What happens if I don't accept an insurance offer?

Asked by: Federico Brekke  |  Last update: July 14, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (18 votes)

When you decline an offer from an insurance company, it is an opportunity to commence settlement negotiations. Rejecting a settlement offer signals to an insurer that you will advocate for a fair settlement value that matches your losses.

What happens if I reject my insurance offer?

When you decline the insurer's offer, it typically signifies dissatisfaction with the proposed amount, prompting further discussions. These negotiations may involve back-and-forth exchanges between you and the insurance company, with both parties striving to reach a mutually agreeable resolution.

What happens if you don't accept insurance settlement?

Possible Legal Action: If negotiations don't yield a satisfactory offer, a lawsuit may become necessary, requiring additional time and resources. Risk of Lower Final Settlement: In some cases, litigation may lead to a settlement lower than the initial offer, depending on the court's decision.

Do you have to accept insurance offer on a totaled car?

Do you have to accept an insurance offer on totaled car? No, you do not have to accept the insurance company's first offer on a totaled car. You can negotiate the offer if you believe it does not reflect the actual cash value of your car.

What happens if you don't agree with an insurance claim?

Dispute the Decision and File a Complaint

If you exhaust other options without resolution, formally dispute the insurer's decision. Many policies allow you to request arbitration through the insurance company. You'll present evidence to an independent adjuster, who then makes a binding settlement determination.

What Happens If You Don't Accept A Settlement Offer From The Insurance Company? | The Barnes Firm

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Do I have to accept the insurance estimate?

The adjuster's estimate is a benchmark, not a total claim payment. The insurance company will not expect you to accept their adjuster's estimate until you've established to your own satisfaction that it will cover the cost of repair, so don't feel pressured.

Can I decline a settlement agreement?

If you disagree with the offer, you can decline it. However, rejecting a settlement offer isn't as simple as saying, “Sorry, I won't accept it.” Instead, before rejecting a settlement offer, it's important to think through this decision.

Can you reject a total loss offer?

Uncertainty: A claimant might reject an offer if they believe more evidence is needed to establish the full extent of their losses. Higher Expectations: When the claimant believes the value of their claim is greater than the offered settlement, they may opt to hold out for a better outcome.

What happens if insurance doesn't want to settle?

If your insurance claim does not settle, your attorney can pursue a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf in civil court. Filing a lawsuit will involve: Preparing and filing legal documents. Gathering evidence.

Can you ask for more money when your car is totaled?

In some cases, you may get more insurance money for a totaled car than for repairs. In addition, it is possible to negotiate a higher settlement by providing evidence that your car was worth more than the insurance company's initial valuation.

How do I reject a low settlement offer?

If you choose to reject the low settlement offer, you must communicate your decision to the claims adjuster. Your legal representative can help you write a letter that states your intentions. Within the letter, you can indicate that you reject the offer and highlight why you deserve a higher settlement amount.

How long do you have to accept an insurance settlement?

There is no industry standard for how long a claimant should have to accept the settlement offer. Some insurance adjusters provide a date by which the claimant must accept the offer to be valid, while others expect an answer within a reasonable amount of time.

Can an insurance company force you to settle?

If an insurance company offers to settle your accident or injury claim, you have the option to refuse. While insurance companies and adjusters may try to make it seem like an offer is the best and only one you'll get, that's rarely true.

What if you don't agree with a settlement offer?

However, refusing a settlement offer does extend the life of your claim and delays when you receive compensation. If you have pressing medical bills or other expenses, this is a factor to consider. You'll also need to invest more time and energy into your case, including providing more documentation of your damages.

What is the best way to politely reject an insurance offer?

If you decide to reject the settlement offer, you'll need to do so in writing. Provide a clear explanation of why you are rejecting the offer and include any supporting evidence that backs up your position. Your written response should be professional and concise; any inflammatory language could weaken your case.

What happens if I don't respond to insurance?

Insurance policies also have a “duty to cooperate” or “non-cooperation” clause. This clause basically states that the insured party is obligated to cooperate with the adjuster's investigation of the claim. If the insured person refuses or fails to cooperate, the company can then deny coverage.

What happens if you don't accept an insurance offer?

When you decline an offer from an insurance company, it is an opportunity to commence settlement negotiations. Rejecting a settlement offer signals to an insurer that you will advocate for a fair settlement value that matches your losses.

What happens if you don't make settlement?

A buyer who fails to settle on the agreed-upon day will likely face a range of costly consequences, including additional fees, legal actions, and potential termination of contract. "The seller is likely to experience various expenses due to the delay, which the buyer may be responsible for covering," Ms Hamed said.

Do you have to pay back insurance after settlement?

Whether or not you have to pay back insurance after receiving a settlement in California depends on the specific terms of your insurance policy and the nature of your settlement. In most cases, if you are awarded a settlement, you will need to pay for the medical treatment you received.

How do you respond to a lowball offer from an insurance company?

If you're faced with a low-ball insurance offer, there are several things you can do to fight for the money you deserve:
  1. Rejecting a settlement offer. Don't take the first offer. ...
  2. Gather evidence to support your claim. ...
  3. Write a detailed demand letter. ...
  4. Be ready to negotiate. ...
  5. Don't be afraid to file a lawsuit.

What happens if you don't agree with an insurance adjuster?

File a Complaint: If necessary, file a complaint with the insurance company or regulatory authorities. Don't Settle for Less: Refrain from accepting a low settlement offer without proper evaluation. Be Prepared for Legal Action: If negotiations fail, be ready to file a lawsuit to protect your interests.

How to counter insurance settlement offer?

Countering a Low Insurance Settlement Offer
  1. State that the offer you received is unacceptable.
  2. Refute any statements in the adjustor's letter that are inaccurate and damaging to your claim.
  3. Re-state an acceptable figure.
  4. Explain why your counteroffer is appropriate, including the reasons behind your general damage demands.

What happens if the parties fail to come to settlement?

However, the most suitable relief for a breach of a settlement agreement would be specific performance as well as damages where a patrimonial loss has been suffered. Additionally, where a settlement agreement has been made an order of court, the breaching party can be held in contempt of court.

Can I change my mind after signing a settlement agreement?

Can I change my mind after signing a settlement? It's extremely tough to overturn a signed settlement agreement. Courts stick to these agreements unless there's clear fraud, pressure, or serious misrepresentation. That's why we always suggest having a professional review before you sign anything.

Why would an insurance company not want to settle?

The insurance company may choose not to settle your claim if they find proof of pre-existing injuries. As its name suggests, a pre-existing injury is a condition or injury that was present prior to the accident.