How to Deal with Insurance Adjusters: The Do’s and Don’ts

Knowing how to deal with the aftermath of a car accident is never easy, especially with an insurance adjuster looming around.

Insurance adjusters are trained professionals who assess car accidents on behalf of insurance companies. They play a vital role in the claims processes and can significantly impact your chances of getting fair compensation. 

With this in mind, it’s important that you learn how to deal with them properly.

If you want to know the do’s and don’ts of interacting with an insurance adjuster, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss how to deal with an insurance adjuster properly after suffering a car accident. We’ll also explore the role that they play in car accident claims. 

Read on to discover how to assert your rights throughout the claims process. 

The Role of Insurance Adjusters in Car Accident Claims

Before we dive into what you should and shouldn’t say to an insurance adjuster, let’s first discuss their role in car accident claims. 

Insurance adjusters handle insurance claims on behalf of the company. They’re tasked with taking statements from the parties involved, reviewing police reports, and assessing the overall damage caused by the collision. 

While insurance adjusters seem friendly and trustworthy, their loyalty primarily lies with their employer. 

Insurance companies train them to protect their bottom line. They will offer you as little money as possible. In other instances, they will encourage you to settle your claim immediately to save the company more time and resources. 

This isn’t to say that they’re inherently deceptive or malicious. Simply put, insurance adjusters are rarely on the side of the injured victim. They will do everything possible to ensure their company gets the better end of the bargain. 

You must be careful when interacting with them; otherwise, you could lose your right to fair compensation. 

How to Deal With an Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident: Do’s and Don’ts

If you’re wondering what to say to an insurance adjuster after an accident, there are some do’s and don’ts that you must follow:

Do Ask For Their Information

When an insurance adjuster approaches you after a car accident, the first thing you need to do is to ask for their name, contact number, and the name of the insurance company they represent. 

This information is crucial for future communication or potential lawsuits you may want to file after the incident. 

Don’t Discuss Your Injuries

It’s standard procedure for insurance adjusters in car accident claims to ask about your injuries. However, you don’t have to go into detail, especially if you’re yet to receive a proper diagnosis from a medical professional. 

The extent of your injuries will determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to. Providing an insurance adjuster with the wrong information could hurt your claim. 

So, instead of speculating about the severity of your injury, it’s best to wait until a healthcare provider gives you a proper evaluation. If the insurance adjuster asks you about your injuries, tell them you’re waiting for a formal diagnosis from your doctor. 

Do Remain Calm

Staying calm and polite is vital when dealing with an insurance adjuster in a car accident claim. Even if you’re unhappy with the conversation, you must do your best to remain calm. Being rude or angry with them will not help. 

In some cases, insurance adjusters will use your temper against you. So, while keeping your emotions in check may be difficult, you must stay calm. 

Don’t Agree to A Recorded Statement

Some insurance adjusters will ask you for a recorded statement, claiming that it’s a requirement for your claim to be processed. 

However, this is not true. You don’t have to give a recorded statement to file a car accident claim. 

The main reason that insurance adjusters ask for recorded statements is so that they can look for inconsistencies in your story, which they will use to lower your payout.

Even if they’re insistent, you must stand your ground and tell them that you won’t give a recorded statement without a lawyer present. 

Do Take Note of Your Conversation

It would be best to take note of your conversation and other interactions with the insurance adjuster. This way, you can keep an accurate record of everything you’ve discussed.

Additionally, following up your conversation with written correspondence like emails is recommended. 

Don’t Admit Fault

Admitting fault is a common mistake that people make after a car accident. It’s natural to want to take responsibility for the incident, especially if you think that you’re partially at fault. However, it’s important to remember that admitting fault has serious legal consequences. 

If the insurance adjuster thinks you admitted fault in one interaction, they will use this to deny your claim or reduce your compensation. 

Do Answer Questions Truthfully

Answer all of the questions that the adjuster asks truthfully. Avoid giving exaggerated statements or downplaying the incident. 

Inaccuracies can make or break your case. So, it would be best to stick with truthful, short answers.

Don’t Accept The First Settlement Offer

Some insurance adjusters will go ahead and immediately offer you a settlement amount. But first settlement offers rarely reflect the true value of a car accident claim. 

Remember that the primary goal of most insurance adjusters is to secure a low payout amount. They will urge you to accept this first settlement offer, but you have every right to reject it. 

Do Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer

Don’t wait until an insurance adjuster calls you before you look for a personal injury lawyer. A trusted personal injury lawyer like those at Adamson Ahdoot will guide you on what to say when an insurance adjuster contacts you after a car accident. 

Personal injury attorneys know how to deal with and recognize the tactics an insurance adjuster uses to pressure injured car accident victims into accepting low settlement offers. They will advise you on properly navigating your interactions with insurance adjusters and help you secure fair compensation for your injuries. 

Work With A Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you’re looking for effective legal representation in California, look no further than Adamson Ahdoot. 

Adamson Ahdoot is one of California’s leading civil litigation firms dedicated to serving injured victims nationwide. Our team of personal injury lawyers has a combined legal experience of over 100 years. They have handled various car accident cases, from minor fender-benders to catastrophic collisions. 

With us by your side, you no longer have to worry about the looming presence of insurance adjusters in your life. Contact us at (800) 310-1606 and get unparalleled legal service today.