Once an insurer receives an insurance claim, they may test your resolve by tabling a settlement offer. You can reject the first settlement offer to set the ground for settlement negotiations. A personal injury attorney can compile various sources of evidence to convince the insurer to a higher valuation of your losses.
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.
If you find the offer unacceptable, your attorney can draft a formal letter and propose a counteroffer. This letter should clearly state that the initial offer is unacceptable and refute any inaccuracies in the insurance adjuster's statements.
You can reject the first settlement offer to set the ground for settlement negotiations. A personal injury attorney can compile various sources of evidence to convince the insurer to a higher valuation of your losses. Your attorney can propose a counteroffer, a value likely to cover your losses.
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.
If, after you have thought about reasonableness and the policy limit, you still think the offer you have is too low, you can reject it. Always reject a settlement offer in writing. Type a letter to your contact at the insurance company listing the reasons you think that their offer is too low.
If you have determined to respond to a low settlement offer yourself, consider the following: Stay polite and professional. We understand it's a frustrating and emotional process. Ask questions. Offer the facts. Put your response in writing. Don't be bullied.
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.