people in Texas, especially in Houston, experience trouble with the insurance company after an accident. Whether it’s unreturned phone calls or unfair settlement offers, dealing with a car insurance adjuster can feel like an uphill battle.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by an unhelpful adjuster, you’re not alone. At The Adley Law Firm, we understand your frustrations and are here to help. Our firm is based in Houston and serves clients across Texas. We offer free consultations and have a bilingual team (English and Spanish) ready to assist you. Our Houston car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call us today for a free case evaluation, and let us deal with the insurance company while you focus on recovering.
Common Issues When Dealing with Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters are supposed to help process your claim, but often they create new challenges. Remember, an adjuster ultimately works for the insurance company, not for you. Their goal is to save the insurer money, which can lead to practices that leave accident victims frustrated or even feeling cheated. Here are some of the most common complaints Texas car accident victims have about insurance adjusters:
Poor Communication and Unresponsiveness
Lack of communication is one of the top complaints. You might leave multiple voicemails or emails for the adjuster and get little to no response. Adjusters often juggle many cases, especially in a large city like Houston, and they may not keep you updated. This poor communication can leave you in the dark about the status of your claim and add to your anxiety.
In Texas, insurers are actually required by law to handle claims promptly, but that doesn’t stop some adjusters from dragging their feet. If your calls are being ignored or information is scarce, it’s understandably frustrating. In extreme cases, you have the right to file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance if an insurer isn’t handling your claim properly.
Lack of Empathy and Professionalism
Accident victims often feel that insurance adjusters lack empathy. You might be seriously injured or without a car, yet the adjuster’s tone can be cold, dismissive, or even rude. Some adjusters come off as condescending or make you feel like your problems are a burden. This lack of compassion adds insult to injury.
Remember, you’re dealing with a traumatic event, and you deserve to be treated with respect. Unfortunately, adjusters under pressure to close cases quickly might not show the patience or understanding you need. When an adjuster makes you feel bullied or insignificant, it only increases your stress during an already difficult time.
Unfair or Low Settlement Offers
Another frequent complaint is getting an unfair settlement offer. Insurance companies often start with a lowball offer, hoping you’ll accept less money than you truly deserve. You might find the adjuster minimizes your injuries or car damage, or they conveniently overlook future medical needs and other costs. This tactic is common, after all, the adjuster’s job is to save the company money.
However, a quick, low offer likely won’t cover all your expenses like hospital bills, therapy, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It can feel insulting to receive a check that doesn’t even come close to making you whole after a serious accident. You do not have to accept a low offer, and you have the right to negotiate or seek legal advice before signing anything.
Delays and Stalling Tactics
Insurance adjusters sometimes delay the claims process, which is another source of stress. They might take a long time to investigate, constantly ask for more documentation, or claim they’re still waiting on information. In Texas, insurance companies have deadlines to acknowledge and resolve claims, but not all adjusters move with urgency.
These stalling tactics can be intentional, the company knows that the longer you wait, the more desperate you might become to settle for whatever you can get. Meanwhile, your bills are piling up and your patience is running thin. Unreasonable delays are not fair to you as the victim. If you suspect the adjuster is stalling without good reason, it may be a sign of bad faith on the insurer’s part.
Pressure to Settle Quickly or Sign Papers
Many Texans report feeling pressured by adjusters to settle their claims quickly. The adjuster might urge you to accept the first offer before you “change your mind,” or they might rush you to sign a release of liability or a medical authorization. You might also hear things like “this is the best we can do” or suggestions that you don’t need a lawyer. This high-pressure approach is designed to close the claim fast, often before you realize the full extent of your injuries or have a chance to consult with an attorney.
It’s important to take your time and not be bullied into a quick settlement that doesn’t account for all your damages. Once you sign the final paperwork, you usually can’t go back and ask for more, so don’t let an adjuster’s urgency rob you of the compensation you may be entitled to.
How a Houston Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Dealing with these insurance adjuster issues on your own can be overwhelming. This is where an experienced Houston car accident lawyer at The Adley Law Firm can make a huge difference. Our attorneys deal with insurance companies every day and know their tactics. When you have a lawyer on your side, you don’t have to go back-and-forth with a difficult adjuster, we handle the hard conversations for you.
Here are a few ways we help when you’re having trouble with an insurance claim:
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Handle All Communication: We take over all communication with the insurance company to ensure your claim gets the attention it deserves. No more unreturned calls, the insurer has to respond to us, and we keep you informed every step of the way.
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Protect Your Rights: Our lawyers make sure you aren’t pressured into unfair deals. We gather evidence, document your injuries and losses, and prevent the adjuster from twisting your words or using sneaky tactics to minimize your claim.
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Fight for Fair Compensation: With our experience, we can calculate the true value of your case (medical costs, vehicle damage, lost income, pain and suffering, etc.). We negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement. If the insurance company won’t play fair or acts in bad faith, we are prepared to take legal action to get you the justice you deserve.
You shouldn’t have to fight the insurance company alone while recovering from an accident. If you’re fed up with an insurance adjuster’s runaround in Houston or anywhere in Texas, let The Adley Law Firm step in to support you. Our compassionate team will listen to your concerns, handle the insurance hassles, and work tirelessly to maximize your compensation.
Contact us today for a free consultation. There’s no upfront cost, and we only get paid if we win your case. Don’t let an insurance adjuster pressure you into a poor outcome, get a dedicated Houston car accident lawyer on your side. We’re ready to fight for you.
