You need to approach negotiations with the Hartford insurance company from a strategic position. Successful negotiations require you to present evidence that shows the company needs to cover your losses.
You must also provide evidence showing the full extent of your losses that you expect the company to cover after an accident in Indiana. An Indianapolis personal injury lawyer can take care of negotiations on your behalf to increase your chances of getting fair compensation.
Prepare Before You Negotiate With The Hartford
Effectively negotiating with The Hartford requires prior preparation. It’s essential that you understand your policy before you enter negotiations so you know what damages the company should cover following an accident if The Hartford insures you.
Insurance policies often contain a lot of confusing information and terms. An attorney can help you understand your policy and coverage for home and auto insurance. You can make informed decisions during negotiations if you understand your policy.
The Hartford has provided insurance for over 200 years, earning the title of the World’s Most Ethical Company® 14 times throughout its history. However, the company still wants to protect its bottom line, so it’s essential that you get help with negotiations.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
Collect Evidence to Negotiate with Confidence
It’s essential that you collect evidence to back up your claim before you negotiate with The Hartford insurance company. You can use documentation regarding your losses and fault for the accident to hold your ground during negotiations.
The following evidence may help you maximize your insurance claim and settlement in Indiana:
- Statements from witnesses who saw your accident
- Videos or photos from the accident scene
- A copy of the police report
- Testimony or statements from witnesses
- Traffic camera footage
The Hartford often relies on evidence to determine liability during settlement negotiations, so it’s essential that you provide as much proof surrounding the causes of your accident as possible.
A lawyer can handle evidence collection on your behalf, making sure that nothing gets forgotten or left out. Getting help from a legal professional can help you feel more confident about the negotiation process.
Understand Your Losses Before You Negotiate
It’s essential that you have a firm grasp of the losses you sustained before you negotiate with The Hartford insurance company. Knowing how much compensation you need will allow you to assess settlement offers and push back on unfair deals.
You can assess your losses and back up these expenses with proper documentation. You may need to collect:
- All records of your medical treatments
- Bills or estimates for property repairs
- Documentation of the wages you lost
You can also work with a lawyer to determine the value of your non-economic losses, including your emotional pain and mental anguish. Pain and suffering are separate from medical bills and may need to have covered by the insurance company.
Begin Negotiations by Contacting the Insurance Company
You can begin negotiations with The Hartford by contacting the company. You should reach out immediately after an accident if you have a policy with The Hartford. However, if The Hartford represents the at-fault party, we recommend contacting a lawyer first.
Your lawyer may help you create a demand letter to send regarding your claim. The letter should contain:
- The facts of your accident
- Any details regarding who caused your injuries
- Specific information about the losses you sustained
You must stay calm during negotiations. You do not have to handle the negotiation process alone. Instead, you can hire a lawyer to handle all communications with the insurance company.
What Happens After You Begin Negotiations?
Once you open negotiations with a demand letter, you may:
Receive an Initial Offer
The Hartford may respond to your demand letter with an initial settlement offer. Initial offers generally only cover some of your losses. It’s essential to compare the offer to your expenses before you sign any paperwork.
If you take the offer, you generally cannot seek additional compensation. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have a lawyer review it before you make a decision.
Counter the Initial Offer
You can counter the first offer made by The Hartford through negotiations. Your lawyer can send back a counteroffer pushing for higher compensation and backed by evidence that demonstrates all of your losses.
Lawyers know that insurance companies may take advantage of you. The company may try to:
- Stall the settlement process
- Downplay your losses
- Blame you for the accident
Your lawyer can counter these tactics and explain how to negotiate with The Hartford insurance company.
Finalize a Settlement
After you reach agreeable terms through negotiations, you can finalize your settlement. You’ll need to confirm settlement details and sign all appropriate release forms. Make sure your attorney reviews these documents before you sign anything.
Note that if The Hartford will not engage in fair negotiations, your lawyer may also help you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Hire Us for Negotiations With The Hartford
How do you negotiate with The Hartford insurance company? You begin negotiations by sending a demand letter after reviewing your losses and collecting evidence. You need to review all offers made by the company and push back if they don’t offer you enough compensation.
You can hire a personal injury lawyer from our team at Vaughan & Vaughan to handle this process on your behalf. We have over 110 years of experience and are ready to assist you.
Call or complete our online contact form to learn more.
