Unraveling The Role Of An Accident Insurance Adjuster: Expectations And Insights

After a car accident, an insurance adjuster will contact you with questions about the crash. The adjuster's role is to gather information to process your claim, settle the claim as quickly as possible, and for the lowest amount possible. While adjusters may seem friendly and understanding, they are not on your side. They are out to protect their employer and reduce their liability. They will ask you questions about the accident, your injuries, and your personal information. It is important to be extremely wary when talking to an insurance adjuster, as they may try to use your own comments against you to reduce the amount of compensation you receive.

The insurance adjuster will contact you within a few days of the accident

After a car accident, you can expect the insurance adjuster to contact you within a few days, and sometimes as soon as 24 to 48 hours after the incident. The adjuster will likely contact you by phone, but if they are local, they may request an in-person interview.

The insurance adjuster's primary goal is to settle your claim as quickly as possible and for the lowest amount. They will ask you questions about the accident, your injuries, and your personal information. They may also try to record the conversation, but you are not obligated to agree to this.

• Remain calm and polite: Although you may still be dealing with the aftermath of the accident, try to remain calm and polite during your interactions with the adjuster. Avoid taking out any anger or frustration on them.
• Get their information: Before discussing anything, ask the adjuster for their name, phone number, email address, and the name of the insurance company they represent.
• Provide limited personal information: Share only basic information such as your full name, address, and phone number. You can also provide your job title and employer, but avoid giving details about your salary, work schedule, or medical history.
• Stick to the facts about the accident: Provide only the most basic details of the accident, including the date, time, location, vehicles involved, and names of any witnesses. Avoid discussing fault or speculating about the circumstances.
• Do not give details about your injuries: Inform the adjuster that you are still undergoing treatment and that the full extent of your injuries is not yet known. Do not give in to pressure to provide a detailed description of your injuries.
• Refuse to accept an immediate settlement offer: Insurance adjusters may try to pressure you into accepting a quick and low settlement offer before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and the value of your claim. It is in your best interest to refrain from accepting any settlement offers during the initial conversations.
• Set clear limits: Make it clear that you will not be discussing extensive details over the phone. Inform the adjuster that you will provide additional information in writing if needed.
• Do not agree to a recorded statement: You are not legally obligated to provide a recorded statement, and it is against the law for the adjuster to record you without your consent. Refuse any requests for a recorded statement politely but firmly.
• Take notes: After the conversation, write down the information you received and provided during the call. Note any requests or commitments made by either party.

Remember, the insurance adjuster represents the opposing party, even if they are from your insurance company. Their objective is to protect their employer's interests and minimise their liability. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious and seek legal advice if needed before providing sensitive information.

They will ask for basic personal information

After a car accident, an insurance adjuster will contact you to ask some basic questions about yourself. They will be looking to gather information that will be used to process your claim.

You can expect to answer questions about your name, phone number, and address. It is also a good idea to ask for the name of the insurance adjuster. They may also ask about your occupation, in which case it is fine to provide your job title and the name of your employer, but it is best not to share information about your salary, work schedule, or the nature of your work. This is irrelevant to your car accident situation and could give the insurance adjuster a reason to reduce your compensation.

Remember that everything you say in a conversation with an insurance adjuster will be scrutinized and could be used against your claim. They are not on your side and their objective is to settle your claim as quickly as possible and for the lowest amount possible.

They will ask for details about the accident

When an insurance adjuster contacts you, they will ask a series of questions about the accident. The answers to these questions, along with other information they have gathered, will be used to process your claim and determine how much compensation you are owed. It's important to remember that insurance adjusters are not on your side and will try to use your answers to reduce their company's liability.

• When and where did the accident happen?
• What is the year, make, and model of your car?
• How did the accident happen?
• Were other vehicles involved? If so, how many?
• What were the makes and models of the other vehicles involved?
• What were the names and contact information of the other drivers?
• What sort of damage was done to your car and the other vehicles involved?
• Does your car need repairing?
• Was anyone hurt? If so, who was hurt and what are their names and contact information?
• Was anyone treated by paramedics or taken to a medical facility for treatment? If so, who treated them and where were they taken?
• Did anyone witness the accident? What are their names and contact information?
• Did a police officer come to the scene? If so, what is their name or badge number, and from what agency are they?
• Was a police report taken?
• Did you have your vehicle towed, or did you take it to a repair shop? Which one?
• Do you have copies of any bills, receipts, or other paperwork relating to the accident?

