How Insurance Adjusters Use the “Check With Supervisor” Trick in Texas Personal Injury Cases
If you’ve ever negotiated a personal injury claim after a car or vehicle accident in Texas, you’ve likely heard the phrase, “Let me check with my supervisor.” While it may sound official, in most cases, this is a common delay tactic used by insurance adjusters to make you think you’re nearing their top settlement offer. Understanding how these strategies work is crucial to protecting your claim and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Insurance Companies Set Internal Reserves
Most insurance companies have a system in place called internal reserves, which are the maximum amounts they are willing to pay on claims. These reserves are determined based on several factors:
Severity of your injuries and extent of medical treatment
Potential for lost wages, property damage, and emotional distress
Whether the claimant has legal representation
The likelihood that the case will proceed to litigation
If you don’t have an attorney, insurance companies know you are less likely to challenge a lowball offer. That’s why unrepresented claimants often receive initial offers far below the actual value of their case. Hiring an attorney — particularly one with a reputation for taking cases to court — can increase the insurer’s internal reserve and leverage, ultimately resulting in a higher settlement offer.
The “Let Me Check With My Supervisor” Delay Tactic
Most of the time, when an adjuster says they need to check with a supervisor, it is not a genuine review. Instead, it is a psychological tactic designed to:
Make you believe you are close to the insurer’s maximum offer
Encourage impatience and pressure you into settling for less
Create a false sense of fairness or urgency
In reality, the adjuster often already knows the top offer or has a predetermined policy limit. The phrase is primarily a negotiation tool to make you think the offer is increasing while they maintain control over the process.
The only time this tactic may be legitimate is when your case reaches a point where the insurer is considering a significantly higher offer than before. Even then, it’s essential to know the policy limits and ensure your medical records and evidence justify the potential settlement.
Why Representation Changes the Game
Having a skilled Texas personal injury lawyer dramatically changes how insurance companies handle your case:
Leverage in negotiations: Attorneys with a history of taking cases to court force adjusters to take your claim seriously.
Higher reserves: A lawyer’s involvement often results in the insurance company increasing their internal reserve to reflect the likelihood of litigation.
Documenting your injuries: Lawyers ensure that your medical records, evidence, and case documentation are organized to maximize the value of your claim.
Countering manipulation: Experienced attorneys recognize common delay tactics and prevent adjusters from using psychological tricks to lower your settlement.
Without legal representation, many victims unknowingly accept less than they deserve, leaving substantial compensation on the table.
How to Protect Yourself from Delay Tactics
To avoid falling victim to the “Let me check with my supervisor” trick:
Know your rights: Remember that the adjuster represents the insurance company, not you.
Request written offers: Always ask for all offers in writing to track negotiations and ensure accountability.
Hire an experienced attorney: A Texas personal injury lawyer can negotiate aggressively and push for fair compensation.
Verify policy limits: Understanding the full policy amount allows you to recognize whether an offer is fair or still low.
Stay patient: Don’t accept the first offer or feel pressured by delay tactics — take the time to evaluate your case properly.
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