What if the Auto Insurance Adjuster Is Not Responding?

When another driver causes your crash, you have to deal with their auto liability insurance provider. When the insurance adjuster from that company won’t cooperate, what can you do? This delays your claim and makes it very difficult to get the money you need. 

One of the best ways to reduce your stress and get the insurance carrier to respond to your calls is to hire a Tacoma car accident lawyer to handle your case. The legal team will take over all communication with the adjuster and may decide it is time to sue the at-fault driver or insurer if the company does not cooperate.

What Should I Do If the Auto Insurance Adjuster Won’t Respond to My Calls?

Navigating the insurance claims process after a crash takes time. However, the insurance adjuster usually wants to settle the case as soon as possible. It is advantageous for the insurance carrier to present a payout offer early in the case, hopefully before the victim realizes the severity of their injuries and the potential value of their case. 

This means any delay may not be on purpose. However, if you do not hear back from them in a few days to a week, it is time to act. The steps you should take if the insurance adjuster is not responding include: 

Reach Out to Them Consistently

First, keep calling. Send emails. Send messages through their online system. It is okay to be persistent. When you contact them, include dates you have contacted them and received no response. Be clear you expect a response and what you need when they return your call. And keep a record of everything.

Talk to a Supervisor

If this is not effective, call the insurance carrier’s customer service line and ask to speak to a supervisor or someone who can help you learn about the status of your case. You may need to navigate several menus until you get a real person on the line. 

When you do speak with a person, keep your cool and stick with the facts. You’re in the right, and you don’t need to become belligerent to get what you need. 

Consider Hiring an Attorney

If you still cannot get anyone to return your calls consistently, it may be time to hire a personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies may find it easier to ignore individuals than law firms. Often, adjusters change their approach to a case entirely when the victim hires an attorney. 

Why Is My Auto Insurance Adjuster Not Responding?

There are many reasons why an auto insurance adjuster might go silent. Most of them are not on purpose. The steps they need to take are time-consuming, and they are likely juggling several claims at once. Navigating these processes takes time, but certainly not weeks or months between calls. 

You want to close the case, receive your money, and put the whole thing behind you. The insurers want to settle claims, too—although for different reasons. 

Some reasons why you might not have heard from an insurance adjuster include: 

• Their office is understaffed
• They left the company or are on leave
• The claim was reassigned to another adjuster
• Your file has fallen through the cracks 
• Their policyholder may not be cooperating with their investigation

Occasionally, an adjuster simply fails to do their job or is poor at communicating what is going on in the process. They may be acting unprofessionally, stonewalling you, or otherwise making the claim difficult for you. Usually, speaking to a superior or hiring an attorney helps you get a resolution when this occurs.

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help With Your Insurance Claim

Your car accident lawyer can immediately take over handling your claim as soon as you hire them. This should greatly reduce your stress and could even result in a higher settlement value than you could have negotiated on your own. 

Your lawyer will contact the insurance carrier on your behalf and manage all communication moving forward. You do not have to worry about constantly trying to get in touch with them or knowing how to handle situations when they seem uncooperative. Your attorney will take care of it all. 

They will build a compelling case to present to the insurance adjuster and demand fair compensation based on your expenses and losses. Then, they will lead the negotiation process to reach a fair settlement amount or take other actions to recover a just payout based on your crash, injuries, expenses, and losses. 

When Is an Auto Accident Lawsuit Necessary? 

Sometimes, a car accident lawsuit might be necessary. This serves several purposes. First and foremost, if the insurance adjuster has been unresponsive, it shows the insurance carrier you are serious about recovering the full compensation available to you based on your expenses and losses. Suing the at-fault driver also:

• Moves the case forward in case the insurer will not negotiate
• Pressures the insurer to offer a settlement closer to your demands

When necessary, your attorney will recommend filing a lawsuit. This is not necessary in every case. Most cases will settle before reaching trial, even if you pursue legal action.

You have a limited time to sue. If this date is approaching or the insurance company refuses to cooperate, a lawsuit might be the next step in this process. Each state has its own laws. For example, in Washington State, you generally have up to three years from the accident date to sue under RCW 4.16.080. 

The best way to learn if a lawsuit might be necessary in your case is to speak with a car accident lawyer about your case. You can get a free case consultation from most firms.

Talk to an Auto Accident Law Firm When the Adjuster Fails to Respond

Jackman Law Firm provides free consultations for auto accident victims. If you cannot negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance carrier, we can help. We are a law firm worthy of your trust and have a no-fee policy. You only pay our attorneys when we recover compensation for you. 

Contact us today to learn more about our services.