The Do’s and Don’ts of Speaking With an Insurance Adjuster

After an accident, you might have to talk to an insurance adjuster.

While you may not see any harm in having a conversation, you need to remain cautious in how you act and what you say. Keep in mind that any information that you give could greatly affect your claim and even a legal case.

At the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp, we have provided this guide to help you navigate through these important conversations. Let’s examine the do’s and don’ts of speaking with an insurance adjuster.

The Do’s of These Discussions With Insurers

Before you start talking to the adjuster, make sure to write down all their information, such as their full name, contact information, and company details. Keep a note of all interactions. With that, you will know who you’re talking to and the date and time of the conversation.

Any time you speak to the adjuster, make sure to keep a record; this can extend to any type of correspondence, such as phone calls, emails, and letters.

When dealing with an insurance adjuster, always keep in mind that they represent the insurance company. And ultimately, they can decide in your favor or against your claims. For that reason, you will want to maintain a professional and cordial demeanor, even if you’re feeling upset or frustrated.

Yelling and being rude is not the best way to interact with these professionals.

Remember, they’re human too. By calmly explaining the situation, the insurance adjuster will be able to understand your side of the incident, and it might be better for your settlement.

The insurance adjuster is calling as part of the tasks the Bureau of Labor Statistics describes as their job: determine the facts of the accident. When speaking to them, you will want to give a factual overview. Make sure to highlight relevant points from police reports or evidence.

This is not the time to make embellishments or give your opinion about the incident. You need to stick to the facts and avoid any unnecessary information.

By doing this, the adjuster will be able to better understand your situation and make a fair assessment of your claim.

Don’t Make These Mistakes When Speaking With an Insurance Company Representative

Now that we have looked at what to do, is there anything to avoid?

One of the biggest mistakes is openly discussing your injuries with the adjuster, especially if they work for the other party. If you brush it off as something minor, they claim the adjuster will note that.

Now, if the injuries progressively get worse, you might have backed yourself into a corner. You never want to provide too many details about any injuries or medical procedures. Instead, focus on providing basic information.

When should you talk about injuries? Leave that to your consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Oversharing your health can potentially harm your case. As a result, you may receive less compensation.

Additionally, you should never admit fault. It could jeopardize your right to compensation. Even if you believe you caused the accident, never say so.

In some scenarios, you could be held responsible for the entire accident, which could lead to unwanted consequences, such as being held liable for any damages or injuries resulting from the accident.

You will also want to be cautious about early settlement offers.

While receiving a quick offer may seem like a relief, these settlements are not in your best interest.

Usually, insurance companies will make a fast offer, so they close the case.

These offers are low amounts that will probably not cover your medical bills and other needs. If you accept an offer, you cannot go back and amend it.

For that reason, you always want to talk to a skilled personal injury lawyer before finalizing a settlement.

Should You Consult With a Lawyer?

If you are ever asked to provide a statement regarding your case or have a dispute with an insurer, proceed with caution.

Remember, anything you say could be recorded and used as evidence. Plus, any seemingly innocuous statement could be misconstrued or taken out of context.

When asked to provide a statement, you have a right to request that it not be recorded. You should then take the time to consult with an attorney before giving any statements, whether recorded or not.

A lawyer can provide you with guidance on what to say, what not to say, and how to protect your legal rights throughout the process.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your statement is accurate, fair, and does not unintentionally harm your claim.

Before talking to an insurance adjuster, consult a lawyer.

Remember, the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp is always available for free consultations.