Insurance Adjuster What Not to Say in a Claim

Talking to an insurance adjuster can be intimidating, especially if you're not familiar with the process. Avoid saying things that can harm your claim or make the adjuster think you're not credible.

Don't mention any pre-existing conditions or past claims. This is because insurance companies often use this information to deny or reduce your current claim.

Being honest is crucial, but being overly honest can be detrimental. Avoid sharing personal details that aren't relevant to the claim, such as your medical history or financial struggles.

Insurance adjusters are trained to look for inconsistencies in your story. Avoid contradicting yourself or changing your story, as this can raise suspicions and harm your claim.

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In a personal injury case, it's essential to be mindful of what you say to an insurance adjuster. You don't want to inadvertently admit fault or provide grounds for the insurer to deny your claim.

Some key phrases to avoid saying to an insurance adjuster include phrases that imply fault or responsibility for the accident.

Admitting fault, even if it's only partial, can drastically reduce your claim's value or lead to it being denied outright.

Here are some specific phrases to avoid:

Insurance companies want to close claims quickly and cheaply, so they'll look for ways to save money. Admitting blame can give them grounds to dispute liability for your damages.

If you're found partly at fault for an accident, your compensation will be reduced in accordance with your degree of fault. For example, if you're 20 percent at fault, you'll lose 20 percent of your award.

This can lead to defensiveness and a breakdown in communication. Instead, stick to open-ended questions that allow the insured to provide a clear and concise account of what happened. For example, "Can you describe what you were doing before the accident occurred?"

The goal is to gather as much information as possible without influencing the insured's response. By asking neutral questions, you can build trust and get to the root of the incident.

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Don't answer questions about the incident before speaking to an attorney. This is because the insurance adjuster might use your answers against you.

You can give the insurance adjuster basic information, such as your name and contact details. This is okay, but be careful not to give them more than that.

If the adjuster asks for further details, tell them you'll have your attorney provide the information. This is a good way to avoid saying something that might hurt your case.

The insurance adjuster might use any inconsistencies in your story as evidence against you. So, it's best to stick to the facts and not try to fill in gaps that you're not sure about.

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Don't discuss your injuries with the insurance company until you know the full scope of your injuries. This is because some injuries, like internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries, don't always show symptoms right away.

You could risk not getting the compensation you need to pay for your medical expenses and other losses if you downplay your pain too quickly. This is especially true if you only feel a little sore and banged up.

Writing off your pain too quickly can give the insurance carrier grounds to downplay your injuries, leading to lower offers. Your lawyer will share only the necessary records to prove your injuries at the right time, but any earlier discussion could jeopardize your claim.

Discussing your injuries too early can lead to unneeded delays and complications, and in the worst cases, the insurance company might even deny your claim for damages.

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Don't give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster without talking to a lawyer first. This can be a huge mistake, as it's easy to make a mistake that can hurt your case.

Insurance companies love recorded statements because they can use them to find inconsistencies and contradictions. They can take your words out of context and use them against you.

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You don't have to give a recorded statement, and it's actually a good idea not to. You can politely decline the request and tell the adjuster you're not ready to give a statement yet.

If you're asked to give a recorded statement, don't do it. You can submit a written statement instead, which gives you more control over what you say. Your lawyer can also review it before you submit it to make sure it doesn't hurt your case.

When describing an accident to an insurance adjuster, it's essential to stick to what you experienced directly.

Don't speculate about what happened, as you could accidentally blame yourself. This could give the insurance company a reason to reduce your compensation.

You don't have to answer questions you're unsure about. Simply say, "I don't know."

This approach shows you're honest and transparent, which is exactly what you want when dealing with an insurance adjuster.

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Sharing sensitive information can be a costly mistake in your insurance claim.

Don't volunteer information about substance use, as it can be used against you to deny or reduce your claim. After a car crash, the insurance company might blame you for the accident, and evidence of drug or alcohol use can be used to deny your claim.

Never sign permission forms to release your entire medical history, as it can be used to downplay your injuries and reduce the value of your claim. Insurance carriers may trick claimants into waiving access to their complete medical history, which can be a huge mistake.

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It's tempting to share information about your injuries after a car accident, but doing so can actually work against you.

Describing your injuries in detail can lead to minimizing or exaggerating them, which is why it's best to refer the insurance adjuster to your car accident lawyer.

