What Not to Say to an Insurance Adjuster
Feb. 24, 2022
In the aftermath of a car crash, the last thing you want is to deal with the insurance company. However, it is almost inevitable that an insurance adjuster will get in touch with you to discuss the details of the accident before making a settlement offer or denying your claim.
It is critical to be cautious about what you say to an insurance adjuster after a car accident because the things you say could impact your ability to secure the compensation to which you are entitled.
If you were involved in a car accident, consider consulting with a car accident attorney before giving any statements to an insurance adjuster. At Life Law, we can take over all communication with the insurance company for you while you can focus on what is truly important – getting better. Our attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina, handles car accident cases throughout North Carolina, including Charlotte, Wilmington, and Asheville.
What Role Does an Insurance Adjuster Play in the Claims Process?
Insurance adjusters play a crucial role in the claims process after accidents occur. Not only do they communicate with accident victims but also investigate their claims, determine liability, and calculate how much compensation should be paid to the claimant for their personal injury and or property damage.
Insurance adjusters perform a wide range of duties as part of their job and are required to gather a significant amount of documentation when assessing and processing claims. While insurance adjusters are usually very polite and friendly, it is vital to understand that adjusters work to protect the insurance company’s bottom line.
How to Respond to Requests for a Statement?
In most car accident cases, insurance adjusters will reach out to a victim to obtain a recorded statement. To determine how you should respond to requests for a recorded statement, it is essential to understand what a recorded statement is and how insurance companies use these statements during the claims process.
When your statement is recorded, everything you say will be transcribed and can be used as evidence to undermine your claim. Insurance adjusters are trained in taking recorded statements with the ultimate goal to:
Find inconsistencies in your story
Downplay the severity of your injuries
Get you to volunteer information that could jeopardize your claim
Often, insurance adjusters pressure accident victims to provide a recorded statement by saying that giving a statement will speed up the claims process, allowing the insurance company to quickly pay the claim. However, that is not correct. Accident victims have a right to refuse to provide a recorded statement until they consult with an attorney.
Things to Keep in Mind When Talking to Insurance Adjusters
If you choose to speak with the insurance adjuster without an attorney to represent your best interests, follow these rules:
Be polite and stay calm. It is essential to remain respectful and calm when communicating with the insurance adjuster.
Get the name of the insurance adjuster. Before you provide any information to the insurance adjuster, ask them to give you their name.
Stick to the facts and provide limited information. It is vital to be as straight-to-the-point as possible when talking to an insurance adjuster. Usually, insurance adjusters do not need your personal information other than your name, phone number, and address.
Do not discuss the details of your accident or injuries. Do not go into details when discussing your accident or injuries. Anything you say to an insurance adjuster could be used against you, so be as concise as possible.
Do not apologize or say that you are sorry. Saying that you are sorry for what happened could be misconstrued as your admission of fault.
Do not say that you feel fine. The insurance adjuster could ask you how you feel as a way to start the conversation. For many people, a normal response to the question is “I’m fine, thanks,” but giving such a response to an insurance adjuster could hurt your personal injury claim.
There are countless things you can say to an insurance adjuster that could come back and haunt you later.
How a Knowledgeable Attorney Can Help
If you have been involved in a car crash and filed an insurance claim, expect the insurance adjuster to reach out to you within 24 or 48 hours to get more information about your claim or accident. If you get a call or email from an insurance adjuster, you must consult with an experienced attorney at Life Law to protect your rights and interests. Schedule a consultation with our attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina, to find out how you can fight for the compensation you need in your case. We proudly serve clients throughout North Carolina, including Charlotte, Wilmington, and Asheville.