Settlement offer question checklist
An insurer has offered you a figure and you are not sure whether it is fair or final.
A settlement offer letter rarely explains itself fully. This checklist gives you a specific set of questions to work through before you accept, reject or counter an offer, so the decision is based on what the figure actually represents.
What this checklist does
Rather than asking whether the number feels right, this splits your questions into two groups: what the offer actually covers, and how the insurer says it arrived at that figure. A low offer can come from either gap.
Questions about what the offer covers
- Does it include your medical expenses so far, in full?
- Does it account for income already lost, not just future income?
- Does it mention future medical care, if your treatment is ongoing?
- Does it address property or vehicle damage separately from your injury?
- Is it clear whether this settles everything, or only part of your claim?
Questions about how the figure was worked out
- Does the letter explain which injuries were assessed and how?
- Does it mention any reduction for your own contribution to the accident?
- Was your specialist medical report actually used, or an earlier assessment only?
- Is there a deadline attached to the offer, and is that deadline realistic?
- Who calculated the figure, and can that be explained in plain terms?
Why the contributory negligence question matters
An offer can be quietly reduced because the insurer believes you were partly at fault, since damages are cut in proportion to a claimant’s own share of responsibility.[1] If this reduction is not explained, it is worth asking for it directly rather than assuming the full figure was simply low.
What to do next
Understanding the offer breaks down settlement letters in more detail, and reviewing a settlement offer covers what changes once you decide to push back. If the offer still feels wrong after working through this list, an insurer’s lowball offer explains what your options look like from there.
Common questions
Should I accept the first offer an insurer makes?
Not automatically. A first offer is a starting point for discussion, not usually the insurer's final position. Working through this checklist before responding helps you see whether it reflects your actual losses.
What if the offer does not mention my future medical costs?
That is worth raising directly, since an offer covering only what you have already spent may understate an injury that needs continuing treatment. Ask specifically whether future care was considered.
Can I still negotiate after receiving a written offer?
Generally yes. A written offer usually opens negotiation rather than closing it, and asking questions in writing keeps a clear record of what was discussed and agreed.
What if I already said yes verbally to the amount?
A verbal agreement is not always the end of the matter, since a binding settlement is normally confirmed in writing or recorded by the court. If you have doubts, raise them before signing anything formal.
Sources
- Civil Law Act 1956, s.12 (Government of Malaysia) (accessed 2026-09-22)