Don't let an insurance company look at your medical records directly, as they can use this information to weaken your case.

You should not give the insurance company any ammunition to use against you, so let your lawyer present your case in the strongest way possible.

Discussing your injuries or lack of injuries with the insurance company can give them grounds to downplay your injuries and offer you less money.

A doctor's examination is crucial because some injuries, like internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries, may not immediately show symptoms.

You need to know the full scope of your injuries before sharing any information, and your lawyer will share only the necessary records to prove your injuries.

Don't give information about your physical or emotional condition to an insurance adjuster, as they might be trying to get you to say you're "fine" so they can later use these words against you.

Politely tell the insurance adjuster that you'll get back to them after speaking with your lawyer, rather than automatically saying you're okay.

Sharing information about substance use can be a major mistake in personal injury cases.

After a car crash, insurance companies may blame you for the accident if they suspect drunk driving.

A Breathalyzer or field tests given by the police at the scene can reveal drug and alcohol use, which will be included in the police report.

Your medical record might also show evidence of drug and/or alcohol use, which can harm your claim.

Never volunteer information that confirms you consumed alcohol or any drugs, even if it was a long time before the incident.

In fact, avoid all discussions about substance use to protect your claim and prevent the other side from getting ammunition to avoid financial liability for your injuries.

Don't give the insurance company access to your entire medical history. They may use it to downplay your injuries and argue that preexisting conditions caused your symptoms.

Insurance companies may ask for a copy of your medical records, but only those related to the accident. They might try to trick you into waiving access to your complete medical history.

If you have a preexisting injury, like a back injury from 20 years ago, the insurance company will use it against you. They'll argue that the accident didn't cause your injury.

Let a lawyer review your case and provide them with only the information they need to process the claim. Your attorney can review any forms and ensure you don't authorize unnecessary access.

Never sign any permission forms that give the insurance company access to your complete medical history. It's better to be safe than sorry and protect your sensitive information.

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Interacting with the adjuster can be a daunting task, especially if you're unsure of what to say. Don't give out personal information such as your job responsibilities or income.

Take notes during the conversation to keep track of what the adjuster asks and what you respond. Write down their name, the insurance company they work for, phone number, email address, and the name of the person they're representing.

Don't over-explain what happened in the accident - just stick to the basics. You should only share your name, address, phone number, and where you work. Avoid discussing the details of the accident, as this can compromise your claim.

Here are some key things to avoid saying during the conversation:

By being mindful of these do's and don'ts, you can navigate the conversation with confidence and protect your rights.

If the other party's insurance adjuster contacts you, there are ways to handle the conversation.

Identifying the caller is crucial, so make sure to get their name, the insurance company they work for, a phone number and email address, and the name of the person they are representing.

Take notes during the conversation to keep track of what the adjuster asked and what your responses were.

Don't over-explain what happened in the accident, and avoid giving out personal information such as your job responsibilities or income.

Only share the basics, like your name, address, phone number, and where you work.

Don't discuss the details of the accident, including how it occurred. Stick to the facts, like where it happened, what vehicles were involved, and if there were any witnesses.

Let the adjuster know that the investigation is ongoing and you have no further information to share.

Don't discuss your injuries, as this can be a sensitive topic. Instead, say you're still being evaluated and may be able to provide more details later.

If the adjuster calls you multiple times, politely let them know you're not willing to discuss the accident in detail.

Be cautious about recorded statements – they have no right to record you unless you give them permission.

If you accept a settlement offer too quickly, you may be getting less than what you deserve. Take time to get an accurate picture of your claim's worth.

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Don't make it easy for insurance companies to find information that could hurt your claim by offering names of family, friends, or witnesses.

Insurance companies often investigate claims to determine liability, and they may continue investigating after their initial determination.

Never provide names and contact information for anyone involved in the accident, as well-meaning people might say something that hurts your claim.

It's best to err on the side of caution and let your lawyer handle the communication with family, friends, coworkers, or witnesses.

When interacting with your insurance claims adjuster, it's essential to communicate effectively to ensure a smooth and fair process.

Be clear and concise in your communication, and only provide the information requested.

You should provide a detailed account of the accident, including dates, times, and locations.

It's also a good idea to keep a record of all correspondence with the adjuster, including emails, phone calls, and meetings.

If you've already reported the incident to the police or taken photos of the damage, be sure to share this information with the adjuster.

Here are some key things to say to your insurance claims adjuster: