USAA insures more than 12 million people in the United States, and its assets are in excess of $1 billion. Many Americans believe that USAA insures only active and retired military personnel. That’s not true. USAA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and like any auto insurance company, it’s only in business for profut. Here are 10 things that you need to know about USAA.
1) USAA Isn’t a Not-for-Profit Corporation
USAA solicits active and retired military personnel and their families, but in no sense is it run by the federal government. It’s like any other car insurance company. It makes money by collecting premiums and paying out as little as possible or even nothing on claims. It’s more interested in its bottom line than it is with accident victims.
2) The USAA Adjuster Isn’t Your Friend
USAA adjusters are there to mitigate losses for their employer, and not to make you whole again. If you have a personal injury claim against a USAA policyholder, never give USAA a written or recorded statement. It will only try to use your own words against you in the future to either mitigate its losses or deny your claim in its entirety. California law doesn’t require an adverse claimant to give USAA a statement.
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3) Delaying Your Claim
Frustrating and exhausting you are all part of the process in defending a claim against somebody who is insured by USAA. That strategy forces many personal injury USAA claimants to wait a long time and to settle cheaply. Your adjuster might even discourage you from retaining an attorney.
4) Lowballing You
USAA doesn’t really care if your outstanding medical bills have been sent out to collection agencies. Then, when you call or write your adjuster to advise of this, your call or letter is likely to be ignored. Ignoring you is part of defending your claim and making you desperate. That tactic compels many injury victims to settle cheap and early.
5) A Higher Amount of Compensation Can be Obtained
A “final offer” of settlement by USAA isn’t final. Far more reasonable compensation for an injured victim’s injuries and damages is probably available. It’s unlikely that he or she will obtain that though without the benefit of an experienced and aggressive Los Angeles car accident lawyer.
6) USAA Doesn’t Like Courtrooms
If a personal injury lawsuit is filed against a USAA policyholder, the risk off loss increases for the insurer. You’ll be in need of a dedicated and effective Los Angeles car accident attorney to get the insurer’s attention. You have no idea of what you’re doing in a personal injury courtroom. Without a quality and effective Los Angeles car accident attorney, you’re at an insurmountable legal disadvantage.
7) The Statute of Limitations
California law requires you to file your personal injury lawsuit within two years of the date of your accident. If you fail to file make a timely filing, it’s highly likely that a judge will dismiss your case. USAA doesn’t care if that statute of limitations runs while you’re waiting for answers or an offer of settlement.
8) Your Evidence
Over the course of two years, evidence might not be in the same condition as it was when it was fresh. The recollections of witnesses might get fuzzy. Witnesses might even disappear into thin air. You don’t know how to preserve evidence in a personal injury case. A quality Los Angeles personal injury lawyer knows how to perpetuate evidence in your favor.
9) You’ll Make Mistakes Along the Way
Early in the claim process, you can expect the adjuster from USAA to try and lull you into a false sense of trust and security. Then, you’re likely to make mistakes that can be used against you in the future. The possibility of making such mistakes is eliminated when you retain a quality Los Angeles personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
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10) Don’t Relinquish Control
When you’re unrepresented, you give an opposing insurer control of a case. Instead, give an experienced and dedicated Los Angeles car accident attorney control. Doing so will be far less stressful while also increasing your chances of a favorable resolution of your claim.
Contact a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Today
Contact our law firm once you learn that the person who is responsible for your injuries and damages is insured by USAA. We know their tricks and can help you avoid costly mistakes. Act quickly and carefully, filing deadlines approach rapidly.
Allen Vaysberg practices personal injury law and works tirelessly to defeat the tactics of insurance companies and large corporations who try to deny justice and fair compensation to injured people.
