Tips to Handle Insurance Adjusters and Insurance Companies

• June 10, 2022
• Personal Injury

Insurance companies want to speak with you while you are still processing what happened and before you retain a personal injury attorney. This is a time when you need to be careful in what you say or how you say things to insurance adjusters (and others). Their job is to settle claims with as little liability as possible to the insurance company.

It is in your best interest to be represented by an attorney, someone who is skilled in dealing with an insurance adjuster, who knows how to communicate properly with them and whose specialty is personal injury law. That way, when the adjuster comes calling, you can simply direct them to your attorney.

Insurance Companies: What Not to Do

Should an adjuster reach you instead of your attorney, here are some tips on what not to say or do.

First thing, identify the person you are speaking with. Obtain their name, address, telephone number, name of the insurance company and the person or business they represent.

• Reciprocate and give the adjuster limited personal information such as your full name, address, and telephone number. You are not obligated to explain anything about your work or your income.
• Set limits. Make sure the adjuster understands you will not discuss anything but the basics.
• DO NOT give recorded statements of any kind. The insurance adjuster will ask outright but sometimes they may be more casual so that you do not realize what is being asked. Do not agree to have any conversations recorded; it is not required and it is against the law for you to be recorded without your permission.
• DO NOT give any details of the accident. They will ask for a statement about how the accident happened or possibly start a casual conversation to get you to talk about the accident. Only provide basic details, such as where, when, type of accident, vehicles involved. Refer them to your attorney for more information.
• DO NOT give any details of injuries. The adjuster will want to know the nature and extent of any injuries. Tell them you are still receiving treatment and you can’t provide any details yet. Something could be left out, another injury could still be discovered or something could turn out to be worse than originally thought.
• NEVER admit fault or imply that you may have been at fault. Wait to see what the official investigation determines.

Always take notes so that you know what information you have received or given verbally or in writing plus any requests you made of them and vice versa.

Questions? Call us at (877) 284-6600, Chat Online or use our Text Us widget.

Statements to Avoid Saying to the Adjuster

On the phone talking with insurance adjuster.

Insurance adjusters are trained in active listening – hearing the tone, the way you respond and the words you use – and are skilled at taking what you say to fit their version. Avoid saying things such as:

• “I feel fine,” or implying that you were not hurt in the accident. You may feel fine at that moment in time; however, it can take hours, even days or weeks, for your injuries to appear and treatment may be required at a later date.
• “I made a mistake” or “I’m sorry,” implies you were at fault. You may not know all the specifics of how an accident occurred or who was actually at fault. Self-incriminating statements such as this may make taint how an adjuster views the accident.
• “I think…” This starts a conversation whereby you may be speculating. Stick to the basic facts, what you know is 100% accurate.
• “They came out of nowhere,” begs the question, were you paying attention at the time of the accident or were you distracted by texting, talking on the phone, eating or another activity to take your eyes off the road?

Best advice, obtain a personal injury lawyer who can handle all communications properly. Then, you don’t have to worry. All you need to say is, speak with my attorney.

SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, a slip and fall, or some other accident in which you suffered serious injuries due to another’s negligence, contact Nash & Franciskato at (877) 284-6600. We have a successful track record of helping accident victims collect the compensation they deserve.

One of our experienced staff will speak with you personally and will provide you with a free, no-obligation review of your case.

Having an attorney who is your advocate can offer you peace of mind during your recovery.

START YOUR FREE CASE EVALUATION TODAY

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