Dealing with an insurer following a car crash can be quite stressful, particularly if the insurance adjuster reduces your claim’s value. As a victim who sustained injuries, you must be careful with the information you give to the adjuster and consult with an injury lawyer before you make decisions. If you are being contacted by insurance companies after a car accident, you need to know what exactly to do.

Steps to Take After Getting Calls from an Insurer

You do not have to speak with the insurance company of the other driver when they call. Instead, you can refer the caller to your attorney. But if you talk to them yourself, just be cautious. The goal of the caller is to reduce the amount of compensation you will get. The adjuster will try to obtain information that they can use against you.

Things to Keep in Mind When Answering Questions from an Adjuster

When you speak with an insurance adjuster, do not say something about your injuries. Tell the adjuster that you are getting medical treatment or that they can get updates about your injuries from your attorney. Make sure to answer only the questions asked and never voluntarily provide additional information. 

In addition, you should not agree to give the adjuster a recorded statement. They may just use your statement against you. Make sure to stick only to the facts and don’t give an opinion about anything. For future reference, make sure you get the adjuster’s name and contact information. Also, take notes during the talk and be honest. Lying or exaggerating may hurt your case.

How Insurance Adjusters Devalue Your Claim

To reduce the value of your claim, an adjuster will use any of the following tactics:

• Request a recorded statement. The insurance adjuster may say that giving them a recorded statement will accelerate the entire claim process. However, they may use this information against you or your claim. 
• Ask you to authorize them to access your medical records. Signing a medical release authorization will provide the adjuster with access to your past and present medical records. The insurer may use the information they may get to devalue or deny your claim if they find out you have a preexisting condition.
• Telling you that you don’t need an attorney. The adjuster may get you to talk to them without speaking with a lawyer. they may convince you that you don’t need an attorney to get compensation from them. Unfortunately, this compensation will be lower than you deserve.