One of the inherent risks of driving is that at some point you may find yourself in an auto accident.
Although it is a common occurrence, auto accidents are overwhelming and a great source of stress. One would think that with insurance coverage, accidents would be less of a nightmare. Unfortunately, with some insurance companies, namely Allstate Insurance Company, it is only the beginning of a potentially very lengthy process.
In fact, Allstate Insurance was once named the number one worst insurer by the American Association of Justice.
If you are in an auto accident and Allstate Insurance is the carrier, read on for more information on how to navigate filing a claim against Allstate as well as information of when to reach out to one of the many dedicated lawyers at Florin|Roebig that are ready to assist you with your needs.
About Allstate Insurance Company
Allstate insurance was initially founded in 1931 as a part of Sears, Roebuck & Co and became a publicly traded company in 1993. In 1995 Allstate became a completely independent company.
It is one of the largest insurance companies handling approximately six million claims a year totaling roughly $15 billion in claim payouts. In 2019, Allstate had a 4th Quarter revenue of $11.47 billion. Allstate operates in all 50 states and offers auto, home, renters, condo, motorcycle, business, life, roadside, identity, boat, motorhome, off-road, pet, event and landlord insurance coverage.
Allstate’s recognizable slogan is “you’re in good hands,” however when it comes to assisting customers in time of need, it is not always the case. Allstate has a long history of claims adjusters presenting consumers with lowball settlement offers, employing a hardened “take it or leave it” approach which leaves many consumers longing for relief.
What To Do If You Are In A Car Accident
After you are in a car accident, one of the first things you should do is check yourself and passengers for injuries. The next step is to call 911. While waiting for emergency personnel to arrive, exchange insurance information, as well as contact information with the driver(s) of any other vehicle(s) involved.
It is very important to take pictures of the vehicle(s) to record any property damage. Additionally, it is imperative to see a doctor. Even if you do not have any obvious injuries and think you are fine, there is a possibility that in a matter of hours, days, or even a week later, the initial shock and adrenaline will wear off and you will begin to actually notice and feel the injuries.
If you do not see a doctor right away, when it is time to file your claim and include medical bills, it will be considerably more difficult to ascertain whether any medical issues that arose and are seeking compensation for are actually a result of the car accident as opposed to a different cause. After the initial doctor visit, if a treatment plan has been established, stick to that plan and make a diligent effort to attend any and all follow up appointments as required.
Even if it is tempting, avoid posting on social media about the accident.
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The Allstate Auto Insurance Claims Process
The claims process is relatively straight forward. First, you file your claim online and you will receive a claim number in order to track your claim. Next, is the damage evaluation where your claims adjuster will walk you through your estimate and repair choices in order to better assess the level of damage. This is also the step where you would submit photos of vehicular damage, if eligible.
Following the damage evaluation, you will receive a repair estimate as well as additional information about your claim settlement which will be based in large part on the terms and conditions set forth in your insurance policy. After reviewing the estimate, the next step is getting your vehicle repaired.
Consumers have the option of getting their car repaired with an independent mechanic or with an auto repair shop in the Allstate Good Hands Repair Network. The final step is to receive the claim settlement, which Allstate will either send the money to you or directly to the repair shop.
Subpar Settlement Offers From Allstate
If you receive either a low offer settlement or a denial, it is time to reach out to an attorney. Unfortunately with Allstate, lowball offers are standard operating procedure thanks to Colossus. Originally licensed and used by Allstate, although now utilized by several insurance carriers, Colossus is a computer software program that calculates settlement values for car accident claims.
Some factors that Colossus considers when calculating claim offers are the age of the claimant, as well as the nature and severity of the injury among other things. In its attempt to standardize the claims process, Colossus’ formulaic approach leads to the normalization of lowball initial settlement offers. Furthermore, Colossus’ approach does not account for pain and suffering that usually accompanies personal injury claims.
It is important to note that even after retaining an attorney to sue Allstate in response to the lowball settlement offer or outright claim denial, it may still take a while before Allstate presents a better offer. In fact, there are occasions where claimants have to wait until the eve of trial before a more satisfactory claim is offered.
This is due largely in part to the fact that Allstate claims adjusters want to make the process as drawn out and complex as possible in the hopes of getting the claimant to feel as if they have no choice but to accept the low offer or risk no recovery at trial whatsoever.
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Contact The Florin|Roebig Law Firm
After reading this article, if you feel as if any of this information resonates and you would like to further consider your options, reach out to Florin|Roebig for a free consultation.
Large auto insurance companies have plenty of claims adjusters and attorneys on their side to ensure that you walk away with the least amount of money possible. The dedicated lawyers at Florin|Roebig will be on your side to look at all documentation and analyze all available evidence, including but not limited to the claims report, photos and videos from the accident, medical records, as well as the police report in order to reach a more favorable settlement. Call today.
