The Dangers You Face Trusting The Insurance Company Adjuster

An elderly couple in Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania called their insurance company after a tree fell on their house.  The adjuster showed up and “just wanted to help”, so began evaluating the loss and what happened next just takes the cake…

Elderly couple suing police, Nationwide Insurance after hibiscus gets mistaken for marijuana-growing operation

Briefly – The story details the couple’s allegation the adjuster “intentionally” photographed a hibiscus plant in a way which caused the common garden plant to resemble a marijuana plant.  Then, the adjuster informed the authorities about the couple’s “marijuana-growing operation”.  Shocker – no marijuana was found and the elderly couple was needlessly embarrassed, harassed, and violated by the police as a result of this adjuster’s help.

Here’s my take:

Listen as a Louisiana insurance claim lawyer, I don’t know the reason behind the adjuster’s actions.  Maybe he was a good, law-abiding citizen doing what he believed to be in the best interest of the community.  This is completely possible.  But, my guess is the adjuster was hoping he could save his company some dollars since he was putting these “marijuana growers” in jail and thus, they would not be able to challenge his estimate or loss.  Then, things spiraled out of control.

Here’s what you should take away:

The adjuster is not there to help you or your claim.  Adjusters will use anything and everything (and maybe even misrepresent things) to lower what they have to pay you on your legitimate insurance claims.  This happens in all type of insurance cases – personal injury, property damage (like the story above), disability cases, and others.

The adjuster in the story was sent to investigate a tree falling on a residence. He took pictures of things completely unrelated and then either intentionally (if you believe the homeowners) or mistakenly (giving the adjuster the benefit of the doubt) misrepresented what he saw. Either way, the story highlights the dangers you face by trusting the insurance company adjuster.

Related Links: Top 10 Questions to Ask The Insurance Adjuster in Louisiana Should I meet the at-fault person’s insurance adjuster when they examine my car for property damage? Should I Give The Insurance Company A Recorded Statement?