Insurance companies are massive corporations with the intent to make big profits. GEICO, that is, Government Employees’ Insurance Company, is one of the biggest and richest insurance companies in the United States. Numbers suggest that GEICO provides coverage to more than 27 million vehicles owned by more than 16 million people.
The ways in which insurance companies make money is simple, while they take hefty premiums from their clients, they try and pay as little in case of a settlement as possible. The same holds true for GEICO. Hence, if you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, for instance, a car accident you’ve to file the claim with GEICO, it is best you leave it in the hands of a car accident lawyer to take a lead on the settlement.
However, we are here to share some trick of the trades and what exactly goes down when you file a claim with GEICO.
Step 1 – Claim adjuster is assigned: Once you file a claim, a claim adjuster is assigned to your case. They undertake a thorough review of the case, for example, the injuries sustained etc., and derive a settlement amount based on that. These rates are usually standardized, for example “x” amount for a broken shoulder and “y” for a broken arm. While it may seem straightforward, it is far from that. For instance, if you’ve broken your toe in the accident, the settlement amount may not suffice if you had to go through surgery or had to miss several days of work. Hence, ask your car accident attorney to take a strong position and put your case forward strongly backed by evidence.
Step 2 –Proving your case for the compensation
GEICO has only one agenda – to pay as little settlement as possible. In fact, the first settlement they offer may be lower than your wildest expectations. Hence, it is absolutely pertinent that you work closely with your car accident lawyer, share the most minute details of the accident, provide all important documentation (medical bills, photographs, witness information, etc.), so that you’re in a strong bargaining position. Your car accident attorney, using this critical information, will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Things to remember
GEICO is a leading insurance company and handle such settlements day in and day out. It is important that you never let your guard down. Make sure you don’t interact with their representative without prior notice to your car accident lawyer. Do not share any documents with them directly. Let the car accident attorney take it forward.
Lastly, don’t worry!
It may seem that if GEICO is involved, it is a lost battle! No, it is important that you hire a qualified and experience car accident lawyer to represent your interests. They’ll do their best to make sure you get a fair compensation.
If you or someone you know hasbeen in a car accident, you need a car accident attorney, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced car accident lawyers. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.