Detailed answer: how to respond when an insurer tells you their offer is final (Missouri)
Disclaimer: This is educational information only and is not legal advice. If you need advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Missouri attorney.
What an insurer usually means by a “final” offer
When an insurance company calls an offer “final,” it usually means the company does not intend to increase the payment unless you provide new facts or legal developments that change their evaluation. In practice, the statement can be a negotiation tactic. The insurer is signaling it believes it has valued your claim based on the policy, available evidence, and its claims guidelines.
Immediate steps to protect your rights
- Get the offer in writing. Ask the insurer to send the full offer and any reserve or calculation worksheets in writing. A written offer creates a clear record.
- Do not sign a broad release right away. Releases that are too broad can eliminate valid future claims. Read any release carefully and ask for time to review it with an attorney.
- Preserve all evidence. Save photos, receipts, medical records, repair estimates, correspondence, and policy documents. Keep a log of conversations (date, time, name of representative, summary).
- Check coverage limits, deductibles, and policy terms. Confirm whether the offer reflects policy limits, deductibles, covered losses, and any offsets (e.g., payments from other sources).
Evaluate whether the offer is fair
Compare the insurer’s number to your documented losses: medical bills, future medical needs, lost wages, repair invoices, and out-of-pocket costs. Consider intangible losses (pain and suffering) if your claim involves bodily injury. If the insurer’s calculations don’t match your documentation, ask for a written explanation of how they arrived at their figure.
Ways to respond if you think the offer is too low
- Send a written demand. Prepare a clear demand letter that summarizes the facts, documents your damages, and explains why the offer is inadequate. Attach supporting records (medical records, estimates, receipts).
- Request a reassessment or peer review. For medical disputes, ask the insurer to explain how they evaluated treatment and whether an independent medical review is available under the policy or state rules.
- Invoke policy dispute procedures. Some policies include appraisal or arbitration clauses. If your policy has an appraisal clause for property damage, you can typically demand appraisal as a contractual method to resolve value disagreements. Review your policy for required steps and timelines.
- File a complaint with the Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance. If you suspect unfair claim-handling practices, you can contact the state regulator to investigate. See Missouri’s consumer pages at the Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance: https://insurance.mo.gov/consumers/
- Consider litigation. If negotiations fail and you have legal grounds, you may file a lawsuit before the applicable statute of limitations runs. Missouri statutes of limitation are in RSMo Chapter 516 (see: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=516). Consult an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
Missouri law and insurer obligations
Missouri regulates insurer conduct and provides consumer protections under its insurance laws. Chapter 375 of the Revised Statutes addresses insurance business and includes provisions related to claim-handling practices. You can review the chapter here: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=375
Missouri courts also recognize that insureds may have remedies if an insurer acts in bad faith or violates the insurance contract. Whether a particular set of facts supports a bad-faith claim depends on the policy language, the insurer’s conduct, and appellate precedent. If you believe the insurer acted improperly, discuss that possibility with a Missouri-licensed attorney.
When to hire an attorney
Speak with a lawyer if any of the following apply:
- The offer is far below documented damages (medical costs, lost income, repair costs).
- The insurer refuses to explain how it calculated the offer or ignores evidence you provide.
- The insurer pressures you to sign a release or accept payment quickly.
- There is a potential bad-faith issue (intentional denial, misrepresentation, or unreasonable delay).
- Complex coverage questions exist (multiple policies, uninsured motorist coverage, long-term disability, or liability disputes).
Hypothetical example (illustrating typical steps)
Jane is injured in a Missouri car crash. The insurer offers $6,000 and calls the number final. Jane requests the offer in writing, checks her medical bills (total $15,000), and asks the insurer for a breakdown. The insurer provides a worksheet showing it only counted emergency room charges and ignored follow-up care. Jane sends a written demand with full medical records and a wage-statement, asks for a reconsideration, and files a complaint with the Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance when the company declines to increase the offer. Jane also consults a personal injury attorney to review whether a lawsuit or negotiation with counsel is warranted.
Key deadlines to watch
Do not let time run out. Missouri’s statutes of limitation set deadlines for filing lawsuits. For many injury and property claims the relevant rules appear in RSMo Chapter 516. Because deadlines vary by claim type and circumstance, consult an attorney quickly to learn the correct deadline for your situation: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=516
Helpful Hints
- Always get offers and denials in writing.
- Keep a clear, dated record of all communication with the insurer (names, dates, summaries).
- Compare the insurer’s offer to your documented bills, receipts, and estimates before accepting.
- Don’t sign a general release until you are certain the payment and release language match what you intend to give up.
- If your policy has appraisal or arbitration, follow the policy’s procedural steps precisely to preserve those remedies.
- If the insurer claims the offer is final but new evidence emerges (new bills, new diagnoses, additional repair estimates), provide that evidence with a written request to reconsider.
- Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance if you suspect unfair practice: https://insurance.mo.gov/consumers/
- If you choose an attorney, bring all correspondence, the policy, the written offer, medical records, estimates, and a timeline of events to your meeting.