When you file an insurance claim after a car accident, an insurance adjuster will follow up on your case. Insurance adjusters are special investigators who work for insurance companies and try to reduce the value of your claim to save the insurance company money. Any statement you make to the adjuster could negatively impact the value of your case.
“So what do I do if an insurance adjuster calls me?” is a common question to have. Learn more about what to say and what to avoid saying when an insurance adjuster calls about an accident in Indiana. Below, our team at The Law Offices of Stewart & Stewart explains.
What an Insurance Adjuster Will Do in Your Claim
The insurance adjuster will collect contact information and statements from witnesses, make notes in the claim file about the time of the accident and reported injuries, and suggest settlement offers for the insurance company to make in your claim.
Your claim’s insurance adjuster may also call you for additional information about the car accident and add your statements to your file. Remember that even if you file your claim with your own insurance company, their goal is to reduce the value of your claim by denying or underpaying your claim—even if you have real pain from the accident. If your insurance adjuster calls, avoid engaging in the following discussions.
Don’t Admit Fault
The insurance adjuster working on your claim could misconstrue any statement that might imply that you were in any part responsible for the accident or your injuries. Instead, let the results of the investigation speak for themselves.
Indiana is a comparative negligence state, meaning that if your case goes to court, you may not receive any compensation if you were more than 50% responsible for the accident or your injuries.
Don’t Speculate About the Accident
The insurance adjuster may ask leading questions to get you to speculate about the cause of the accident or if you could have done anything differently to avoid the accident. The truth could be different from any conjecture you mention to the adjuster. Instead, avoid making any statements that require you to speculate about the accident.
Don’t Discuss Injuries from Your Accident
Right after an accident when you call your insurance company to report the accident, they may ask how you feel. Don’t ever say that you’re okay or not in pain. Instead, say that you plan to get a thorough examination from a doctor.
Never Give a Recorded Statement
The adjuster will try to persuade you to give a recorded statement so they can find conflicting statements in your story. Never agree to give a recorded statement.
Don’t Settle Your Claim Without an Attorney
Many early settlement offers are low-ball offers to close the claim quickly before you realize the extent of your injuries or the value of your claim. Never accept an early settlement offer. Hiring an attorney to help with your claim can help you get a better settlement.
What to Talk to the Insurance Adjuster About
There is very little you should ever say to an insurance adjuster. Instead, you should hire an attorney right after a car accident and refer the insurance adjuster to your attorney when they call you. Simply get the adjuster’s contact information and tell them that you’ll have your attorney contact them.
Contact Us at The Law Offices of Stewart & Stewart for an Indiana Accident
At The Law Offices of Stewart & Stewart in Carmel, IN, we have over 40 years of experience representing injured people. Call us at 800-33-33-LAW or contact us online to schedule a free consultation in Carmel, IN.