How to Haggle with your Insurance Adjustor

At Paragon Auto & Collision, we haggle with the insurance adjustors all the time to ensure our clients get the best rates possible. Here's 10 simple points you can consider next time you are trying to get the best rate from your Insurance Adjustor.

1. Do not accept the first offer

The first settlement is almost always a baseline, not the ceiling. Adjusters are trained to start low and wait for pushback. Politely state that the offer does not fully cover the loss and that you are requesting a review. Silence and patience often work in your favor.

2. Ask for written justification

Request that the adjuster explain, in writing, how they calculated the estimate or payout. This forces them to reference labor rates, parts classifications, depreciation, and policy language. Written explanations are easier to challenge than verbal ones.

3. Use repair estimates from reputable shops

Independent, well-reviewed repair facilities often write more accurate estimates than insurer software. Submitting a professional estimate gives you leverage, especially when it highlights missing operations, OEM procedures, or safety related steps. It may help you to obtain multiple estimates.

4. Reference OEM repair procedures

Manufacturers publish repair standards for a reason. When an estimate omits required steps, cite the OEM documentation and ask the adjuster to explain why those procedures are being excluded. Safety language changes the tone of the negotiation. The OEM Documentation may be provided by your collision shop.

5. Push back on “Market Rates”

Adjusters often justify low labor rates by citing “Market Rates" You can counter by asking which shops were used to calculate that rate and whether those shops meet the same quality, certification, or warranty standards as your chosen repair facility.

6. Separate policy language from company policy

Adjusters may say something is “not covered,” when it is actually “not preferred.” Ask them to show where the exclusion exists in your policy. If it is not written in the contract, it is negotiable. Most parts may be covered, especially if you have negotiated "Aftermarket Endorsement" previously. Avoid emotional arguments. Focus on facts: safety, documentation, policy wording, and industry standards. Adjusters respond better to clear, structured requests than frustration.

7. Document everything

Keep records of emails, calls, estimates, photos, and timelines. Referencing prior conversations and attaching documentation shows you are informed and prepared to escalate if needed.

8. Avoid urgency traps

Statements like “this is the final offer” or “we need an answer today” are pressure tactics. Unless a legal deadline exists, you are allowed time to review, seek estimates, and respond thoughtfully.

What Now?

Negotiating with an insurance adjuster is less about aggression and more about preparation. The more specific, documented, and policy-based your responses are, the more likely the outcome improves. Many people only realize the value of “cheap” versus “premium” coverage once they are forced to negotiate; this is where the difference show up.

If you are unsure on how you can get the best rate from your insurance adjustor, we can help. Contact us and our team will guide you through the process and help you get the best rate possible.