Orange County, California, is one of the most active and populated regions in the state, with a strong business environment and a large working population. It is home to major attractions and cultural centers, which means people from all walks of life live, work, and travel here every day. With so much daily activity, accidents are very common here.
People usually think that insurance companies are there to support them during the claim process. Yes, they do. But behind the scenes, their main focus is something completely different; their aim is to reduce the amount they have to pay. It is the truth many accident victims realize only after they go through the whole claim process.
If you are searching online for Orange County personal injury attorneys for your case, always choose an experienced attorney or a trusted law firm. They understand how insurance companies here handle claims from start to finish and know how to deal with tactics that are often used to reduce payouts.
First, Understand What a Bad Faith Insurance Tactic Is
People pay for the insurance, and in return, insurance helps them when something goes wrong. But sometimes, instead of honoring this, insurance companies try to delay, reduce, or deny your claim without a proper reason. This behavior is called a bad-faith insurance tactic.
And yes, it’s not a small problem.
- You basically lose your valuable time because the company drags the process.
- All your savings may start slowly draining because your bills cannot wait for the insurance to provide.
Once you know what to watch for with the insurance people’s tactics, you can really handle the situations with more confidence. Keep reading to find out.
5 Bad Faith Insurance Tactics Insurance People Use
- Unnecessary Delay in Processing Your Claim
A delay is the most common tactic because it looks harmless from the surface. First, they say they need more time. Then they say they are waiting for internal approval. Weeks pass, but nothing moves.
But what actually happens will be that they want you to feel tired and fed up with the process. Once the delay becomes long enough, many victims accept any amount just to “settle things.”
- Asking for the Same Documents Again and Again
Even after you have submitted your bills, reports, repair estimates, and ID proofs. They ask again and again to submit the docs. And sometimes even a third time can go too. And many insurance people are doing this to ultimately slow down the process in a way that seems “routine.”
It psychologically makes the concerned feel like maybe they have really forgotten something or did not submit something correctly. This tactic is used to create confusion and frustration. And many people simply give up or stop following up regularly.
- Offering a Very Small Settlement Very Early
Soon after the accident, for sure, there will be a call, and that period is when you are still recovering, and your expenses have not been fully calculated from your legal side; these insurance people use this phase and come with an offer, claiming it to be the best and needed.
But in most cases, it is usually a small amount, but they make it sound like a friendly gesture. And the logic behind this is when a person is stressed, they try to finish things quickly. But many accident victims agree to this lowball settlement offer because they feel that at least something is better than nothing.
- Misrepresenting What Your Policy Covers
One of the easiest ways these insurance people consider and often use to reduce payment is by saying, “This is not covered under your insurance policy.” Most people do not read their policy completely, especially the fine print.
Taking advantage of that, some adjusters may tell you something is excluded even when the policy clearly covers it. For example, they may deny payment for certain treatments, saying it is outside the coverage, when it is actually included. Unless you check the policy yourself or ask for written proof, this tactic usually goes unnoticed.
- Blaming You for the Accident Without Proper Proof
Yes, this is happening in many cases. They just shift the blame onto you. They may point out small things like the angle of collision, a casual statement you made after the accident, or even assumptions. That is why it is often advised to have legal support at every step.
Insurance people can make the victim really confused, especially if they are not familiar with accident laws. If they succeed in making you believe you were partly responsible, the compensation amount automatically reduces.
That is why legal help is important. A lawyer guides you from the start, helps you understand what is fair, and makes sure the insurance company cannot take advantage of your confusion.
Key Takeaways
- Many accident victims fail to notice insurance tactics until it is too late.
- Delays, repeated document requests, and low settlement offers are often planned moves.
Early awareness and legal guidance help avoid unfair losses.