Progressive Car Accident Claim Secrets in Texas

As one of the leading car accident insurance companies in the U.S., you might think that Progressive Insurance would be quick to pay up in the event of an accident —all those ads on TV say how great they are, after all!

Unfortunately, the truth can be far from this.

Many people experience delays with Progressive car accident claims at a time when they desperately need to pay accident-related expenses and bills. This leads to many victims settling for less than they’re entitled to, which is precisely what the insurance company wants.

The unfortunate reality is that insurance companies are out to please shareholders rather than the people that claim from them. And, like with many car accident insurance companies, it’s easy to buy a policy from Progressive Insurance but getting what you deserve after a car accident is far harder.

Being prepared for the tricks played by insurance companies will help. Here are a few secrets that you need to know before you make a personal injury claim with Progressive in Houston.

Learn More → State Farm Accident Claim Secrets in Texas

Progressive’s #1 priority is profit — not you!

Progressive Insurance covers over 15 million vehicles in the United States and the company’s annual revenue for 2021 was $47.7 billion. That’s an 11.82 percent increase from 2020.

But the profit and revenues are never enough.

With large insurance companies, the number one priority is always shareholders. Making money trumps looking after victims of car accidents.

If the company can make more money by providing a better service for clients, most people would accept that but, with insurance settlements, the interests of the company are in direct competition with those of the victim. So, adjusters will always look to limit and minimize the amount of compensation payable — and that’s bad news for you if you’re waiting on a fair payout.

The best way to even up the odds and show that you won’t be bullied into a lower claim than you deserve is to hire a tenacious personal injury lawyer who will fight for your rights.

Learn More → How to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Texas

You should expect underhand settlement negotiation strategies

If one of their clients was at fault for an auto accident, you should expect a call from Progressive Insurance quite soon after the accident.

Often, the company will make a very low offer. Believe it or not, some people accept it. Make sure you don’t — without checking first with a qualified accident injury lawyer — or you may sign away your right to fair compensation at a later date.

Insurance companies use this negotiation strategy to get away with low payments for unsuspecting accident victims, leaving them to pay for any bills that the payment fails to cover.

Adjusters may try to invalidate, reduce or dismiss the extent of your injuries and medical expenses by claiming a pre-existing condition or playing down the level of pain you’ve suffered — thereby potentially reducing the amount of compensation due.

Underhand tactics also include monitoring social media activity or hiring private investigators to disprove claims of pain and suffering.

A qualified accident injury lawyer will know what your claim is worth and will handle all negotiations with Progressive adjusters. This ensures you don’t get caught by one of their negotiation tactics and end up footing the bill.

You can increase compensation by filing a lawsuit

What Progressive Insurance adjusters don’t want you to know is that by filing a lawsuit, you can increase the level of compensation.

By hiring an attorney and filing a lawsuit, you will show Progressive that you will not be lowballed on a settlement.

Often, an initial offer is greatly increased as soon as it becomes clear that you’ve taken legal advice.

Most insurance companies want to avoid the costs of litigation and the vast majority of personal injury cases never make it to trial.

It can be tempting to settle for less than you deserve when medical bills are mounting but patience often pays. By seeking the skills and experience of a personal injury lawyer who is prepared to litigate, you will usually end up with more compensation in your pocket in the end.

Progressive even low-balls its own clients

You already know how Progressive lowballs compensation claims when their client was at fault for an accident.

Well, the same tactics are used against their own clients — even those who have paid their uninsured motorist insurance/PIP premiums for years.

Claims filed for injuries sustained in an accident with an uninsured/underinsured motorist or a PIP claim to help cover medical bills are seldom quick and easy. Progressive adjusters will question liability, create delays, reduce claims or even deny claims outright — all in a bid not to pay their own clients and to protect the bottom line!

Some clients even need to file a lawsuit against their own insurance company for an unpaid PIP or uninsured motorist claim.

You don’t need to agree to a recorded statement

Another favorite tactic of Progressive Insurance loss adjusters is to try to use your own words against you when assessing a claim.

They often ask for a recorded statement from you to speed up their “investigation process” and expedite your claim. The real intention is to try to catch you out when they cross-reference with the police and medical reports. Simple statements can also be twisted by their experienced legal team.

During a recorded interview, the insurance rep will likely ask a series of leading questions, trying to uncover inconsistencies in your answers as they try to shift liability.

Despite being pressured into agreeing to provide this recorded statement, there is no legal requirement to do so. It is generally best to refuse and to let your personal injury lawyer handle all communications.

Insurance adjusters play on the financial pressures of accident victims

As heartless as it may sound, insurance loss adjusters play on the financial pressures and insecurities of accident victims to reduce compensation payments.

The pressure to pay medical expenses, repair bills and other monthly bills after an accident can be enormous. This is especially so for serious injuries, when the victim may not be able to work for weeks or months afterwards.

The Progressive Insurance adjusters know this and may use it to pressure you into a quick (and low) settlement. They may tell you that if you don’t accept it, you’ll be waiting a lot longer with no guarantee of any more money.

You can achieve a lot with one initial discussion with an accident injury lawyer, who can assess the true value of your claim and start the fight for fair compensation.

Insurance adjusters assume you don’t know the value of your injuries

Insurance adjusters know that most people who don’t consult a personal injury lawyer don’t know the real value of their injuries after an accident.

When you file an insurance claim, you must include an amount you’re seeking for your losses (the “demand”). Adding up medical bills, repair bills and so on only tells half the story. You can also claim for time off work and non-economic losses like pain and suffering that are much harder to put a price on.

Insurance companies know that, unless you have consulted a personal injury lawyer, you may underestimate what you are due and so will try to lowball you with a settlement early on. If you sign, it’s too late to re-open the claim when you realize you should have claimed much more.

At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, PLLC, we know Progressive and other car accident insurance companies put their own interests first but we are ready for their strategies and can help you claim what you deserve.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Houston and need to make a Progressive Insurance claim, contact DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, PLLC today for a free consultation to evaluate your case. Call us directly at (832) 745-4878 .

We will assess whether your claim can be successful, inform you of your legal options and be happy to answer your questions.