How Insurance Companies Try to Pay You Less
Hi, I’m Shane Smith from Shane Smith Law.
When we handle injury cases, we see the same strategy over and over again from insurance companies.
It comes down to three words:
Deny. Delay. Defend.
Here’s what that really means for you.
Deny
“You don’t have a valid claim.”
The first move is often to deny responsibility altogether.
They may argue:
- The accident was your fault
- You should have reacted differently
- You were speeding or distracted
- Liability is “unclear”
Even when the facts seem obvious, they look for any angle to avoid paying.
👉 If they can deny the claim early, they pay nothing.
Delay
“Let’s drag this out.”
If they can’t deny it outright, the next step is to slow everything down.
This can look like:
- Not returning calls or emails
- Repeatedly asking for the same documents
- Taking weeks or months to respond
- Making low offers and waiting
Why?
Because delay creates pressure.
- Bills start piling up
- You may miss work
- Stress increases
And eventually, many people feel forced to settle for less just to move on.
👉 Delay is designed to wear you down.
Defend
“Let’s fight it in court.”
If the case doesn’t settle, they move to full defense mode.
That means:
- Hiring attorneys to fight the claim
- Challenging your injuries
- Attacking your medical treatment
- Arguing prior injuries or unrelated causes
They often recycle the same arguments from earlier:
- “You weren’t really hurt”
- “Your treatment was excessive”
- “Your injuries came from something else”
👉 The goal is to reduce what they owe, even if it means a long fight.
Why This Matters
This strategy is not random.
It’s designed to:
- Minimize payouts
- Create doubt
- Push you into a lower settlement
If you understand these tactics early, you’re in a much better position to protect your case.
The Bottom Line
Insurance companies are businesses.
Their job is not to be fair.
Their job is to pay as little as possible.
That’s why you see:
- Deny the claim
- Delay the process
- Defend the case
If you feel like this is happening in your case, or you’re not getting straight answers please speak with your attorney.
You can request our free Victim’s Survival Guide to Car Accidents here:
👉 https://www.shanesmithlaw.com/car-accident-victim-survival-guide/
Or visit:
👉 https://www.shanesmithlaw.com/
In pain? Call Shane.
📞 980-999-9999
