What Should You Do if the Insurance Company Gives You a Low Offer?

 Posted on June 11, 2026 in Personal Injury

Getting hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault is stressful enough. But what if the insurance company sends you a settlement offer that doesn’t even cover your medical bills? Is that really all you're going to get? 

You absolutely do not have to accept a low offer, and in some cases you may have legal options for fighting back. If you're dealing with this situation, a Parkville, MD personal injury attorney at our firm can help you understand what your claim is actually worth. Our team at Posner & Cord, LLC has helped injured people get fair compensation for over 20 years, and we offer free consultations.

Why Insurance Companies Make Low Initial Offers

Insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible on every claim, and a low first offer is a standard tactic. A lot of injured people accept these offers simply because they don't know they can push back. Here are some of the most common reasons insurance companies make lowball offers: 

The Adjuster's Job Is Not to Help You

The adjuster assigned to your claim works for the insurance company, not for you. The adjuster's job is to close your file quickly and cheaply. When an adjuster tells you an offer is fair, that reflects the insurance company's interests. They’re just hoping you’ll say yes.

Low Offers Often Ignore Future Costs

A first offer frequently covers only your current medical bills. The offer often ignores future treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term disability. Under Maryland law, you may be entitled to compensation for all of these losses.

They’re Trying to Run Out the Statute of Limitations

In Maryland, you generally have three years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, Section 5-101. Waiting too long can make you lose your right to recover anything at all. Maryland courts enforce this deadline strictly.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Maryland Injury Claim?

Maryland law allows injured victims to seek both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover things like medical bills and lost income. Non-economic damages cover pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life.

According to some studies, injured people who hire an attorney receive settlements that are, on average, three to four times higher than settlements received by claimants who handle claims on their own. Even if you aren’t sure you want to file a claim, talking to an attorney might be very worth your while.

What Should You Do After Receiving a Low Settlement Offer?

Don't panic, and don't sign anything once you get the initial settlement offer. Once you accept a settlement, you typically give up your right to get more money later. Here's what you should do after receiving a low offer instead:

• Get all of your medical records and bills together so you have a clear picture of your actual losses.
• Write down every way the injury has affected your daily life, including missed work and activities you can no longer do.
• Meet with at least one personal injury attorney before responding to the insurance company.

After you have all this information, your attorney can send a formal demand letter to the insurance company. The demand letter spells out the full value of your claim and puts the insurance company on notice that you're prepared to take legal action if they won't negotiate fairly.

Most cases settle at this stage without going to court. Insurance companies know that going to court is usually much more expensive than settling cases for more than the initial offer.

Call a Timonium, MD Personal Injury Lawyer Today

At Posner & Cord, LLC, we see all the time how frustrating it is when the insurance company tries to take advantage of people after an injury. Our Parkville, MD personal injury attorneys fight for injured clients, and we don't back down from lowball offers. We have a 4.9-star rating on Google, and our free consultations mean you can get answers without any upfront cost.

Call us today at 410-252-0600 to speak with a member of our team about your claim.