What Not to Say to an Insurance Adjuster

When you are dealing with shock and injuries in the aftermath of a car accident, it can be difficult to think about what to say to an insurance adjuster when they contact you. What you do and don’t say, however, can make or break your case, so it’s critical that you understand how to communicate with them.

The Role of the Insurance Adjuster

An insurance adjuster is employed by an insurance company to investigate and assess the company’s liability in the claims they review. It is the insurance adjuster’s job to settle the claim as quickly as possible for the lowest possible amount. Unfortunately, this means that the insurance adjuster is not on your side. Even though they may sound friendly and inquire about your wellbeing, their goal is to give you as little compensation as possible.

What You Should Do When You Talk to an Insurance Adjuster

Within a few days of an accident, you can expect a call from at least one insurance adjuster. Here are five things you should be sure to do on this call:

• Find out who they are – Write down their name and the company they represent.
• Refuse to allow your statement to be recorded – One of the first things the insurance adjuster will ask is if they can record your statement. A recorded statement can be used as evidence against your case, and you have the legal right to refuse the recording.
• Only provide basic information about yourself – This can include your name, address, and phone number. Remember, you don’t have to answer all their questions.
• Only provide basic information about the accident – This may include time, date, location, and vehicles involved. Once again, you don’t have to answer all their questions.
• Refer them to your lawyer – If you have hired a car accident lawyer, you can refer them straight to your attorney if they have further questions.

What You Should Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster

What you do not say to an insurance adjuster is critical to the outcome of your case. The adjuster is looking for any reason they can find to reduce the insurance company’s liability, and whatever you say can be used as evidence against you and could be used to minimize your claim. The less you say, the better, so keep the conversation as brief as possible and remember not the say the following:

• “Sorry, it was my fault” – Whether or not you think you did something wrong, do not offer apologies or admit fault. Most accidents are caused by many variables, some of which you may not be aware of.
• “Here’s what I think happened…” – The insurance adjuster will ask you questions about the cause of the accident. You need to state the facts but keep your answers brief. Do not speculate, exaggerate, or provide your opinion about who was at fault.
• “I’m fine” – The insurance adjuster may casually begin your conversation by asking “how are you?” Even if you do feel fine, don’t tell them so. In some cases, a victim can be so shocked by an accident, that it takes a few days for injuries to present themselves through symptoms.
• “My injuries include …” You cannot be sure of exactly how serious your injuries are until you have been examined by a doctor. When the adjuster asks what injuries you have sustained from the accident, tell them your lawyer will send them a list.
• “Sure, you can talk to my doctor” – The adjuster may try to obtain details of your medical history to identify pre-existing conditions and injuries that can reduce the value of your claim. Do not provide any of these details or give them permission to access your medical records, even if they say they need this information to verify your injuries.

How CHASENBOSCOLO Can Help You

At CHASENBOSCOLO, we have helped thousands of car accident victims obtain hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation. Our compassionate and skilled attorneys are here to guide you through the complicated insurance claim process and advocate for your rights to help you obtain fair compensation for your losses. We offer a No Fee Guarantee so you can rest assured that you won’t pay anything until we recover money for you. Contact us at (301) 220-0050 today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you.

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