Do adjusters deliberately delay their responses?
Here’s the situation: A national car repair chain ruined my engine during what was supposed to be a straightforward oil change. After two months, their insurance finally compensated me, but the dealership replacing the engine discovered additional damage, so we need to file a supplement. Now, the adjuster is taking increasingly longer to respond to my emails. It’s been a whole week since I asked a simple question about where to send the supplement. Is this a deliberate tactic, or is she just overwhelmed with work?
It sounds incredibly frustrating to deal with such a situation, especially after your car was damaged during what should have been a routine service. While it can be difficult to determine the exact motivations behind an adjuster’s response times, there are a few possibilities:
Workload: It’s possible the adjuster is genuinely overworked, especially if they are handling a high volume of claims. Insurance adjusters often manage many cases at once, and delays in communication can stem from being stretched too thin.
Claims Process: The claims process can sometimes be slow, as there are many steps and approvals required, especially for supplement claims. The adjuster might be waiting on information from other departments or higher-ups before they can respond.
Communication Style: Some adjusters may have a slower communication style, either due to their workload or personal work habits. This isn’t uncommon in the insurance industry.
Intentional Delay: While it’s less likely, some adjusters might intentionally delay responses for various reasons, including attempting to settle claims for less than what the claimant deserves.
It might be worth trying to contact a supervisor or a different representative at the insurance company to get clearer guidance and ensure your supplement claim is processed in a timely manner. Keeping thorough records of all correspondence can also be helpful if further issues arise.