If an insurance adjuster calls you after an accident, do your best to be polite. While you likely feel uneasy and surprised by the call, you don’t want to give the adjuster any reason to believe you have something to hide or a cause to be suspicious of you.
However, the most important thing to keep in mind when talking to an insurance adjuster is to proceed with extreme caution. We’ve put together a list of tips for handling insurance adjuster phone calls to help you protect your personal injury case. But for the best protection against mistakes or blunders when working with an insurance company, you should seek a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after sustaining an injury.
Tips for Handling Phone Calls from an Insurance Adjuster
Proceed cautiously when an insurance adjuster calls you after an accident. And if you aren’t in a good frame of mind, just ask if you can call the adjuster back at a better time. Otherwise, follow these tips.
1. Ask the Adjuster for Key Information
Take a moment to request that the adjuster share their full name and their job title. Write down the information and add it to a folder with your other accident details, including your medical records and invoices.
2. Know Your Rights
You are not obligated to speak to the insurance adjuster, though failing to do so could make your case move slower, meaning it takes longer to get compensation for your injuries.
Insurance companies seek to mitigate expenses, which means finding reasons to deny a claim or reduce payment associated with a claim by catching victims off guard. You are not legally required to answer their questions, but that won’t keep the adjuster from calling you.
3. Provide Only Basic Information
Agree to give basic information about the claim, including your legal name, address, and the contact information for your attorney. It’s appropriate to state that you will not answer questions without your attorney present.
Do not voluntarily provide information about injuries or accident details. While you might think you’re only supplying relevant information, you might be giving out information that the insurance company can use against you later.
Take notes during the conversation about what you talked about and your answers. That way you have a record of what you discussed.
4. Never Agree to a Recorded Statement
The adjuster will likely tell you that they are required to obtain a recorded statement from you. They will do their best to sound friendly and helpful, but in reality, they are probably trying to find conflicts in your story or ask questions that trap you into saying the wrong thing or disclosing information you wouldn’t otherwise.
Without your permission, the adjuster cannot legally record you. So all you have to do is say no to this.
5. Don’t Take Early Settlement Offers
These offers are generally low and designed to make your claim go away quickly and for as little as possible. Wait until you’ve discussed the matter with an attorney and you know the full cost of your injuries.
Common Questions Insurance Adjusters Ask
Know what to expect during an insurance adjuster phone call. Here are some common questions the adjuster might ask you.
- Can I record your statement?
- Are you the registered owner of the vehicle involved in the accident?
- What day and time did the accident occur?
- What was the street name where the accident occurred?
- What was the weather like at the time of the accident?
- Explain the events that led to the accident
- Were you using a cell phone at the time of the accident?
- Did police arrive at the scene and did they file a report?
- Have you sought medical attention since the accident?
The best way to protect your rights is to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible following any type of accident.
Stewart & Stewart provides a team of skilled attorneys ready to help with a variety of legal matters. Schedule a free consultation now to learn how to handle insurance company interactions.