Denying a claim
ICBC adjusters will often deny valid ICBC claims by quoting company policies that do no stand up in court. We recommend that you do not take your claim advice from the person who stands to benefit the most from it (your ICBC adjuster). If your ICBC claim has been denied, we always encourage getting a second opinion from a lawyer.
Discouraging legal advice/pretending they’re acting for you
ICBC adjusters prefer that they are the ones that advise you on your rights. If they provide misleading information, or omit information about your rights that might be useful, it does not matter once you sign a legally binding settlement contract.
Did you know that once you involve a lawyer in your ICBC claim, it is automatically sent up the ranks to a more senior adjuster who will present a new settlement offer to your lawyer?
Cutting off funding for medical care
Financial manipulation is a classic ICBC negotiation tactic. An injury often causes a loss of income and an increase in medical expenses. Your recovery process requires that you attend all recommended medical treatments such as massage therapy, physiotherapy and chiropractor visits. These medical expenses can add up quickly when you attend a few appointments a week.
ICBC initially covers the cost of these medical appointments. However, as your claim drags on, your adjuster might withdraw financial support in an attempt to encourage you to settle your claim.
Make sure you understand how ICBC uses financial hardship to their benefit:
- Making sure you get the ongoing care you need
- Manipulating Claimants with a Little Financial Squeeze
Lowball offers
ICBC makes lowball offers to take advantage of the fact that you don’t know what your claim is worth. Starting really low gives the illusion that you’ve “won” when you are able to negotiate multiple times their initial offer. Even when ICBC quadruples their initial offer, the settlement is likely nowhere near the true value of the claim.
- ICBC Negotiation tactics: Lowball offers ICBC offered $8,000 and we settled for over $800,00
- Injury claims a matter of pain
