What Delay Tactics Do Insurance Companies Use to Hurt Your Case in New Hampshire?

TL;DR: Insurance companies often delay your case on purpose. They hope you’ll give up, accept less money, or miss critical deadlines. Knowing their tactics is the first step to protecting your rights.

Table of Contents

• How Do Insurers Use Endless Requests for Information to Stall?
• Why Do Insurance Companies Drag Out Medical Reviews?
• Can Delaying Settlement Push You Past Deadlines?
• What Should You Do If an Insurance Company Is Delaying Your Case?
• FAQs

When you’re injured, working with a trusted personal injury attorney in New Hampshire can make all the difference, especially when insurance companies drag out your claim. You may expect the insurance company to handle your claim fairly and quickly. Unfortunately, that’s not how it usually works. Instead, insurers often drag out the process to wear you down. Every delay benefits them, not you. If you’re facing endless phone calls, paperwork, or excuses, you’re not imagining it. These tactics are by design.

How Do Insurers Use Endless Requests for Information to Stall?

When you file a claim, you expect to send in your accident report, medical records, and bills once and then move forward. Insurance companies flip that expectation on its head. 

They ask for the same records multiple times. They insist on additional authorizations that give them wide access to your private history. They claim they never received what you already sent.

This tactic is about control. By burying you in paperwork, they control the pace of the case. Each delay buys them time and increases the chance you’ll miss a deadline or settle out of frustration. Worse, they may use the delay to dig through your history, hoping to find something they can twist to limit your claim.

For someone recovering from an injury, the extra burden can feel overwhelming. You’re trying to get better, pay bills, and keep up with life. The insurance company is counting on that pressure. The longer they make you wait, the more likely you are to accept less money than your case deserves.

In New Hampshire, you don’t have to play this game. By keeping your own records organized, you cut down on their excuses. But the best defense is putting an attorney between you and the adjuster. Once you have legal representation, those repeated requests usually stop cold, because insurers know they can’t keep pulling the same trick.

Why Do Insurance Companies Drag Out Medical Reviews?

Medical treatment is often the centerpiece of a personal injury claim. Insurers know this, so they slow everything connected to it. They insist on reviewing every chart, test, and doctor’s note before making a single move. 

They may request an independent medical exam, which is anything but independent. These exams often involve doctors paid by the insurance company, who predictably downplay your injuries.

Here are a few common delay tactics tied to medical care:

• Requesting endless records: asking for duplicate or unnecessary medical files
• Scheduling independent exams: exams designed to minimize or dispute your injuries
• Dragging out reviews: taking weeks or months to look over records they already have
• Questioning treatment gaps: using delays they created as proof your injuries aren’t serious

While this plays out, weeks or months go by. During that time, your bills pile up, your recovery costs increase, and your stress level rises. Many injured people in New Hampshire feel forced to settle early, simply to get some relief. That’s exactly what the insurance company wants: they profit from your desperation.

Can Delaying Settlement Push You Past Deadlines?

The most dangerous delay tactic is running down the clock. In New Hampshire, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years from the date of the accident. That deadline is absolute: if you don’t file a lawsuit in time, you lose your right to compensation, no matter how strong your case is.

Insurance companies know this rule well. That’s why they may drag their feet on settlement discussions. They’ll keep you hopeful by saying your claim is still “under review.” They’ll offer to negotiate, but only after one more round of paperwork. They’ll promise that settlement is close, only to let months slip by. If you aren’t paying close attention, three years can vanish faster than you think.

This tactic is especially cruel because it looks cooperative on the surface. You might feel like progress is happening when, in reality, nothing has moved. By the time you realize what’s going on, it could be too late to take legal action.

You stop this game by taking control early. Mark your deadlines and never rely on the insurer to keep track for you. If your case drags, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible—long before the statute of limitations approaches. An attorney can file suit when needed, forcing the insurer to deal with the case on your timeline, not theirs.

Don’t underestimate how powerful this tactic is for insurance companies. One missed deadline ends your case permanently. That’s why having someone in your corner who knows the law and the calendar is the best protection. This is particularly important in New Hampshire slip and fall cases, where the statute of limitations is three years.

What Should You Do If an Insurance Company Is Delaying Your Case?

Insurance companies know delay works in their favor, not yours. The good news is you don’t have to face these tactics alone. At Buckley Law Offices, we fight back against insurers who stall, deflect, and deny. Our slip and fall accident attorneys are here to protect your rights with proven results you can see in our case results. If you’ve been injured in New Hampshire and are tired of delays, call us now. We’ll step in, cut through the red tape, and protect your right to fair compensation.

FAQs

Why do insurance companies ask for the same documents repeatedly?
This tactic is used to stall and overwhelm claimants. By burying you in paperwork, insurers control the pace of the case and increase the chances you’ll give up or settle for less.

What is an independent medical exam (IME) and why is it risky?
An IME is often conducted by doctors paid by the insurer. Their reports can downplay injuries or dispute medical necessity, giving the insurer grounds to reduce or deny your claim.

How do delays affect medical treatment in a claim?
Insurance companies may drag out reviews, schedule unnecessary exams, or question treatment gaps. These tactics increase stress and financial pressure, pushing victims toward quick settlements.

What happens if the statute of limitations passes in New Hampshire?
If you miss the three-year deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit, you lose your right to compensation, regardless of how strong your case is.

Why do insurers delay settlement discussions?
Delays keep claimants hopeful while time runs out. Insurers may appear cooperative but drag their feet until deadlines pass, ending your case.

How can you protect yourself from insurance company delay tactics?
Keep detailed records, track deadlines carefully, and consult a lawyer early. An attorney can handle communications and file suit before time runs out.

Why should you contact a lawyer if delays are happening?
A lawyer ensures the case progresses on your timeline, not the insurer’s. Legal representation stops repeated document requests and prevents insurers from exploiting delay tactics.