**Navigating The Conversation: Strategies For Speaking With Insurance Adjusters**

Talking to an insurance adjuster can be a tricky situation, especially after a car accident. It is important to remember that insurance adjusters are not your friends and are not looking out for your best interests. They work for the insurance company and their goal is to ensure that you receive as little money as possible for your settlement. Here are some tips on what to say and what not to say when speaking to an insurance adjuster:

- It is important to remain calm and polite, even if you are still angry about the accident. Being rude to the insurance adjuster will not help you get a fair settlement.

- Before discussing anything, be sure to get the name, phone number, and email address of the person you are speaking with, as well as the name of the insurance company and the person or business they insure.

- Only provide limited personal information, such as your full name, address, and phone number. You can also tell them about your job, but you do not need to provide any other details about your work, schedule, income, or medical history.

- Do not give any details about the accident beyond the basics, such as where and when it happened, the type of accident, and the vehicles involved. Do not admit fault or apologise, as this could be used against you.

- Do not provide any details about your injuries. Simply state that you are still receiving medical treatment.

- Do not accept any early settlement offers, as they are often lower than what you are entitled to. Wait until you know the full extent of your losses before accepting any offers.

- Refuse to give any recorded statements, as you are not legally required to do so.

Remain calm and polite

It is important to remain calm and polite when speaking to an insurance claims adjuster. This is because losing your temper or being rude will not help your claim get processed smoothly or help you get a fair settlement. The adjuster is not your friend, and their goal is to ensure you receive as little money as possible for your settlement. They will use various tactics to reduce your final settlement, so it is crucial to keep your cool and be professional.

Being calm and polite may also help the adjuster handle your claim more promptly and convince them that your story is correct. It can be difficult to keep your emotions in check, especially if you are angry about the accident or your injuries, but it is important to remember that the adjuster is not on your side. They are under no obligation to be honest or fair, and their main objective is to get you to accept the lowest amount of money possible in the shortest amount of time.

If you remain calm and polite, you are also less likely to inadvertently say something that the adjuster can use against you. It is important to remember that adjusters use every communication to update your claim file and seek possible reasons to reduce or deny your settlement. So, even if the adjuster seems friendly and compassionate, it is crucial to maintain a professional demeanour and provide only the basic information they need to process your claim.

In addition to remaining calm and polite, there are several other things to keep in mind when speaking to an insurance claims adjuster. These include getting the name and contact information of the adjuster, providing only limited personal information, refusing to discuss the details of the accident or your injuries, and not agreeing to a recorded statement or signing anything without first speaking to an attorney. It is also important to resist the pressure to settle immediately and to remember that you have the right to delay the conversation and consult with an attorney at any time.

Identify the person you speak with

It is important to identify the person you are speaking with before discussing anything with an insurance claims adjuster. Get their name, phone number, email address, and business address. Make sure you know which insurance carrier they are representing as well as the name or business of the policyholder they are covering. Write down this information.

You are not legally required to speak with a representative of another insurance company. If it makes you uncomfortable, you can decline to talk to them, ask them to call the adjuster from your insurance company, or tell them you will only speak in the presence of your lawyer.

Give limited personal information

When speaking to an insurance adjuster, it is important to remember that you are not obligated to disclose any information beyond the basics. Here are some guidelines to follow when providing personal information:

• Provide only the essential details: Share your full name, address, and phone number. You can also inform them of your workplace and job type, but avoid divulging further details about your daily activities, work schedule, or income.
• Be cautious about your medical history: Adjusters may attempt to obtain previous injury records to find pre-existing conditions that could weaken your case. Consult with your lawyer before disclosing any medical information beyond what is specifically related to the claim.
• Decline requests for recorded statements: You are not legally required to provide a recorded statement, and it could be used against you. Politely refuse such requests, stating your discomfort with being recorded.
• Limit the scope of the conversation: Make it clear that you will not discuss much on the call. Set boundaries and emphasise that you will provide further details in writing at a later stage.
• Be mindful of your privacy: Insurance adjusters may try to gather information about your daily life, work schedule, or income. Protect your privacy by steering the conversation back to the relevant details of the incident.
• Consult with an attorney: If you are unsure about what information to disclose, consider seeking legal advice. An experienced attorney can guide you on what to share and protect your interests throughout the process.

Remember, insurance adjusters are not your friends. They work for the insurance company and aim to minimise payouts. Protect yourself by being cautious about the personal information you disclose.

