How to Deal With Insurance Adjusters After a Car Accident

Within hours or days of your car accident, your phone will start ringing. Insurance adjusters — both from your own insurer and from the other driver's company — will call, often sounding friendly and helpful. Don't be fooled. Here's what you need to know about dealing with adjusters effectively.

Understand Who You're Talking To

An insurance adjuster is an employee or independent contractor whose job is to investigate your claim and settle it for as little money as possible. They are not neutral. They are not on your side. Even your own insurance company's adjuster has a financial incentive to minimize what they pay you.

Adjusters receive training in:

• Eliciting statements that can be used to deny or reduce claims
• Identifying inconsistencies between your account and the physical evidence
• Creating urgency to pressure quick, low settlements
• Identifying pre-existing conditions they can use to dispute causation

The Other Driver's Insurance Company

You have no legal obligation to speak with the at-fault driver's insurance adjuster. They will call you and sound helpful and reasonable. They may ask for a recorded statement. Politely decline both:

• "I've retained an attorney. Please direct all communications to them."
• "I'm not prepared to give a statement at this time."

Your Own Insurance Company

Your policy likely requires you to cooperate with your own insurer's investigation. You generally must report the accident, provide basic facts, and cooperate with their process. However, even with your own insurer:

• Be precise and factual — don't speculate about fault or injuries
• Don't say you feel "fine" or minimize your symptoms
• If you're making a UM/UIM claim against your own insurer, consult an attorney first — your own insurer becomes an adversary in those situations

7 Things to Never Say to an Insurance Adjuster

1. "I'm sorry" or "I apologize" — admission of fault
2. "I feel okay / I think I'm fine" — injuries may not have manifested yet
3. "It was just a minor accident" — dismisses the severity of the collision
4. "I wasn't looking / I was distracted" — admission of negligence
5. "Sure, you can record this" — without attorney approval
6. "I had a bad back before this" — gives them the pre-existing condition argument
7. "I don't need a lawyer" — music to their ears

What You Should Say

If you must communicate with an adjuster before retaining an attorney, keep it minimal and factual:

• Confirm the accident occurred on the date and location stated
• Provide your name, address, and policy number (for your own insurer)
• State that you are receiving medical treatment and the full extent of your injuries is not yet determined
• State that you will provide additional information through your attorney

Watch for These Common Tactics

The Rushed Settlement

"We'd like to close this out quickly — here's $5,000 right now." Early settlements are almost always far below case value. The insurer wants to close your claim before you understand the full extent of your injuries.

Sympathy Play

Adjusters are trained to build rapport. Friendly conversation leads to off-guard statements that get used against you. A pleasant tone does not mean a fair outcome.

Broad Medical Release

They may ask you to sign a medical authorization giving them access to your entire medical history. This allows them to fish for pre-existing conditions. Never sign a blanket medical release — only authorize records related to the specific injuries from the accident.

Delay Tactics

If your claim is strong, some insurers will stall — requesting more documentation, claiming the file is under review, transferring your claim to a new adjuster. These delays are strategic. The statute of limitations is still running, and your evidence window (video, skid marks, witness memories) is narrowing.