MEME CORNER In reality, working with an attorney increases your chances of walking away with a higher settlement — one that may cover most or all of your accident-related costs. The Insurance Research Council found that those who hired an attorney settled for an average of 3 1/2 times more than those without one. As a result, you might not fully understand your rights under the provisions of your policy, putting you at a disadvantage during a claim. Alternatively, you might think you’re fully covered under a certain provision, such as underinsured or uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage, when your coverage is not as extensive as you thought. This is why it’s so important to understand the terms of your policy. Review it yearly and if you have questions about your coverage, you can speak to an attorney who will walk you through your policy. They won’t recommend that you hire an attorney . When you hire an attorney to work on your claim, insurance companies are put at a disadvantage. If you tell an insurance adjuster that you’re thinking about hiring an attorney, they may try to convince you not to go through with it. They may tell you that an attorney is too expensive or that they will take most of your settlement.
2 Ways Insurance Companies
Work Against Your Best Interest
In this month’s cover article, we brought up the question, “Can a personal injury case be reopened once it’s settled or gone to trial?” This question (for which the answer is usually “no”) highlights the fact that, sometimes, an individual will work through an insurance claim process by themselves, only to be unhappy with the results later on. It’s not uncommon for individuals to settle too early and be left with huge bills for further medical care administered after the settlement. Insurance companies prefer for you to settle early because generally, it allows them to settle for a lower amount, which is a win for them. Beyond that, insurance companies employ a number of tactics to get you through their claim system and out the door. Here are two common examples: They don’t recap your insurance coverage. Do you know everything in your auto insurance policy? Many people don’t. Your insurer may have sent you a packet with all the fine print, but a lot of people don’t read every word or fully understand all the terms. When working through a claim, some claims adjusters don’t take the time to walk you through the fine print to help you understand the details.
Cooking With Ashley
EASY STUFFED SWEET POTATOES
Who says a loaded potato has to clog your arteries? In this healthy version that serves four, a sweet potato base is topped with fiber-rich bean salsa.
Ingredients
• •
4 medium sweet potatoes
• • • • •
1 tsp cumin
1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp coriander
3/4 tsp salt
• •
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions
1. With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes. 3. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside. 4. Add a scoop of sour cream to each potato, garnish with cilantro, and serve!
3
www.matthewkoneckypa.com
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Made with FlippingBook Proposal Creator