If you’ve been in an accident with someone who has Allstate and they are the cause of the accident, you may need to file an Allstate insurance accident claim to recover money damages. First, however, you must understand what to expect and know the tactics insurers like Allstate use to reduce the value of your claim before you navigate this process on your own.
Allstate is one of the best-known names in auto insurance, but that does not mean they are trustworthy or on your side. No insurer is looking out for your best interests after a crash. Only a car accident attorney will protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve based on the facts of your case.
Understanding the Allstate Insurance Claims Process
The Allstate Corporation has been around since 1931 when it was founded as an insurance arm of Sears, Roebuck, and Co. When their policyholders cause a collision, their liability insurance policies should cover the victims:
- Medical care, current, and future
- Property damages
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other losses up to policy maximums
However, if you were hurt in a crash caused by their policyholder, you will need strong evidence to prove:
- The other driver acted negligently
- This caused the accident
- You suffered financial harm
- The value of the damages you suffered
Not only will you—and your attorney, if you have one – investigate your crash, but so will Allstate. When you file your claim, they will assign a claims adjuster. This adjuster will work with a team internally to determine what caused your crash and who is liable. They will put their value on your case if they decide their policyholder is responsible. Unfortunately, this will likely be much lower than you deserve.
In many cases, you or your attorney will need to negotiate aggressively to secure a fair and appropriate payout based on the facts of the case.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Protecting Your Rights when Dealing with Insurance Adjusters
While the insurance representative handling your claim may seem compassionate and understanding, it is essential that you remember they are working for their employer, not for you. Therefore, they do not want you to get a fair payout. Instead, Allstate has tasked them with minimizing their expenses and settling claims for as little money as possible. This is true of all insurance companies.
To this end, you can expect the adjuster handling your claim to use many tricks and tactics to try to:
- Reduce the value of your claim
- Blame some or all the fault on you
- Minimize the injuries or damages you suffered
To battle this, you must:
- Know what your case is worth and demand a fair settlement
- Be careful about what you say and do
- Refuse a recorded conversation with them
- Protect your rights
- Be willing to sue if necessary
It would be within your best interest to work with a car accident attorney, because they will protect your rights and avoid issues that could potentially harm your case. While they’re handling the case for you, your main priority can be on making a full recovery rather than speaking to the at fault party.
Do I Need to Notify My Insurance Company About the Accident?
Most insurers, including Allstate, require policyholders to notify them of an accident as soon as possible. While your insurance representative may still be more concerned with the company’s bottom line than the compensation you receive, you can report your crash by providing only the basic facts of the case. Decline having your conversation recorded and refrain from going into detail.
If you have full coverage insurance, you can discuss your options with a car accident attorney. Your lawyer will advise you whether you should file a claim based on this coverage, especially when you’ve suffered injuries.
In a property damage-only crash, you may opt to pay the deductible and file a claim when you have collision coverage. Allstate encourages policyholders to use the app or file a claim online. They will pay the estimated value of your car repairs and seek reimbursement of their payment and your deductible from the at-fault driver’s insurer. This process is called subrogation.
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What If I Cannot Get a Fair Settlement from Allstate?
If Allstate and its adjusters refuse to compensate you fairly for your injuries and other damages, your attorney may suggest filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A lawsuit is one step closer to trial, but most cases never go before a judge. Instead, the insurer increases their offer, and the claimant receives an appropriate payout.
Your attorney may also recommend suing if the deadline for filing a lawsuit is getting close. These differ by state. They include:
- Louisiana: One year, Civ. Code Art. 3492
- Alabama: Two years, Code § 6-2-38
- Arkansas: Three years, Code Ann. § 16-56-105
- Mississippi: Three years, Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49
Contact Our Office for Help with Your Allstate Insurance Claim Today
You can learn more about your rights and options for pursuing compensation in your case by contacting the Morris Bart law firm today. We provide complimentary case assessments and work based on a contingency fee. Our service area includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama.
Call (800) 537-8185 now to get started with your free consultation.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
