What You Should Know Before the Insurance Adjuster Calls

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, car crashes were the second leading cause of hospitalizations in Georgia in 2020. Being injured in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, and speaking with an insurance adjuster can add to your stress.  

A reliable personal injury attorney can help you fight for fair compensation. At The Law Offices of Peter Meyer, P.C. in Macon and Savannah, Georgia, we dedicate our time to supporting you throughout the insurance claims process.   

In the meantime, it’s important to know what to say—and what not to say—to an insurance adjuster. 

What Is the Insurance Adjuster’s Role?

After a car accident, you will most likely call your insurance company; if someone else was at fault, you may get a call from that person’s insurance company.   

An insurance adjuster will probably urge you to settle early. They want to save their company money, so this settlement will likely be for a much lower amount than what your claim is actually worth.   

Why You Should Refuse Requests for a Statement

The insurance adjuster may ask you to make a statement about the accident. It is unwise to give this statement for several reasons:  

Anything you say can be used against you. 

For example, if you answer “Okay” or “Fine” if they ask how you are today, they can argue that you aren’t as injured as you claim to be. 

The insurance adjuster is looking for ways to reduce your compensation. 

The insurance company can make it difficult to change your original statement later when you are trying to pursue your claim. For example, if you later find out that your injuries are more severe than you originally thought, they will argue that your original statement did not reflect this. 

The insurance adjuster will try to make you contradict yourself. 

For example, they may ask for a timeline of the accident a few times; if you answer slightly differently every time, they can claim that you misremembered details about the accident.  

Again, the aim of the insurance adjuster is to minimize the amount that the company will have to pay.   

You may be wondering if you even have to talk to an insurance adjuster. You are normally obligated to talk to your own insurance company after an accident, but there is no legal necessity for you to talk to someone else’s insurance company. They may, however, continue to call you until you talk to them. If you choose to speak with them, there are tactics you can use to minimize the information they receive and limit future calls. Always speak to your attorney first. 

What to Say to An Insurance Adjuster

The following are tips on what to say to an insurance adjuster. 

State that you do not give permission for them to record the conversation. 

The insurance adjuster may ask to record your conversation—or they may not even ask. Their aim is to pin you down to an original statement that will prove that you don’t need a large payout. Verbally deny them permission to record. Doing so without your permission is illegal. 

Don’t admit guilt. 

Do not say that you might have been partially at fault for the accident, even if you think you were. If you admit any guilt, the insurance company will argue your claim. 

Don’t answer questions if you don’t know the answer. 

Don’t guess or offer possibilities if you’re not sure. Remember, anything you say can be used against you later. 

Don’t volunteer additional information. 

You can tell them your name, date of birth, home address, and very basic information about the accident (such as where the accident took place and the type of vehicles involved). Do not describe injuries in detail; say that you are still getting medically evaluated. Do not say anything about your work, income, or medical history. 

Keep it brief. 

For now, let the insurance adjuster know that you will only be talking briefly, and tell them not to contact you following this call. 

Don’t sign anything before it’s reviewed by an attorney. 

Eventually, your attorney will give the insurance company a detailed letter outlining your personal injury claim. Until then, do not sign anything. 

What Information Will They Ask You to Provide?

The insurance adjuster will ask for identifying information such as your name, date of birth, and address. As outlined above, they will try to get details about the accident and about your injuries—all of which it is better not to give.   

Let Our Firm Represent You 

If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important to contact an experienced car accident attorney to help you with the personal injury claims process. Our team at The Law Offices of Peter Meyer, P.C. has been helping clients win their personal injury claims for over two decades. Our attorney is committed to fighting for the remuneration you deserve.  

Call us today for a consultation. We proudly serve clients in Macon and Savannah, Georgia, as well as Bibb, Houston, Laurens, Chatham, Peach, Twiggs, Jones, Dodge, Telfair, Wheeler, Bullock, Candler, and Bleckley, Georgia.