How to Negotiate a Settlement

See the full video at https://youtu.be/WSYTbMC_uTE

After the adjuster determines that coverage exists, that the insured is probably liable for causing bodily injury or property damage to a third person, the adjuster must negotiate a settlement with the claimant or his or her attorney.

Just like the plaintiff’s attorney in a personal injury case, the insurance adjuster will investigate the claim – the facts of the accident and the plaintiff’s damages.

A very skillful and well-prepared insurance adjuster will often know more about the accident and about the plaintiff’s background than the plaintiff’s lawyer does.

There is no perfect method of valuing and negotiating a personal injury claim or suit. Each must be dealt with individually and the adjuster must be flexible enough to obtain a settlement that is agreeable to the insured, the plaintiff or claimant, and the lawyer representing the plaintiff or claimant.

The main facts determining how an accident settlement comes out are how well the adjuster has prepared all stages of the claim – investigation, supporting documents, demand letter, response, and counter offers and demands. How much the plaintiff or claimant is willing to settle for if it falls within the evaluation of the settlement value reached by the adjuster and the insurer will allow the parties to reach agreement.


© 2020 – Barry Zalma

Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE, now limits his practice to service as an insurance consultant  specializing in insurance coverage, insurance claims handling, insurance bad faith and insurance fraud almost equally for insurers and policyholders. He also serves as an arbitrator or mediator for insurance related disputes. He practiced law in California for more than 44 years as a

n insurance coverage and claims handling lawyer and more than 52 years in the insurance business. He is available at http://www.zalma.com and zalma@zalma.com.

Mr. Zalma is the first recipient of the first annual Claims Magazine/ACE Legend Award.

Over the last 52 years Barry Zalma has dedicated his life to insurance, insurance claims and the need to defeat insurance fraud. He has created the following library of books and other materials to make it possible for insurers and their claims staff to become insurance claims professionals.

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