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The insurance company takes many factors into account when calculating your claim, but there still might be details they need to fit the final puzzle pieces together. They may even reach out to you to verify information, but there’s a specific way you need to handle these calls.
You need to provide only facts about the situation and steer clear of mentioning fault of any kind. Giving them information that they can use against you will almost always come up during the claims process, so you must know how to handle a call from your insurance provider, the at-fault party’s provider, or both before your phone rings.
What Is an Insurance Adjuster, and What Do They Do?
Insurance adjusters are the people who evaluate incoming insurance claims. They cross-check your policy with your claim for damages and medical records, ensure their company follows the legal obligation of your contract, and determine your payout.
Their paycheck comes from evaluating claims to their company’s standard and driving revenue whenever possible. Your insurance provider might not try to dishonor your contract, but the at-fault party’s provider could try to contact you and get you to slip up, letting go of some information that they can use to devalue or deny the money they have to pay you.
Insurance adjusters are people, just like you. They aren’t someone you should immediately treat with hostility, but you should speak with caution if contacted. They have a job to do, and so do you. Protecting your future compensation is most important, so it’s recommended that you speak with a legal expert after filing your claim to learn how to handle the specifics of these calls without falling victim to deceptive practices.
How Should I Speak to an Insurance Adjuster if They Call?
You should only provide facts, not opinions or speculations, and give them the information they request, nothing else. If they ask for additional information, there’s no problem with pausing the conversation until you’ve spoken with your attorney.
Here are a few ways insurance adjusters try to deceive victims into admitting fault:
- Engaging in excess small talk to disarm the person
- Aggressively pursuing specific details, said in a specific way
- Asking for speculation
- Pressing you for information that hasn’t been officially determined in a formal investigation
Outside of verifying personal information or details they’re already aware of, insurance adjusters asking intrusive questions is a red flag. You can speak vaguely to avoid giving up sensitive information. Although they might not like your answers, you’re simply protecting your best interest, just as they are.
What Shouldn’t I Say to an Insurance Claims Adjuster?
There are a few topics you should avoid entirely, such as:
- Admission of Fault: Giving a claims adjuster anything that they can use as an admission of fault will complicate your ability to receive rightful compensation. Even something as simple as saying, “My bad,” or “I’m sorry for…” can potentially be used against you, so it’s best to leave emotion out of it.
- Discussion of Injuries: Insurance adjusters may try to dig deeper into your injuries to find information they can use to devalue your claim. They may ask about the severity, recovery timeline, or the treatment you received in hopes you slip up and give them something they can use.
- Permission to Record the Conversation: In most cases, an insurance adjuster recording a post-claim conversation isn’t for quality assurance. They’re likely asking you for permission to record so they can look back on the conversation later and see if anything you said can be spun to warrant lesser compensation.
Have a notepad nearby so you’re ready to write down important questions and comments brought up during the call. This will help you remember what was said to pass on to your attorney at a later date. It also provides a written record, although informal, that the conversation occurred, which could be important later.
Morgan and Morgan Can Help You Navigate Your Post Accident Timeline
School doesn’t teach you how to handle the steps after an accident. If you haven’t been in one before, the following steps can be complicated, overwhelming, and very stressful.
Having an attorney at your side makes the process much easier. They’ll have seen your situation before, which gives you an undeniable edge as you seek to recover every penny you’re entitled to. Not only that, but their involvement also provides a buffer between you and the finer legal details, giving you a chance to relax and focus on your recovery.
Morgan and Morgan has an extensive track record of success across all our practice areas. If you’re looking for proficient legal assistance after an accident, there’s no better choice than our team. Complete our free, no-risk case evaluation to get started.