Do not admit fault

When speaking to an insurance adjuster, it is crucial to remember that they are not your friend and are not looking out for your best interests. Their primary objective is to protect their company's bottom line by denying or reducing claims. Therefore, it is essential to proceed with caution and avoid admitting fault under any circumstances. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you navigate these conversations effectively:

Understand the Adjuster's Role:

Before speaking to an insurance adjuster, it is helpful to understand their role and priorities. Adjusters typically have three main goals: preventing insurance fraud, settling claims for a low amount, and settling claims quickly. They are skilled negotiators who may use various tactics to reduce your settlement.

Remain Calm and Polite:

Even if you are angry about the accident, maintain a calm and polite demeanour during your interactions with the adjuster. Being hostile or aggressive will not help your case and may negatively impact the outcome.

Provide Limited Personal Information:

You are only required to provide basic personal information, such as your full name, address, and contact details. You can also share information about your employment, but avoid disclosing unnecessary details about your daily life, work schedule, or income.

Avoid Admitting Fault:

Refrain from Discussing the Accident in Detail:

Provide only the most basic details about the accident, including the date, time, location, vehicles involved, and names of any witnesses. Avoid speculating about the circumstances or providing opinions about who is at fault. Inform the adjuster that your investigation is ongoing, and you will provide further details at a later stage.

Do Not Discuss Your Injuries:

Insurance adjusters will typically ask about your injuries, but it is advisable not to provide detailed information. At this early stage, you may not know the full extent of your injuries, and your condition could change. Simply state that you are still undergoing medical treatment, and further details will be provided by your attorney.

Resist Initial Settlement Offers:

Insurance adjusters may offer an early settlement, but it is crucial to resist the temptation to accept it. Initial offers are often significantly lower than what you may be rightfully entitled to. Wait until you have a full understanding of your losses and injuries before considering any settlement offers.

Refuse to Give Recorded Statements:

You are not obligated to provide recorded statements to insurance adjusters. They may use these recordings to scrutinise your words and find inconsistencies to undermine your claim. Politely decline any requests for recorded statements and inform the adjuster that you prefer to provide information in writing.

Seek Legal Representation:

Consider hiring an experienced personal injury attorney to protect your rights and negotiate on your behalf. An attorney can guide you through the claims process, ensure you do not inadvertently compromise your claim, and help you obtain a fair settlement.

Remember, the insurance adjuster's primary loyalty is to their company, not to you. By following these instructions and seeking legal advice, you can protect yourself from unfair settlements and ensure your interests are represented effectively.

Do not give a recorded statement

It is important to remember that insurance adjusters are not your friends and that they work for the insurance carrier. Their goal is to ensure that you receive as little money as possible for your settlement. They will use various tactics to reduce your final settlement.

Recorded Statements Can Be Used Against You

Recorded statements rarely benefit those involved in accidents. Most insurance providers use recorded statements to get claimants to say things that can later be twisted and used against them. For example, if you say you didn't incur any injuries from the crash but start to notice symptoms later on, they can use your original statement to deny benefits.

You Are Not Legally Required to Provide a Recorded Statement

In most places, you are not legally required to provide a recorded statement to an insurance company. It is in your best interest to delay the call if you are feeling overwhelmed or are in pain from your accident. Even when you are feeling better, insurance companies can still use manipulative tactics to get you to say things that can be used against you.

Recorded Statements Don't Benefit Your Claim

A recorded statement usually will not help your claim but can be used against you.

You May Not Know the Full Extent of Your Injuries

Insurance adjusters often contact claimants quickly after an accident, often within a few days. At this stage, you likely do not know the full extent of your injuries. Accident injuries may have delayed onsets, and you don't know how fully you will recover from your known injuries.

Recorded Statements Can Be Manipulative

Insurance adjusters are trained to ask specific questions in specific ways. They will ask vague questions or questions with no clear answers to make you sound less sure about how the accident happened. They may also ask about your medical history or whether you were taking any medication. You are not required to answer these types of questions, but they won't tell you that.

Recorded Statements Can Lead to Inconsistencies

When you give a recorded statement, the insurance company will compare everything you say to the accident report, witness statements, and what you told police officers at the scene. Anything that doesn't match will be used to cast doubt on your claim.

You Can Provide a Written Statement Instead

You can decline to give a recorded statement and say that you will send a written statement instead. A written statement allows you to revise and ensure that your account of the accident is clear and accurate.

Consult an Attorney First

If you are unsure about giving a recorded statement, consult an attorney first. An experienced attorney can help ensure that you don't inadvertently say something that could weaken your claim. They can also handle all communication with the insurer on your behalf.

Frequently asked questions