Adjusters Trained to Encourage Settlement

In its assessment of Allstate’s claims handling procedures, the McKenzie Group concluded that individuals who retain an attorney increase costs and claims at a rate of three times more than when a claim is settled without an attorney involved. To combat an increase in claims, Allstate and the other “big four” insurance carriers encourage adjusters to attempt to settle claims before even conducting any significant investigation. Insurance companies actually provide a script for adjusters to read to claimants when the topic of a lawyer comes up. Previous scripts have gone so far as to encourage claims adjusters to create a "friendly" relationship with claimants. If you’ve ever felt as though the insurance adjuster was a bit phony during your conversation, you were right. Remember one thing: Time is on your side. You do not have to file a claim while it is within Montana's three-year bodily injury statute of limitation.