How to Negotiate and Settle Allstate Insurance Claims in Texas

Filing an insurance claim in Texas with a company such as Allstate can be difficult. Insurance companies must pay for your damages out of their own funds, so some claims adjusters may find ways to reduce your settlement amount. If you suffered severe injuries in a car accident, the offered settlement amount may not cover all your damages. However, obtaining legal representation and preparing for negotiations beforehand can increase your chances of a successful claim.

How to File an Allstate Insurance Claim

Texas is a fault car insurance state. This means that if you suffer injuries in a car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance will need to pay for your damages. If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or adequate coverage, you can file a claim with your own company by purchasing additional uninsured driver coverage.

Filing an Allstate claim is a relatively straightforward process.

  • First, file your claim with Allstate. The company will assign you a case number to help you track its progress.
  • Next, a claims adjuster will contact you to discuss your losses. He or she will discuss the process and answer questions you may have.
  • The claims adjuster will then assess the damage and provide you with a settlement estimate.
  • The claims adjuster will review the settlement estimate and discuss the amount with you.
  • Finally, the claims adjuster will send final payments and answer any leftover questions.

However, this process gives little room for you to argue for a higher settlement amount or conduct a personal investigation. It is important for you to calculate your damages independently. It is not in the claims adjuster’s best interest to provide you with the maximum possible amount.

If you do not receive the amount you need to recover, you could lose even more funds trying to stay ahead of medical bills, property damage, and more. You can choose to enter into these negotiations alone or you can obtain a personal injury attorney to negotiate on your behalf.

Tips for Your Allstate Negotiation Process

If you decide to enter into your insurance claim with Allstate alone, you should take certain steps to increase your chances of a successful outcome. Entering into a negotiation unprepared can leave you with less funds than what you need to recover from your injuries.

  • Read your insurance policy. Allstate will have regulations on which damages you can claim and may set limits on the amount of funds you can collect.
  • Calculate your damages before the negotiation. Tally up all potential losses, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and ongoing treatment costs.
  • Determine the highest and lowest settlement amounts you will accept. If the claims adjuster does not provide you with an offer within this range, prepare yourself to end the negotiation.
  • Do not accept the first amount that the adjuster offers you. As tempting as it may be to accept the funds and move forward, the settlement may not cover everything you need it to. As a result, your out-of-pocket costs will increase, and you will have limited options to receive more funding.

It is your claims adjuster’s job to minimize your settlement amount to save Allstate money. Without proper research, documentation, and negotiation skills, you could lose the funds that you need to recover from your injuries. However, obtaining the services of a car accident attorney can boost your chances of settlement success.

Legal representation at the insurance negotiating table is incredibly beneficial.

  • An attorney can help you calculate and document your damages.
  • An attorney has access to a network of medical, legal, and insurance-related resources and experts to help craft a compelling argument for a greater settlement.
  • An attorney has the negotiating skills necessary to argue for a higher settlement.

For the best results, obtain the services of a Dallas car accident attorney for your Texas Allstate claim.