Hiring a car accident attorney when there’s a potential conflict of interest with the insurance company
Handling insurance claims after a car accident is confusing enough, but what do you do if the other party has the same insurance company? This potentially knotty problem may require the services of a car accident attorney to avoid confusion and ensure that you get a reasonable settlement.
Separate Claims Adjusters
When both parties in an accident have the same insurance company, that company should never issue just one adjuster to handle the claim. The use of separate adjusters or some other internal system of checks and balances is essential to avoid a conflict of interest.
Since accidents involving two people insured by the same company aren’t uncommon, most insurance providers understand how to handle the situation. Each adjuster should evaluate the accident independently before making any contact with the other. If you find that this isn’t the case, it’s time to call an attorney.
Standard Procedure Still Applies
Filing a claim in the event that the other driver shares your insurance company should work exactly the same way as if you had separate coverage. If there are deductibles to be paid or a specific filing procedure to follow, that will all go as usual. Treat the claims adjuster handling the other party’s case as a separate entity just as if they were a completely different company.
After both claims have been filed and evaluated, the adjusters will share their findings and decide who is at fault. If they agree, they’ll work together on a settlement. If not, they’re continue to work separately to ensure a fair outcome.
Profit vs. Fair Payout
Unfortunately, not all insurance companies use fair practices. Sometimes adjusters will come to an unfair settlement without openly speaking to either party and with only the interest of profits in mind. On the other hand, having the same insurance can sometimes result in a quicker settlement due to the company wanting to make both parties happy and avoid a drawn-out internal conflict. Deductibles may also be waived to make the process easier. In any event, adjusters should never “play favorites” by giving one party preference over another.
If you need help navigating the maze of insurance claims after an accident, contact HBO Law Firm. Our attorneys represent only accident victims – not insurance companies – so you can rest assured that your case is never compromised. With offices located in Neenah and Appleton, WI, we’re easy to find and always ready to help ease the aftermath of any auto accident.