Countering a Low Insurance Settlement Offer State that the offer you received is unacceptable. Refute any statements in the adjustor's letter that are inaccurate and damaging to your claim. Re-state an acceptable figure. Explain why your counteroffer is appropriate, including the reasons behind your general damage demands.
Be as neutral and matter-of-fact as possible. If the insurance company made any error in its assessment of your claim, you should be clear when addressing that in your written communication. State the settlement offer you are willing to accept and the reasons why.
To properly reject an insurance settlement offer, you must communicate the rejection in writing through a formal demand letter. This letter should clearly state the reasons for rejecting the offer, such as it not providing maximum compensation for the damages incurred.
I am writing in response to the settlement offer you presented on Settlement Offer Date, related to claim number Claim Number for the incident that occurred on Incident Date. After careful consideration, I must reject this offer as it does not meet my needs based on the severity and ongoing nature of my injuries.
Keep your emotions out of the letter and stick to facts, such as the extreme pain and suffering you have had to endure and the frustration and hassle of attending medical treatments. Be professional, courteous, and confident, and never attack the claims adjuster personally in your counteroffer letter.
This letter should state: That you will not accept the initial settlement offer; The reasons why you feel you deserve a higher settlement amount; Each of their low-offer reasons, and your responses; The higher settlement amount that you will accept.
Extended Claims Process: Declining an offer can lengthen the resolution process, which may be challenging if immediate financial needs are pressing. Possible Legal Action: If negotiations don't yield a satisfactory offer, a lawsuit may become necessary, requiring additional time and resources.
Once you put a settlement on the record, you cannot change your mind unless there were misrepresentations made to you and you relied on those representations to enter into the settlement agreement.
File a Lawsuit If negotiations fail, filing a lawsuit may be necessary. Courts expect parties to attempt out-of-court settlements first. A solid case showing the insurance company's likely loss in court can bring them back to the negotiation table.
This letter should clearly state the reasons for rejecting the offer, such as it not providing maximum compensation for the damages incurred. Provide specific reasons for your rejection, highlighting the damages and losses not covered by the proposed settlement.