These 7 tricks are used by insurance companies to avoid fully paying for damages
(and how victims can effectively defend themselves)
After an insurance claim, most people expect fairness. The reality is harsher:
insurance companies use systematic methods to avoid paying out claims altogether or to pay out only partially. Not by mistake – but by design.
Victims in Dortmund , experience daily that legitimate claims are reduced, delayed, or rejected altogether.
In this article, I'll show you the 7 most common tricks insurance companies use – and what you can do to get your money back .
Trick 1: Delay until exhaustion
What happens:
Weeks without feedback, constant new inquiries, "the case is being reviewed".
Why this works:
Many victims eventually give up – due to time pressure, frustration, or lack of knowledge.
The truth is:
Delay is not a coincidence, but a cost-cutting strategy .
What you should do:
Setting deadlines
Communicate in writing
Don't get involved in endless phone calls
👉 If you do nothing, you lose money. Period.
Trick 2: Minimize the extent of the damage
What happens:
Repair costs, depreciation in value or loss of use are factored in.
Popular statements:
"That's due to age."
"That didn't need to be repaired."
"The damage was already there before"
The truth is:
Often, the necessary technical foundations are lacking – things are simply cut short.
What you should do:
the damage assessed neutrally
Do not accept insurance arguments without verifying them
Trick 3: Pushing through your own expert opinion
What happens:
The insurance company sends its "own" expert.
Problem:
This person isn't working for you – but for the client.
Consequence:
Lower damage amount
Omission of subordinate positions
Optimized calculations in favor of the insurance company
What you should do:
You have the right to an independent expert opinion . Those who waive this right often forfeit money.
Trick 4: Allege a breach of duty
What happens:
The insurance company claims you have:
too late reported
acted incorrectly
something was overlooked
Goal:
To reduce or completely reject the service.
The truth is:
Many of these accusations are unfounded , but they are intimidating.
What you should do:
Don't be intimidated. Check first, then react.
Trick 5: Comparing offers under time pressure
What happens:
"If you agree now, we will pay immediately."
Why this is dangerous:
These offers are almost always below the actual price .
What you should do:
Never sign under time pressure
Always have comparison offers checked
Once signed, money lost.
Trick 6: Simply omit important damage items
Typical deletions:
Loss of use
Depreciation
extra costs
Spare parts surcharges
Why many don't realize it:
Most people don't know what they are entitled to .
What you should do:
Have a full damage assessment carried out.
Trick 7: Prey on the victim's lack of knowledge
That's the biggest trick of all.
Insurance companies know:
Most of those affected are unaware of their rights
Many accept the first payment
Hardly anyone gets it checked
Result:
Millions of euros remain with the insurance companies every year.
Conclusion: Those who don't check are throwing money away
If your insurance:
reduces the damage
did not respond
uses its own expert opinion
or pressure
Then caution is advised.
👉 For victims from Dortmund in particular, an independent review is almost always worthwhile.