What You Should Do If a Claims Adjuster Calls After Your Accident

After a car accident, you might get calls from an insurance adjuster asking for details about your accident or insurance coverage. It’s important to keep a few things in mind when speaking with an adjuster to make sure you get a fair settlement offer and maximum compensation.

What Does an Adjuster Do for an Insurance Company?

An insurance adjuster’s job is to investigate claims, determine fault and make sure that the claim is paid by an appropriate party. An adjuster is an advocate for the insurance company, so it’s important to remember that they are not acting in your best interest. Whether the adjuster is from your own insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company, their job is to limit the amount of money paid on the claim.

What Should You Do If An Adjuster Calls?

The answer to this question depends on whether or not you were injured in the accident. The amount of information you will provide the adjuster will be different if there is only property damage and you just need to get your car repaired. There are more things to keep in mind to protect your interests when get a call and you’ve been seriously injured. In either circumstance, be polite and professional.

What to Do When Insurance Company Adjusters Call and You’ve Been Injured

Accident victims need to be especially careful when taking the call from the insurance adjuster. The adjuster will be kind and understanding. They will try to make you feel like everything is okay and the insurance company will take care of everything including your medical bills. But, what they are really doing is searching for information they can use against you later. They may even try to get you to admit fault in the accident.

This is why it’s important to have an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. They will take care of all the correspondence with claims adjusters. They do have your best interests in mind and have experience dealing with the claims process and negotiating with the insurance company.

All you need to tell the insurance claims adjuster is that you are being represented by a personal injury lawyer. Ask them for their name, phone number, and the claim number. Then provide them with the name and contact information for your personal injury attorney and end the call. Takes notes, stay organized, and give all this information to your personal injury lawyer and their legal team.

What Should You NOT Say to an Adjuster?

When you’ve been in an auto accident, you should expect insurance adjusters to call. It’s important to remember that they are NOT on your side. They will call and express concern, give you the impression that they will handle everything and then they will say, “we need a recorded statement.” That’s the lead in for a trap. Just like you’ve heard on TV, everything you say in a recorded statement can and will be used against you. So, tell them as little as possible and refer them to your attorney.

What to Say if They Ask for a Recorded Statement

Your best defense in this scenario is to know that you don’t need to give a recorded statement. Why do you need to give them a recorded statement when there is police report that details everything that happened? Why do they need to hear from you when you have an attorney working on your behalf?

Instead say: “That makes me uncomfortable, I have the police report that has information about the accident, you don’t need to hear it from me.” If they keep pushing, turn it back on them. Say, “So you are telling me that you need to hear my version? I will agree to a non-recorded statement.” Make sure they know you are being represented by an attorney and they have the contact information for the law firm. If you’ve been getting multiple calls about your insurance claims, this should stop once they know which firm is representing you.

Don’t Chat About Your Injuries

Remember, the insurance adjuster wants you to tell them about your injuries, they may even sound genuinely concerned about your wellbeing. But they have a vested interest in gathering evidence that will downplay your serious injuries, potentially get you to admit fault, and lower the settlement offer. For example, if you chat with them, agree to a recorded statement, and tell them that you have some back pain, that’s it. They will now consider that the only injury you have from the accident no matter what your medical records say in the future. It would be better to say “I was injured and am in the process of seeing doctors, please contact my attorney.”

Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC

If you’ve been in an auto accident and need to speak with a car accident lawyer in Chicago, we can help. Don’t talk to insurance adjusters without speaking with us first. We will negotiate on your behalf, protect your rights, and make sure you get the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages caused by the accident. Call today for a free consultation.

What to Do When Insurance Company Adjusters Call and There Is NO Injury

When an adjuster calls and you were not injured in the car accident, you will need to talk to the adjuster in order for your car insurance claim to be processed by the insurance company. You will need to provide them with a police report that gives details of what happened in the accident. They may ask for other details, and you will want to be honest, professional, and provide accurate information. If they ask for a recorded statement, you can choose not to give one as long as you have provided a police report that gives details of the car accident.

Remember, you can’t ignore the call and hope your insurance claim will be processed.

When Will the Insurance Adjuster Call?

The insurance adjuster should call within a few days of the accident. It’s important to answer their calls or return their messages promptly so your claim can be processed quickly and efficiently.

Should I Keep Calling the Insurance Adjuster?

Yes, keep calling. The adjuster is obligated to keep you updated on the progress of your claim and answer any questions that you have about it. The adjuster may also call if they need more information about the accident or want to discuss settlement options.

What if the Adjuster Isn’t Calling Me Back

If you have trouble getting in touch with the insurance adjuster, you should contact your insurance agent or the insurance company directly. If you continue to have problems with the insurance company or their insurance adjusters, consumers can make complaints online with the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI).

In a situation where you are having trouble getting an insurance company to respond or an insurance adjuster to return your calls within a reasonable amount of time, threatening to make a complaint with the IDOI might help.

What Questions Should You Ask an Adjuster?

When you’re dealing with an insurance adjuster after an accident where there is just property damage, here are some questions you’ll want to get answers to:

• How much property damage is covered under the insurance policy?
• How are they arriving at the amount of the estimate?
• How are they determining the value of the repair or totaled vehicle?
• How long will it take to process your claim?

Advocate for Yourself and Your Car’s Value

It is also important to remember to be an advocate for yourself. Bluebook values for your vehicle may not include important factors like your car’s low mileage, good condition, and aftermarket features. It’s up to you to make sure this is taken into account by the insurance company.

Get a Comp

The price of used cars is accelerating and property damage assessments aren’t keeping pace with that. So, estimates for the value of your vehicle might not reflect the current used car market. Look for comparable vehicles within 15 miles of your location. Just like in the housing market, this comp can give you a bargaining point to make sure you are fully compensated for your vehicle.