You paid your premiums for years. Then you get hurt. You file a claim. And suddenly your own insurance company is stalling or lowballing you.
It’s more common than most people expect, and you don’t have to just accept it. Here’s what our attorneys say, starting with senior attorney Stephen D. Phillips.
What Our Attorneys Say
Stephen D. Phillips — Senior Attorney
“Unfortunately, many times an insurance company may not treat you fairly, whether it’s the damage to your automobile or any type of unemployment or disability insurance you have. If that’s the scenario, we can get you a lawyer to assist you with that part of the claim.”
Stephen J. Phillips
“Insurance companies not treating people fairly, when those people paid premiums for months or years before an accident, is something we see on a daily basis. It’s very common. The first thing to do is hire an attorney who knows the tricks these insurance companies like to play on injured people.”
What “Not Treating You Fairly” Actually Looks Like
It’s rarely a flat “no.” It’s quieter than that.
Maybe they drag your claim out for months. Maybe they deny it on a technicality. Maybe they offer a fraction of what your case is worth and push you to sign before you’ve thought it through. Different tactics, same goal: pay you as little as possible.
Why Insurers Play These Games
It’s a numbers business. Every dollar they don’t pay you is a dollar they keep.
They’re betting you don’t know what your claim is really worth, and that you’re too stressed or too strapped for cash to push back. An unrepresented person is the easiest person to underpay.
What You Can Do About It
Get a lawyer involved. That’s the honest answer both attorneys give above.
The moment an insurer knows you have representation, the games tend to slow down. Now someone on your side knows the real value of your claim and won’t be rushed into a cheap settlement. Our Chicago car accident lawyers deal with these tactics every single day.
Talk to a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer
If your insurance company is giving you the runaround, you don’t have to handle it alone. Let us look at how they’re treating your claim.
Call (312) 346-4262 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win. See our Chicago personal injury lawyers for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my insurance company won’t pay a fair amount?
Talk to a personal injury attorney before you accept anything. A lawyer can value your claim properly and push back on tactics designed to underpay you.
Can I take action against my own insurance company?
Yes. When an insurer handles your claim in bad faith, you have options. An attorney can pursue what you’re actually owed under your policy.
Does hiring a lawyer really change how the insurer treats me?
Usually, yes. Once there’s an attorney who knows the claim’s real value, insurers tend to stop the delay tactics and negotiate more seriously.
