Here are some common tactics insurance companies may use to delay negotiations as the statute of limitations deadline approaches:
Requesting additional documentation and records, even if they already have what they need. This creates extra work that wastes your time.
Slow response time to calls, emails, and settlement offers. Insurance companies may take weeks to respond to extend the negotiation period.
Low-ball initial settlement offers that are well below the estimated value of the claim, knowing the claimant will want to negotiate. This tactic also plays on your need for quick cash during a financial crisis.
Blaming injuries on pre-existing conditions or lack of treatment to diminish liability and settlement value.
Citing ambiguity around certain damages or losses to stall firming up a settlement value.
Negotiating settlement on individual claim elements like medical bills piecemeal over time rather than negotiating a total value all at once.
Offering settlements just below the threshold where the claimant would reasonably want to consider litigation to discourage filing a lawsuit.
Providing settlement offers or responses just before significant deadlines like the statute of limitations to prolong negotiations for as long as possible.