Insurance companies are in the business of making money, which often means paying out as little as possible in claims. In San Antonio, as elsewhere, insurance adjusters undergo specific training to minimize payouts and discourage accident victims from seeking legal representation. Understanding these tactics is crucial for anyone involved in an accident in the San Antonio area.

The Initial Contact: Creating a False Sense of Trust

Insurance adjusters are trained to contact accident victims quickly—often within 24-48 hours of the accident. This isn’t because they’re eager to help. Rather, they want to reach you before you’ve had time to speak with an attorney.

During this initial contact, adjusters use specific psychological techniques. They present themselves as helpful, concerned individuals who want to make the claims process “easy” for you. Many use first names and friendly tones to establish rapport. This facade of friendliness is deliberately calculated to lower your guard and build trust.

Meanwhile, they’re recording your statements and looking for any information they can use to devalue or deny your claim. Remember that in Texas, adjusters can legally record your conversations without informing you, as Texas is a one-party consent state for recordings.

The “You Don’t Need a Lawyer” Script

One of the most common tactics adjusters use is directly telling accident victims they don’t need legal representation. They might say things like:

• “Having a lawyer will just slow down the process.”
• “Lawyers take a large percentage of your settlement.”
• “We can offer you more money without a lawyer involved.”
• “This is a straightforward case; legal help is unnecessary.”

These statements are misleading. Research consistently shows that accident victims who hire attorneys receive significantly higher settlements—often 3-5 times higher—than those who handle claims themselves, even after attorney fees.

The Quick Settlement Tactic

Another common strategy is offering a quick settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known. Texas law gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under the statute of limitations, but adjusters want to close your case long before that deadline.

This is particularly problematic for San Antonio accident victims with certain types of injuries. For example, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and soft tissue injuries may not fully manifest for weeks or months after an accident.

Accepting an early settlement means signing a release that prevents you from seeking additional compensation if your condition worsens or if new injuries become apparent. Once you sign that release, your case is permanently closed regardless of future medical developments.

Downplaying Injuries and Medical Treatment

Insurance adjusters receive training in minimizing the perceived severity of injuries. They may:

• Question why you sought certain treatments
• Suggest your injuries are pre-existing conditions
• Imply that your treatment was excessive or unnecessary
• Use computer programs like Colossus to assign standardized values to injuries regardless of individual circumstances

In San Antonio, with its numerous medical facilities including University Hospital and Methodist Hospital, adjusters are familiar with local treatment patterns and costs. They use this knowledge to challenge the necessity of treatments and their associated costs.

The Delay and Frustrate Strategy

If quick settlement tactics don’t work, many adjusters pivot to the opposite approach: deliberately delaying your claim. This strategy aims to wear you down financially and emotionally.

For San Antonio residents who may be missing work due to injuries and facing mounting medical bills from providers like Baptist Medical Center or CHRISTUS Santa Rosa, these delays can create significant financial pressure. The adjuster hopes this pressure will make you willing to accept a lower settlement just to receive some money.

Information Gathering and Social Media Surveillance

Adjusters are trained to gather as much information as possible about you, including:

• Requesting blanket medical authorizations that give them access to your entire medical history
• Asking for recorded statements without explaining their legal significance
• Monitoring your social media accounts for photos or posts that could contradict your injury claims

In Texas, insurance companies have significant leeway in using social media evidence against claimants. An innocent photo of you at a family gathering in Brackenridge Park could be misrepresented as evidence that your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed.

Using Texas Law Against You

Insurance adjusters receive training in Texas personal injury law, particularly in how certain aspects can be used to reduce your compensation. They’re well-versed in:

• Texas proportionate responsibility laws (Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code), which reduce your compensation in proportion to your assigned fault
• Texas auto insurance minimums ($30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage), which may be insufficient for serious injuries
• Local San Antonio traffic patterns and accident hotspots that might suggest contributory negligence

Adjusters will often try to shift partial blame onto you, even when the evidence clearly shows the other party was at fault. Even a small percentage of assigned fault can significantly reduce your compensation.

The “Attorney Avoidance” Training Manual

While not publicly acknowledged, many insurance companies have specific training modules focused on keeping attorneys out of the claims process. These programs teach adjusters how to:

• Identify which claimants are most likely to seek legal representation
• Target those claimants with enhanced customer service and communication
• Use specific language that discourages attorney involvement without explicitly advising against it
• Build a relationship that makes the claimant feel they would be “betraying” the adjuster by hiring an attorney

Why Insurance Companies Fear Attorney Involvement

Insurance companies invest heavily in these tactics because they know attorneys level the playing field. When San Antonio accident victims hire legal representation:

• Attorneys understand the full value of claims, including non-economic damages like pain and suffering
• Lawyers can accurately calculate future medical expenses and lost earning potential
• Legal teams have experience negotiating with insurance companies and aren’t intimidated by their tactics
• Attorneys can file lawsuits if fair settlements aren’t offered
• Legal representation signals to the insurance company that lowball offers won’t be accepted

San Antonio-Specific Challenges for Accident Victims

San Antonio presents unique challenges for accident victims dealing with insurance adjusters:

• As one of Texas’s fastest-growing cities, San Antonio has seen an increase in traffic accidents, particularly on congested roadways like Loop 1604 and I-35
• The city’s diverse population means many accident victims may face language barriers when dealing with adjusters
• San Antonio’s proximity to military bases means many accident victims are military personnel or dependents, who may face additional complications with insurance claims
• The city’s tourist attractions like the River Walk and the Alamo draw visitors unfamiliar with local traffic patterns, leading to accidents where out-of-state insurance companies become involved

How to Protect Yourself From Adjuster Tactics

If you’ve been in an accident in San Antonio, here are steps to protect yourself from insurance adjuster tactics:

1. Avoid giving recorded statements without legal advice
2. Don’t sign medical authorizations that give blanket access to your records
3. Decline early settlement offers until you understand the full extent of your injuries
4. Be cautious about what you post on social media during your claim
5. Keep detailed records of all communications with insurance representatives
6. Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney before speaking with an adjuster

The Value of Legal Representation for San Antonio Accident Victims

Despite what adjusters may tell you, having legal representation typically results in significantly higher compensation. A study by the Insurance Research Council found that accident victims who hire attorneys receive settlements that are, on average, 3.5 times higher than those who don’t.

For San Antonio residents, having an attorney who understands local courts, medical facilities, and insurance company tactics provides additional advantages. Local attorneys familiar with Bexar County courts and procedures can navigate your claim more effectively than you could on your own.

Conclusion: Knowledge Is Your Best Defense

Insurance adjusters have extensive training in tactics designed to minimize payouts and discourage legal representation. By understanding these strategies, San Antonio accident victims can better protect their rights and interests.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, remember that the insurance adjuster works for the company—not for you. Their job is to save the company money, while your attorney’s job is to get you the full compensation you deserve under Texas law.

Before making decisions about your claim, consider consulting with a personal injury attorney who can provide guidance based on your specific situation and counteract the tactics insurance companies use to undervalue your claim.

Don’t let insurance adjuster training work against you. With the right knowledge and support, you can level the playing field and pursue the compensation you truly deserve for your injuries and losses.