#10 If I’m using the PIP from my insurance company, they will treat me better, right?

QUESTION: If I’m using the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefit from my own insurance company, they’ll treat me better, right?

ANSWER: Using your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits doesn’t mean your insurance company will treat you more favorably than if you were dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company — regardless of how long you have been their insured. The insurance adjuster’s job is to minimize claim payouts. An adjuster’s friendly demeanor is professional, not personal. They negotiate for a living. For your protection, keep your answers brief and consider consulting with a personal injury attorney to manage communications with the insurance company to protect your rights and your claim.

If I’m using the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefit from my own insurance company, they’ll treat me better, right?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Whether you’ve been with your insurance company for one month, one year, ten years, or three decades it doesn’t make a difference. The adjuster for your insurance company is going to treat you the same as if you were not their insured.

The claims adjuster works for the insurance company. Their primary responsibility is to minimize the amount of money their employer — the insurance company pays out for bills related to your car accident.

Insurance companies make money and maintain profitability in two ways — through the premiums you pay for your auto insurance, and minimizing what they pay out for auto accident claims.

When an adjuster is talking to you about your claim — no matter how nice they are in their communications with you they’re always wearing the hat of their employer.

To protect your rights and your personal injury claim, don’t mistake the friendly way the adjuster handles their contact with you. It’s important that you don’t confide in them like you would with a family member or a friend who is genuinely concerned about your recovery and wellbeing.

Many adjusters are very nice people. Just remember they’re responsibility is to the company that employs them and fulfilling their role to protect their employer’s profitability.

It is easier said than done to keep your answers short and not offer unasked-for information. We don’t typically talk with people whose interests are not the same as ours and who are asking us questions to use our answers against us. When you have an experienced personal injury attorney representing you, they take over the communication with the insurance company. They know how to navigate the conversations with adjusters to protect you and your personal injury claim.

Whether you’re our client or not, we want to be a bridge of support for you.

We’ve developed a robust library of articles and videos organized into four topics which include our responses to the personal injury claim-related questions we’re asked most often.

• Top 10 Personal Injury Claim Mistakes to Avoid
• What You Need to Know About Your Claim
• How Are My Medical Bills & Wage Loss Paid
• How to Prepare for Your Independent Medical Exam

The articles provide advice and guidelines to help you navigate each phase of the personal injury claims process. Whether we represent you or not, we are passionate about helping you protect your rights, you receiving the medical care you need to recover from your injuries, and having the information you need to avoid mistakes that can harm your personal injury claim.