By Jude 
Insurance companies don’t want you to know that their main goal after a crash is to save money, not to help you recover fully. While they advertise that they are on your side, the truth is that they often use tactics to pay you much less.
Residents in Sacramento often find themselves forced to deal with insurance companies after a crash, and that is when the real challenges begin. With freeways like the I-5 and Highway 99 combined with constant heavy city traffic, road accidents are all too common here. Without a lawyer, many victims in Sacramento end up pressured into fast settlements or left waiting while their claims are delayed.
With one, the chances of recovering fair compensation are much higher. This is why many Sacramento crash victims turn to a Jacoby & Meyers Sacramento accident lawyer.
What Do Insurance Companies Hope You Don’t Notice?
Here are some of the secrets they keep and hope you don’t find out:
They Won’t Take You Seriously Without a Lawyer
Insurance adjusters often try to decrease payouts by following the three Ds: Delay, Deny, and Defend. If you try to handle the claim yourself, they may delay responding, offer less money, or even ignore your calls.
They know you don’t understand all the rules and loopholes, and they use that against you.
With an attorney, they know they can’t play games as easily because someone experienced is watching over the process.
Recorded Statements Are a Trap
One of the first things adjusters ask for is a recorded statement. They say it’s just to get the facts. In reality, they want you to say something that can later be twisted against you.
Even simple comments like “I feel okay” or “I didn’t see the light” can be used to lower or deny your claim. You are not legally required to give them a recorded statement right away, and it’s always safer to talk to a lawyer first.
You Have Other Legal Options
Insurance companies want you to think their settlement is the only money available. That’s not true. If the crash caused serious injuries or major losses, you can sue the at-fault driver directly. In some cases, you may even recover more than the insurance limits.
This is something adjusters never want to tell you, because it means you could get far more than they’re offering.
They Don’t Control Where You Get Repairs
Insurance companies push their preferred repair shops. They make it sound like you don’t have a choice. But you do. In California, you can take your car anywhere you want for repairs. Their shops may save them money, but that doesn’t guarantee the best parts or work for you.
The First Offer Is Never Fair
Almost never. Their first offer is a lowball. It won’t cover long-term medical costs, time off work, or pain and suffering. They count on you being overwhelmed, so you’ll just sign. But if you wait and calculate everything properly, you’ll often see that the real value of your claim is much higher.
Your Location Plays a Role
Sacramento’s insurance premiums are already higher than in many smaller towns. This is because of the city’s accident rates, traffic patterns, and theft numbers. Insurers know Sacramento drivers file more claims, so they charge more.
After an accident, they become even more aggressive in limiting payouts to protect their bottom line in such a high-claim area.
Moving just outside Sacramento can even change what you pay for insurance because of different traffic patterns and local accident rates. That’s why location plays such a big role in how insurance companies handle you after a crash.