When answering these questions, it's important to provide only basic information and avoid discussing the circumstances of the accident in detail. Stick to facts such as the date, time, location, and type of accident. Avoid speculating or making assumptions about the cause of the accident, and do not admit fault or apologise, even if you think you may be partially at fault. It's also important to avoid discussing your injuries in detail, as your condition may change, and new injuries may be discovered. Simply state that you are being treated by a doctor for injuries related to the accident.

Remember that you are under no obligation to provide a recorded statement or give the insurance company access to your medical records. You have the right to delay the conversation and consult with an attorney, who can help ensure that the insurance company has the information they need without jeopardising your compensation.

They will ask about your injuries

When an insurance adjuster calls you after an accident, they will ask about your injuries. However, it is important to remember that the adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you, and their objective is to get you to accept the lowest amount of compensation possible in the shortest amount of time. Therefore, it is crucial that you do not give them any details about your injuries when they call. Your condition is still developing, and you do not yet know the full extent of your injuries or how they will impact your life.

• Do not give a detailed description of your injuries. Simply state that you are "still treating" and leave it at that. You may discover additional injuries later, or your injuries may turn out to be worse than you initially thought.
• Do not answer questions about how you have been feeling since the accident or if you have been in pain. These seemingly innocent questions can be used against you to undervalue your claim. For example, if you say you are "fine," the adjuster may twist your answer to make it seem like you are not seriously injured.
• Do not agree to give the insurance adjuster access to your medical records without first consulting an attorney. The insurance company may try to dig through your medical history to find a pre-existing condition that could indicate your injury wasn't caused by the accident.
• Speak to a personal injury attorney before discussing your injuries with the insurance adjuster. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and ensure that the insurance company has the information they need without jeopardizing your compensation.
• Take your time and let a doctor assess your injuries before agreeing to any settlement offers. Adrenaline and shock after an accident can mask the extent of your injuries, and you may be unaware of internal injuries that only a doctor can diagnose.
• Remember that insurance adjusters are trained to save the insurance company money. They will use various tactics to pressure you into accepting a low settlement or to get you to say something that can be used against your claim.
• Be firm but polite, and do not let the adjuster intimidate you. Stand your ground and do not give in to their demands or pressure tactics.

They will try to settle quickly and for a low amount

It's important to remember that insurance adjusters are not on your side. They work for the insurance company, and their goal is to settle your claim as quickly as possible and for the lowest amount. This is because the lower the value of your claim, the more money the insurance company saves.

• Understand their goals: Remember that the insurance adjuster is a representative of the insurance company and is looking out for their bottom line, not your best interests. Their job is to reduce the company's liability and save them money.
• Don't admit fault: One of their main goals may be to shift the blame from their insured client to you. Even if you think you may be partially at fault, do not discuss this with the adjuster. Avoid any language that could be construed as apologetic or admitting blame. Admitting fault can reduce or eliminate your compensation.
• Avoid giving too much information: Only provide basic information about yourself, such as your name, phone number, and address. You can also provide your job title and employer, but avoid sharing details about your salary, work schedule, or the nature of your work, as this could be used to lower your compensation.
• Stick to the facts about the accident: Provide only the most basic details, such as the date, time, location, vehicles involved, and names of any witnesses. Avoid speculation or providing additional information. The adjuster can obtain the police report and speak to witnesses to gather more information.
• Don't discuss your injuries: Don't give any details about your injuries, as your condition may change, and you may discover new injuries or complications. Simply state that you are being treated by a doctor for injuries related to the accident.
• Don't give a recorded statement: You are not obligated to provide a recorded statement, and it is not recommended. The adjuster may use your statement against you to reduce your settlement offer or deny your claim.
• Don't accept a quick settlement offer: It's almost never a good idea to accept a quick settlement offer, especially if you don't yet know the full extent of your injuries and damages. A quick settlement offer is often a tactic used by insurance adjusters to get you to accept a lower amount before you fully understand the value of your claim.
• Set limits on conversations: Let the adjuster know that you will not be discussing details about the accident, your injuries, or settlement amounts until you have finished your medical treatment and fully understand the extent of your injuries and damages. Ask the adjuster to communicate with you in writing until you are ready to present your written demand for compensation.
• Get everything in writing: If you do reach a settlement agreement, make sure to get it in writing. Don't sign anything until you have reviewed the offer and are satisfied with the terms.
• Consult an attorney: If you're unsure how to handle the insurance adjuster or feel that your claim is not being taken seriously, consider consulting a personal injury attorney. An attorney can help protect your rights, negotiate on your behalf, and ensure that you receive fair compensation.

Frequently asked questions