After an accident in Indiana, you may need to file a claim with Progressive Insurance. How do you negotiate with Progressive Insurance Company to get fair compensation for your financial losses in this situation?
Negotiations require you to collect evidence to support your position and show all the losses you sustained. You must file the appropriate paperwork and submit evidence. You can trust an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to handle this process on your behalf.
Our team at Vaughan & Vaughan has over a century of experience handling insurance companies. We can share advice when you call or complete our online contact form.
Get Prepared Before Negotiating with Progressive
According to facts provided by Progressive, the company has over 21 million policies, so it’s not unusual to find yourself dealing with company representatives after an accident. It’s essential that you review some details about the company before negotiations begin.
You should know that insurance companies like Progressive value their bottom line. To avoid paying compensation, they may try to downplay the severity of your losses or even blame you for an accident.
Therefore, it’s essential that you deal with company representatives carefully. You may even want to hire a lawyer to handle all communications to protect your claim.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
Assess Your Losses Before You Negotiate
Legal professionals recommend assessing all the expenses associated with your accident before negotiating with Progressive. Understanding the scope of your losses makes it easier to evaluate insurance company offers and ensures you’ll recognize a fair deal.
Your expenses may include losses for:
Medical Bills
Progressive may need to cover the costs of your current and future healthcare, including emergency room treatment, medications, and hospital stays. Collect all medical bills and documents provided by doctors to establish these losses.
Lost Wages
You may need time off work to recover after an accident. Progressive may need to cover your lost pay and diminished earning potential. You may provide old pay stubs to establish your average pay and records showing the time you took off when building your claim.
Property Damage
Your accident may result in property damage, especially if you sustained injuries in a motor vehicle collision. Keep records of any repair work and insurance appraisals to present with your claim.
Collect Evidence Before You Open Negotiations
We recommend coming to the negotiating table with evidence that backs up your story about what caused an accident. You can turn to a lawyer for help collecting solid evidence, which could include:
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Official accident reports from the police
- Photos or videos that show the accident
You can hire a personal injury attorney to handle the investigation on your behalf. Law firms have the resources to thoroughly assess all causes of an accident, allowing them to negotiate from a position of strength.
Begin Progressive Negotiations with a Demand Letter
You can negotiate with Progressive Insurance Company by sending the company a demand letter after an accident. The demand letter should provide information about the accident and all the damages caused by the incident.
You can include evidence in the demand letter to support your claim. A lawyer can draft the demand letter on your behalf, including all necessary information, in a professional and precise manner.
After receiving the letter, Progressive has a chance to respond. The insurance company may accept the demand and cover your losses or reject your initial request, leading to a period of negotiations.
What to Expect from Negotiations with Progressive
Insurance company negotiations typically involve a back-and-forth of offers and counteroffers. Your lawyer can review each offer made by Progressive to see if it fairly covers your losses and push back if the company makes subpar suggestions.
It’s very important to avoid signing a settlement agreement without approval from your attorney. Once you sign a deal, it’s much more challenging to seek additional compensation.
A lawyer can help you learn how to maximize insurance claims and settlements in Indiana.
The Time Frame for Negotiations
How long does a personal injury claim take to settle with Progressive? Negotiations with Progressive may take several months to resolve. In some cases, negotiations stretch for over a year if the company tries to stall.
Your attorney can handle these tactics and keep your claim moving.
Do You Have to Negotiate with Progressive?
Negotiating a settlement often represents the best method to secure compensation after an accident. However, insurance companies like Progressive sometimes refuse to engage in good-faith negotiations.
Your lawyer may help you file a personal injury lawsuit in this situation. We can discuss this option if it fits your circumstances.
Speak to Us About Negotiating with Progressive Insurance Company
How do you negotiate with Progressive Insurance Company after an accident? You need to send a demand letter and provide evidence to back up your claim. You’ll also have to provide proof to establish your losses.
An attorney from our team at Vaughan & Vaughan can help throughout the settlement process or assist with a lawsuit. Find out more by calling or completing our online contact form.
