Have you been involved in a car accident through no fault of your own? If this ever happens, you’re entitled to compensation for losses ranging from medical bills to pain and suffering. Collecting what you’re owed involves filing a claim with an insurance company, such as Texas Farm Bureau Insurance.
It’s important to understand that filing your claim doesn’t mean you’ll automatically receive all the compensation to which you’re entitled. You should consider meeting with an attorney shortly after your accident to learn more about your rights.
Insurance is a business. Thus, like virtually all businesses, Texas Farm Bureau Insurance wants to earn more money (and keep the money they have). That means they’re not inclined to pay claimants the full amount of compensation they’re owed.
An adjuster will absolutely try to sound as though they’re on your side when you speak with them. They want to put you at ease so you’ll answer their questions.
Remember that you are not required to answer any of their questions. Instead, you can hire an attorney to handle all major communications with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. If you work directly with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance yourself, there’s a strong risk of saying something they can use to argue you deserve less compensation than is genuinely fair.
They may even try to deny your claim altogether. According to insiders familiar with the industry, these companies often design their policies with the clear intention of making it difficult or impossible for claimants to secure proper compensation.
If Texas Farm Bureau Insurance makes any offers at all, they’ll lowball you, and if you reach a settlement, they may take various steps to avoid paying until they absolutely have to. They’re also prepared to defend themselves in court if you can’t reach an agreement.
To better understand not only the way in which hiring a lawyer helps in these cases, but also the lengths insurance companies will go to protect themselves financially, consider the example of Fontanez v. Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Company.
In this tragic case, a woman was killed after being struck by the door of her vehicle when a thief was attempting to steal it. Texas Farm Bureau Insurance was one of her insurers. They refused to offer compensation, claiming that due to the circumstances, the vehicle did not qualify as an “uninsured motor vehicle” according to provisions in her policy. The representative of her estate filed suit in response.
Initially, the trial judge sided against them. Luckily, with the help of their attorney, they appealed this judgment, and were able to finally secure compensation from Texas Farm Bureau Insurance.
Keep in mind, if you ever find yourself involved in a car accident, an insurance company will try right away to lowball you or make you admit something that can harm your claim. Don’t let them succeed. Instead, review your case with an attorney right away. They’ll provide you with the representation you deserve.
Still have questions about filing a claim? Contact us using the button below and we’ll walk you through the entire process of filing a claim and getting the compensation you deserve.
