12 Insurance Company Tricks to Lowball Your Utah Accident Claim

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. Here are the tactics they use - and how to fight back.

🚨 The Insurance Industry's Dirty Secret

Insurance adjusters are trained to save money - not to treat you fairly. They have performance metrics based on how little they pay out. Every dollar they don't pay you is profit for the company.

Fact: Insurance companies made $101 billion in profit in 2023. They didn't make that by being generous with claims.

12 Common Insurance Company Tactics

1. The Recorded Statement Trap

What they do: Within 24 hours of the accident, the adjuster calls asking for a "recorded statement to process your claim."

The trap: They're hunting for statements they can twist against you. "I'm fine" = no injuries. "I didn't see them" = you're at fault.

✓ Counter: You're only required to give a statement to YOUR insurance company. Never give recorded statements to the other driver's insurance without a lawyer.

2. The Quick Settlement Pressure

What they do: Offer a fast settlement ($2,500) within the first week, before you even finish treatment.

The trap: Whiplash symptoms appear 48-72 hours later. Accepting early means you can't reopen the claim when complications arise.

✓ Counter: NEVER settle until you're done treating and know the full extent of injuries. You can't reopen a closed claim.

3. Denying Liability (Blaming You)

What they do: Claim their driver had the green light, you were speeding, or you're partially at fault.

The trap: Utah's comparative negligence law means even 10% fault reduces your settlement. If you're 50%+ at fault, you get nothing.

✓ Counter: Get police report, witness statements, and traffic camera footage. Lawyers can hire accident reconstruction experts.

4. Delaying Your Claim

What they do: Take weeks to respond, request the same documents multiple times, "lose" your paperwork.

The trap: They're hoping you get desperate and accept a low offer. Medical bills pile up, you miss work, you need money now.

✓ Counter: Document everything. Send certified mail. If delays exceed 30 days, file a bad faith complaint with Utah Insurance Department.

5. Minimizing Your Injuries

What they do: "It's just soft tissue damage" or "You only went to a chiropractor, not a real doctor."

The trap: Downplaying injuries to justify low offers. "Soft tissue" can mean chronic pain for years.

✓ Counter: See medical doctors (MD/DO), get X-rays/MRIs, document all symptoms daily. Lawyers bring medical experts to testify.

6. Using Social Media Against You

What they do: Monitor your Facebook, Instagram, TikTok for photos of you "having fun" after the accident.

The trap: "You claim back pain but posted skiing photos!" Context doesn't matter to them.

✓ Counter: Set all social media to private. Don't post anything about the accident or injuries. Assume they're watching.

7. Disputing Medical Treatment

What they do: Claim your treatment was "unnecessary," "excessive," or "not related to the accident."

The trap: Refuse to pay for physical therapy, chiropractic care, or follow-up appointments.

✓ Counter: Follow doctor's orders exactly. If doctor says 12 weeks of PT, do all 12 weeks. Gaps in treatment hurt your case.

8. Claiming Pre-Existing Conditions

What they do: Dig through your medical history to find any prior injuries. "You had back pain in 2018, so this isn't new."

The trap: Attribute all your injuries to pre-existing conditions to deny the claim.

✓ Counter: Doctors can differentiate old injuries from new trauma. Medical records show "acute exacerbation" of prior conditions still qualifies.

9. Lowballing with "Final Offer"

What they do: Make a low offer and claim "This is our final offer, take it or leave it."

The trap: It's NEVER the final offer. They're testing if you'll fold.

✓ Counter: Everything is negotiable. If they won't budge, hire a lawyer. Filing a lawsuit often doubles the offer.

10. Independent Medical Exam (IME) Ambush

What they do: Require you to see "their doctor" for an "independent" exam.

The trap: These doctors are paid by insurance companies and almost always downplay injuries. Not independent at all.

✓ Counter: You're not required to do IME unless they sue you. If forced, bring a witness and record the exam (legal in Utah).

11. Disputing Lost Wages

What they do: Challenge how much work you actually missed. "You could have worked from home."

The trap: Demand excessive documentation to frustrate you into giving up on wage claims.

✓ Counter: Get employer letter confirming dates missed, pay rate, and hours. Tax returns and pay stubs prove income.

12. Policy Limits Lie

What they do: Claim the at-fault driver "only has $25K policy" so that's the max you can get.

The trap: They may not be disclosing umbrella policies, commercial insurance, or other coverage sources.

✓ Counter: Lawyers can demand disclosure of all policies. They can also pursue your own underinsured motorist coverage.

How Lawyers Fight Back

✓ Handle All Communication: No more recorded statements or pressure tactics. Everything goes through the lawyer.
✓ Demand Full Policy Disclosure: Uncover all insurance coverage, including umbrella policies.
✓ Hire Medical Experts: Counter IME with independent doctors who testify to real injury extent.
✓ Document Everything: Professional demand letters with medical timelines, wage loss calculations, and legal precedent.
✓ File Bad Faith Claims: If insurer acts unreasonably, sue them for bad faith - this adds penalties and attorney fees.
✓ File Lawsuits: Once lawsuit filed, insurance companies get serious. Average settlements increase 3-5×.