Dealing with an Aggressive Insurance Adjuster

Understanding the Adjuster’s Role

After a car accident or injury claim in Oklahoma City, dealing with an insurance adjuster is often one of the first steps in the recovery process. Adjusters are hired by insurance companies to investigate and settle claims, but their loyalty rests with their employer—not the policyholder. Their job is to limit the company’s financial exposure.

This goal can lead to frustrating interactions, especially when an adjuster seems aggressive or dismissive. Knowing what motivates them helps you stay grounded and avoid costly mistakes. Their tactics may be calculated, but with the right approach, you can protect your claim and your peace of mind.

Recognizing Common Tactics

Insurance adjusters in Oklahoma often rely on strategies designed to minimize claim payouts. When you understand these approaches, you’ll be prepared to respond with confidence and clarity.

• Delaying the Claim: Repeated requests for new documents or unexplained silence can wear you down, pushing you to settle quickly.
• Low Settlement Offers: Initial numbers may come in far lower than your actual losses, hoping you’ll accept before consulting an attorney.
• Denials or Disputes: An adjuster might argue that certain injuries or damages weren’t caused by the accident, even when evidence supports your claim.
• Using Complicated Policy Language: Some adjusters lean on confusing insurance terms to discourage you from pursuing the full amount owed.
• Requesting Recorded Statements: These can trap claimants into saying things that may later be used to dispute liability or damages.
• Devaluation of Property: In property or vehicle claims, adjusters sometimes apply excessive depreciation to reduce settlement values.
• Cherry-Picking Evidence: Ignoring key medical reports or selective reporting can distort the strength of your claim.

When these tactics appear, it’s often a sign that your claim is being treated as a cost to minimize—not a legitimate loss to be compensated fairly.

Steps to Protect Yourself

Oklahoma insurance law requires companies to handle claims fairly and promptly, but enforcing that expectation takes diligence on your part. Whether you live in Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, or nearby communities, the following steps can make a difference.

1. Document Every Interaction: Save all emails, letters, and phone records. Keep receipts, medical bills, repair estimates, and photos of damage. Consistent documentation can prove invaluable if your claim is challenged.
2. Understand Your Coverage: Read your policy wording carefully, focusing on exclusions and limits. Knowing what’s promised helps you identify when the adjuster is stretching boundaries.
3. Stay Mindful of What You Say: Avoid apologies or statements that might sound like admissions of fault. Even casual remarks can be misinterpreted later.
4. Consult Before Giving a Recorded Statement: If asked to record a statement, pause before agreeing. A personal injury attorney can advise you on what’s appropriate to share and ensure your rights are protected.
5. Remain Calm But Firm: Emotional responses can be used against you. Instead, maintain a polite disposition while asserting your position and keeping conversations documented.
6. Seek Legal Advice Early: Engaging an attorney communicates that you’re serious about your claim. Insurance companies tend to handle legally represented claimants with greater respect and urgency.

When the Adjuster Crosses the Line

In Oklahoma, insurers must comply with the state’s Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act under Title 36, Section 1250.5. This law prohibits unreasonable delays, misrepresenting policy terms, or failing to conduct fair investigations. When an adjuster’s behavior seems too aggressive or violates these standards, you have the right to take further action.

Steps you may consider include:

• Filing a written complaint with the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Consumer Assistance Division.
• Requesting supervised review from a claims manager or internal dispute resolution department.
• Consulting a qualified attorney who can determine whether the insurer is acting in bad faith.

Bad faith claims arise when an insurance company intentionally delays or denies benefits without reasonable justification. Courts across Oklahoma City and surrounding areas treat these matters seriously, often awarding additional damages if misconduct is proven.

Why Having Legal Support Helps

An attorney experienced in handling aggressive insurance adjusters can change the dynamic immediately. Once legal representation is involved, all communication is routed through your lawyer, reducing stress and preventing you from saying anything that could harm your case.

If you’ve been in an accident, an attorney can:

• Evaluate the fair market value of your damages using expert assessments.
• Negotiate assertively with the insurer’s legal and claims teams.
• File a lawsuit if fair settlement negotiations fail.
• Ensure compliance with all filing deadlines under Oklahoma law, including the two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims.

The peace of mind that comes with professional advocacy can be invaluable during a stressful recovery period. An experienced lawyer levels the playing field, reminding the insurer that your rights deserve respect.

Taking Control of the Process

Facing an aggressive adjuster doesn’t mean you must accept intimidation or unfair offers. Keeping your documentation thorough, knowing your coverage, and standing firm with legal guidance can make a significant impact on the outcome of your claim.

When you feel overwhelmed or uncertain, remember that help is available right here in Oklahoma City, OK. Working with legal professionals familiar with local insurance practices can protect your interests and ensure your claim receives the attention it deserves.

Talk to Bryan Garrett, PLLC

If an insurance adjuster is pressuring you or offering less than your claim is worth, you don’t have to face them alone. The team at Bryan Garrett, PLLC understands how insurance companies operate and knows the tactics they use.

Call (405) 369-4498 or contact us online for a free consultation. We’ll handle the negotiations, protect your rights, and fight for the fair compensation you’re owed in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

What tactics do aggressive insurance adjusters use?

Aggressive adjusters may delay claims, offer low settlements, dispute injuries, use complex policy language, request recorded statements, devalue property, and cherry-pick evidence to minimize payouts.

How can I protect myself when dealing with an aggressive insurance adjuster?

Document every interaction, understand your policy, be mindful of what you say, consult an attorney before giving a recorded statement, remain calm but firm, and seek legal advice early.

When should I consider legal action against an insurance company?

If an adjuster’s behavior is too aggressive or violates Oklahoma’s Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act (Title 36, Section 1250.5), you may consider filing a complaint with the Oklahoma Insurance Department, requesting a supervised review, or consulting an attorney about a bad faith claim.