Secrets of Accident Claims Against GEICO REVEALED!

March 18, 2022 | Car Accidents

Secrets of Accident Claims Against GEICO REVEALED!

GEICO is one of the largest auto insurance providers in the United States. It provides almost 15% of all auto insurance policies across the country. This means that many accident victims will need to file a claim through GEICO each year. 

However, GEICO does not increase its profits year after year by paying claims fully or quickly. 

For this reason, customers rate GEICO as “below average” for the way that the company handles claims. When you have been involved in a car accident involving a GEICO-insured driver, you could face many difficulties. 

Below, we will discuss a few secrets about how GEICO handles accident claims.

Secret 1: GEICO Is Not Looking Out for You

Like most large insurance providers, GEICO is not incentivized to pay adequate recovery to claimants. The company protects its bottom line by devaluing and denying accident claims. 

The premiums that are not used to pay accident victims are invested by the company. The fewer claims that GEICO approves, the more money they make. 

Because of this, GEICO’s adjusters are trained to undervalue most accident claims.

Secret 2: You Should Not Provide a Recorded Statement

When you speak with a claims adjuster at GEICO, they will likely request a recorded statement for the company. If you comply, they will record a phone call and ask you questions regarding your claim. 

It is important to understand that these recorded statements typically work to the benefit of GEICO, rather than the victim. Anything you say that could undermine your claim will be used against you. 

For instance, suppose that the adjuster asks, “How are you today?” You are likely to say you are “fine” as a matter of politeness. However, even this social nicety might be used to claim that your injuries are not severe enough to require compensation. 

Some claim adjusters will tell victims that they must provide a recorded statement. This is untrue. GEICO will have access to many pieces of information to process your claim, including: 

  • Police accident reports
  • Medical records
  • Statements from the GEICO-insured driver
  • And more 

If the adjuster demands a recorded statement, end the call and speak with an attorney. A skilled lawyer can guide you through the process of speaking with a GEICO adjuster.

Secret 3: The First Offer Will Often Be Too Low

Most claim adjusters begin by offering victims a quick and inadequate settlement. In some cases, the initial offer will only account for around 20% of the associated medical costs. 

This provides the adjuster with two options: 

  • If the claimant accepts, they have saved the company money
  • If the offer is rejected, they can negotiate a settlement

This low initial settlement offer is often frustrating for car accident victims. However, securing the services of a skilled car accident attorney will give you the best chance of negotiating a fair settlement.

Secret 4: Adjusters Are Trained to Negotiate

Claim adjusters at GEICO are trained to negotiate over settlements. They will expect to negotiate if you file a claim with the help of an attorney.

When you attempt to speak with an adjuster on your own, they will have several advantages. These include:

Pressure

Adjusters understand that claimants have medical bills and other financial obligations. Because of this, claimants are often desperate to accept any offer.

Time

Adjusters often attempt to make the claims process progress slowly. This creates additional financial pressure on victims and encourages the acceptance of lowball offers.  

The accident victim often needs the settlement money quickly. GEICO has no incentive to rush money to accident claimants.

Resources

Finally, understand that GEICO is an enormous company with many resources. They do not need to reach a settlement with the same urgency as claimants.

To avoid these obstacles, it’s crucial to speak with a personal injury attorney before you attempt to negotiate with a large insurance provider like GEICO.

If you’ve been injured in Pennsylvania, please contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:

Harrisburg Law Office
945 East Park Drive, Suite 103 Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 231-1640

York Law Office
2550 Kingston Road, Suite 210A York, PA 17401
(717) 995-8998

Wyomissing Law Office
833 N. Park Road, Suite 103, Room A Wyomissing, PA 19610
(717) 388-2325

Chambersburg Law Office
79 St. Paul Drive, Suite 1 Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 388-2378

Carlisle Law Office
354 Alexander Springs Road Carlisle, PA 17015
(717) 995-8732

Carbondale Law Office
30 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 101 Carbondale, PA 18407 
(717) 995-8810

Lancaster Law Office
2173 Embassy Drive, Ste 123, Lancaster Pa 17603
(717) 616-2954

Lebanon Law Office
937 Willow Street, Suite D Lebanon, PA 17042-1140
(717) 995-8963