While dozens of auto insurers write policies in Texas, Progressive easily has the highest market share among all of them at over 16%, collecting almost $500 million more in premiums than its distant second-place counterpart, State Farm.
Despite its seeming success, though, Progressive continually receives below-average ratings with regard to customer and claims satisfaction, according to J.D. Power.
The simple truth is that not many people like Progressive, be they the brand’s customers or the people they crash into. That’s a reputation that the agency garnered, in part, because of how aggressively it negotiates with people who file Progressive claims.
The Progressive Claims Process
Texas requires all vehicle owners to purchase a liability insurance policy, which itself must include at least $30,000 per person and up to $60,000 per accident for bodily injury claims. It must also include at least up to $25,000 to cover property damage claims.
In other words, if you were injured in a car accident, and the driver has coverage, you would be able to seek compensation from the driver’s insurer for up to $30,000 in losses. If you were one of multiple people who sustained injuries in the accident, the insurer will pay up to $60,000 total, with no victim receiving more than $30,000.
In either case, if the driver has a Progressive policy, that’s the company you’ll be dealing with. Your claim will explain what happened and provide supporting documents like medical records and bills.
Progressive will then assign a claims adjuster to review your documents and investigate the case. That usually includes talking to the covered driver and any witnesses, as well as examining the official crash report and any photos of the crash scene.
Upon concluding their analysis, the adjuster will make a decision on the claim based on their findings. Should Progressive accept the claim, you and your auto accident attorney can then proceed to negotiate a settlement with the company.
It’s important to note, however, that the adjuster can (and may very well) deny the claim to save Progressive money. You and your lawyer can respond to a claim denial with evidence and legal arguments.
Negotiating Tips for Settling Progressive Claims
Taking the following steps can help improve your negotiating position:
Do Not Speak to Progressive Without Your Lawyer
One of the first points of contact you’ll have with Progressive will likely be a phone call from the adjuster shortly after the crash. They will ask you to give a recorded statement, possibly even stating that doing so will speed up your claim.
A recorded statement is what it sounds like: The adjuster will ask questions regarding the accident and your injuries, and record your answers. Nevertheless, you should politely decline to give such a statement. Adjusters are trained to conduct these statements to try to dig up anything that they can use against you, no matter how minute.
For example, suppose that you injure your back in a crash. The adjuster might ask if you had ever experienced back pain before or even something as seemingly superfluous as where the sun was in the sky when the crash happened. These questions and details could open the door for the adjuster to deny your claim.
Adjusters tend to act quickly to request recorded statements so they can gather such information before you hire an auto accident lawyer. But in actuality, a statement from you is unnecessary; the adjuster can more than likely process your claim without it.
If you have essential information to provide Progressive, your lawyer can send it for you or sit in during a brief call with the adjuster.
Seek Medical Attention
You should seek medical attention for any injuries you suffered. Your doctor will produce medical records that include your diagnosis and treatment plan, thus verifying that you did not exaggerate your injuries. Your records will also show how much you paid for past treatment and how much you will need for any future treatment, making it much more likely that the adjuster will have no choice but to accept your claim.
Document Your Costs and Losses
Your claim can include more than your medical bills, such as lost wages and out-of-pocket expenses. You should document every cost you incur as a result of your injuries. Negotiating a fair settlement will be easier when you have documents to back up the compensation you seek.
Understand the Value of Your Claim
You should discuss the value of your claim early on in your representation. The settlement offers Progressive makes at the beginning of their negotiations will almost always undervalue your losses, accomplishing two of the insurer’s goals.
First, Progressive (like other insurers) hopes that claimants will accept these low offers, as doing so will save the brand a lot of money. Second, even if the claimant rejects the offer, a low offer leaves the adjuster room to negotiate.
If you understand the value of your claim, you will, understandably, not jump at the first offer. Instead, you will have the patience to wait for a good offer, and that will pay off when your lawyer uses your documentation to prove you deserve more than Progressive initially offers.
FAQ
How Can a Lawyer Help Negotiate a Settlement?
Lawyers use their experience and skills to negotiate settlements. Experience tells a lawyer what they can get and which arguments will likely succeed, and their negotiating skills allow them to present their arguments in a way that will persuade the adjuster to offer more.
How Do I Negotiate for More From Progressive?
If you provide your lawyer with solid documentation of your injuries and the resulting losses, your lawyer has a good chance of negotiating for more after the initial offer from Progressive.
What Is a Good Settlement Figure?
A good settlement will cover your economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses encompass the financial impact of your injuries. Non-economic losses include the effects of your injuries on your quality of life.
Contact Us to Learn More About Settling Your Case
Insurance companies like Progressive are almost certain to undervalue your claim, even when liability is clear. Contact Ramsey Law Group today to learn how we can help you negotiate Progressive claims.