The process is a structured exchange of offers and counteroffers, often through lawyers. After initial demands, each side provides more evidence to support their position. Negotiations can happen in letters, phone calls, or formal mediation sessions. Each new offer moves closer to the other’s last position. The pace can be slow, with periods of waiting. The goal is to find the overlapping range where both sides are better off settling than risking trial. Most cases settle in this middle ground.

These three numbers represent the maximum amounts your insurer will pay per accident. The first number (100) is for bodily injury per person, in thousands. The second (300) is the total bodily injury limit for all people hurt. The third (50) is for property damage you cause to others, like their car or a fence. Using 100/300/50, your insurer pays up to $100,000 per injured person, max $300,000 total for all injuries, and up to $50,000 for all damaged property.

Yes, but liability depends on why the damage occurred. If the damage results from the business’s negligence—like a valet scratching a car or an employee breaking an item while handling it—the business is typically responsible. However, if the damage is due to another customer or an unforeseeable event, the business may not be liable. To protect against claims, businesses should have clear policies for handling customer property and may offer secure storage or disclaimers, though these have limits.