An insurer approaches you to settle a claim

Summary

Check your home contents insurance cover as it might include legal expenses insurance. If you had a minor injury from a road accident that wasn't your fault, you might be able to claim compensation for free and without legal help using the Official If you've been injured or suffered trauma as a result of your accident you may be feeling vulnerable. If the other person's insurer contacts you to try and settle the claim, it may be tempting to accept an offer to avoid any more stress or delay. However, this may not be in your best interests. Before you decide to accept an offer, think about the following things: * you don't have to accept any offer that's made to you. If you do accept an offer it might be lower than the compensation you would have got if you'd used a solicitor or gone to court instead * don't feel under any pressure to make a decision quickly. You have up to three years from when the accident happened to make a claim for compensation * if you've been hurt, get a full medical assessment, to confirm any injuries you've got and the likely impact on your life * if an insurer offers you payment or asks you to sign something, make sure you know what it's for * you don't.

Key information

• •you don't have to accept any offer that's made to you. If you do accept an offer it might be lower than the compensation you would have got if you'd used a solicitor or gone to court instead
• •don't feel under any pressure to make a decision quickly. You have up to three years from when the accident happened to make a claim for compensation
• •if you've been hurt, get a full medical assessment, to confirm any injuries you've got and the likely impact on your life
• •if an insurer offers you payment or asks you to sign something, make sure you know what it's for
• •you don't have to use a solicitor that an insurer offers to arrange for you. You can appoint your own at any time or seek independent legal advice.
• •Check your home contents insurance cover as it might include legal expenses insurance.
• •If you had a minor injury from a road accident that wasn't your fault, you might be able to claim compensation for free and without legal help using the Official
• •Contact the Official Injury Claim service on the Official Injury Claim website.
• •If you've been injured or suffered trauma as a result of your accident you may be feeling vulnerable. If the other person's insurer contacts you to try and settle the claim, it may be tempting to accept an offer to avoid any more stress or delay. However, this may not be in your best interests.
• •Before you decide to accept an offer, think about the following things:
• •* you don't have to accept any offer that's made to you. If you do accept an offer it might be lower than the compensation you would have got if you'd used a solicitor or gone to court instead
• •* don't feel under any pressure to make a decision quickly. You have up to three years from when the accident happened to make a claim for compensation

Practical guidance

• •Source: [An insurer approaches you to settle a claim](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/insurance/insurance-claims/an-insurer-approaches-you-to-settle-a-claim/)

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