Securing the compensation you deserve after being injured in a car accident involves filing a claim against an insurance company, such as Shelter Insurance. You would file a claim with Shelter Insurance if they were the insurer of the party responsible for causing the accident in a “fault” state, or if they were your own insurer in a “no fault” state.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and various other losses. That doesn’t mean Shelter Insurance will provide such compensation simply because you’ve filed a claim. In these circumstances it’s often helpful to seek legal representation for the key reasons outlined here.
The goal of any major insurance company is the goal of any major company in all industries: to thrive financially. That’s why they aren’t genuinely motivated to pay claimants what they deserve. Instead, they use various tactics to try limiting the amount of compensation they pay out. It’s also not uncommon for insurers like Shelter to deny claims entirely, often for seemingly arbitrary reasons. Insiders have revealed that these companies intentionally design their policies to make it almost impossible for accident victims to collect compensation at times.
They also consciously try to sound as though they’re on your side when you file a claim. They want you to feel comfortable answering their questions. If you do, you could end up saying something they’ll later use to justify denying your claim or making lowball offers.
That’s all just one part of the overall “delay, deny, defend” strategy Shelter Insurance and others employ. When they use this strategy, even if you finally reach a fair settlement, they’ll wait a long time to actually pay you, delaying payment for as long as possible. They’ll also defend themselves in court if you can’t reach an agreement.
A lawyer can provide you with the representation you need when filing a claim with Shelter Insurance. To better appreciate how they can help, consider the example of Rinehart v. Shelter.
When the trial court initially awarded damages to the plaintiff for Shelter’s bad faith refusal to settle claims following a car accident. Shelter did not immediately accept this outcome. They appealed arguing the judgment in favor of the plaintiff was an error.
This could have theoretically prevented the plaintiff from securing compensation. Fortunately, they’d hired a lawyer early, who presented a strong case.
Instances such as these serve as clear reminders that insurance companies will go to lengths to guard against actually paying claimants. If you’re ever injured in an accident and have to file a claim against Shelter Insurance, you need to protect yourself by consulting with someone who will also go to those same lengths. Instead of letting Shelter Insurance determine how your claim is settled, review your case with an attorney. They’ll leverage their knowledge and experience to help you reach a fair settlement or win your case.
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.
