Let’s face it: no one likes dealing with insurance companies. You most likely have to do it after something terrible happens, and you are least prepared to deal with their fast talking, industry jargon, and complicated legalese.
But, when you want to expedite the settlement process and begin rebuilding your life as quickly as possible, you may be tempted to reach out directly and call the adjuster on your case. Many people in the same situation often come to Galen M. Hair, Founder of Insurance Claim HQ, to ask him if making the call themselves is ok.
“Of course, it’s your adjuster and your claim. So, you are entitled to deal with them yourself,” he said. But, he continued, unless you are very familiar with insurance law or have studied the specifics of your case and the finer points of your insurance policy, he’d probably advise you not to talk to make that call.
Based in New Orleans but serving several states, Hair is an expert on property insurance cases — they are the only kind he and his team deal with. Though he opened his own firm just two years ago, after working in property insurance protection law for more than a decade, he’s already made a name for himself, taking on the world’s largest insurance companies in nationwide denial cases.
In that short period, he assisted 1,200 families, and several churches in getting the money owed to them by property insurers. He’s also landed on the Inc 500 list and Goldman Sachs 10,000 list.
He knows from experience the underhanded things insurance companies try to pull on unsuspecting claimants, most of whom have faithfully paid premiums for years. Then, when they need help, they find themselves stalled, denied, and with claims reduced by the companies they thought were there to support them in times of trouble.
“Unfortunately, it’s very normal. Insurance companies are businesses designed to profit from your premiums. So when they get your claim, they only consider how to impact their bottom lines the least. If they can get away with paying you less than you deserve, they will,” the founder said.
Below, Hair shares his thoughts on when you should call your adjuster yourself and when you should leave this delicate work in the hands of professionals.
You Know Your Case
Hair noted that policyholders successfully talk to adjusters daily, and things go smoothly. But, many more do themselves (and their cases) serious damage when phoning up the person in charge of doling out insurance dollars.
“You can call your adjustor and talk to them, but only if you are sure you have a firm handle on your case. You need to know the laws, your rights, the details of your policy, and your obligations. If you make the call and are unprepared, you’re likely to accidentally say something that could damage your case by admitting a breach of your insurance contract,” Hair explained.
On the Record
If you are in a state where recording phone conversations is legal, Hair strongly suggests recording every single phone call you have with all adjusters.
“I get a lot of complaints from clients that an adjuster told them something false, misleading, untrue, or even just horrendous. But, when I go to depose these adjusters, they say they never said those things. I know my clients aren’t lying to me, but without a recording, there is no proof that it ever happened,” he said.
He offered a second tidbit of wisdom regarding notes and recordings, stating that — no matter what you do — adjusters are documenting everything you say in notes and recordings. But you can’t rely on those recordings if your case goes to trial.
Hair has seen countless cases in which insurance companies claim they can’t produce the recordings during litigation. They most likely won’t produce them if they help your case. And, while the adjusters always make written notes during calls, those are slanted in a way that helps the insurance company, not you.
Use Your Resources
“A lot of people call their adjusters, and a lot of people handle their claims themselves, and if it’s going well, and you know what you’re doing, no problem. But, if you have professional help, like a loss consultant, a contractor, a public adjuster, or an attorney, I suggest letting your team talk to the adjuster. They know what needs to be said, how it should be said, and whether what the adjuster says back is important and what it means for your claim,” explained Hair.
It makes sense. After all, If you have help from experts in the property insurance field, it’s best to let them do what they do best. And, if you are looking for expert help, Hair and his team at Insurance Claim HQ are always ready to help.
About Galen M Hair
Galen M Hair, Owner at Insurance Claim HQ, is a property insurance attorney who has helped over 1,200 families rebuild their homes and businesses. He has been rated a Super Lawyers Rising Star and voted one of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Click here to learn more about protecting your property from disaster: http://www.insuranceclaimhq.com
