Auto Insurance Claims: Geico, auto insurance company, vanpool

Question
Hello, I am writing for my mother who got rear ended while in a vanpool going home.  She had some minor injuries and went to see a chiropractor.  Well shes done with the treatment and the bill came out to be $1500.  Geico, the at-fault person's insurance called my mother and indicated that in figuring out the total amount they are giving her for her injuries, only $1100 was included for medical expenses.  They said to call the doctor to lower his prices if she wants to pocket more.  In addition, they said there is no "bargaining" to the amount the insurance company is compensating her for the accident and it is final.  Does this all sound fishy to you? Can we go ahead and dispute the $1100 amount and isnt it true that "bargaining" is allowed?

Answer
Hi Susie-

I have read that you should be able to get about 3x your medical costs for pain and suffering.  Insurance companies usually don't give as credibility to Chiropractic from my experience.  You just have to decide how hard you much time you want to spend fighting against them.  If there are no long term affects or lost wages and the chiropractor is willing to accect $1100 I would probably take it.  
Sometimes when they make an offer, it won't be final but if this is truly a final offer then you may have to go to court to get more. There really is not bargaining but for bigger cases you may go to arbitration that is kind of like bargaining.  Ask them what the next step is if you reject the offer.  
Tell mom to check with her auto insurance company to see if she has medical coverage (med pay).  This would pay the difference.  If not then add at least $1,000 coverage for any future accidents.  

Good Luck

Sheldon Maughan
Sacramento, Ca