I think where any doubt exists the claims are paid just to make the problem go away. Unfortunately, many of the claims are highly dubious and I'm sure some people make an income stream out of this.
I was once interviewed by the snowdrops regarding a claim that my big green helicopter flying at 50ft at cruising speed kicked up stones that smashed a car windscreen. From a low hover it's not impossible, straight and level, 50ft, ~150kts - no way. Perhaps it's more likely that it was the car in front. I suspect the claimant was paid off anyway.
