Have you been involved in a car accident? Have you filed a claim for compensation? If you’re trying to recover for damages or injuries suffered in car accident, you’ll most likely be contacted by an insurance adjuster.
Many people are confused as to whether they should talk to a car insurance adjuster or not. They wonder what to say and how to approach the meeting.
What is an Insurance Adjuster?
When you file a claim for compensation with an insurance provider, the company will assign your claim to an insurance adjuster. This individual will seek to obtain information from you regarding the accident. He will want to know what vehicles were involved; the names of the people involved as well as what damage or injuries were suffered as a result of the accident.
The adjuster will also want documents such as police reports, contact information as well as photos of the accident scene.
What to Do When Contacted by an Insurance Adjuster
The law does not require you to talk to an insurance adjuster. You are therefore not obliged to give a written or recorded statement to the insurance provider when they contact you. However, refusing to meet and talk to the adjuster can work against you. It may delay or prevent you from having your claim processed and paid out.
Don’t discuss the details of your accident or injuries with the insurance adjuster until you have contacted an attorney. Remember that the adjuster works for the insurance company and is motivated to save the company money. Talking to an attorney can work in your favor. It can help increase the amount that the insurance company will pay you.
Tips when Contacted by an Insurance Adjuster
Many people aren’t aware of what to do or how to act when they are contacted by an insurance adjuster. The following tips ought to help.
- Talk to your attorney
Ensure that you’re represented by talking to your attorney before you talk to the insurance adjuster. This helps to level the playing field. An experienced attorney will know the best way to approach the discussion and may handle it for you up to a point.
- Don’t give a recorded statement
Don’t be intimidated into giving a recorded statement – especially without an attorney present. A recorded statement can be easily used against you.
- Be respectful
While it is easy to get emotional in these cases, it is important to keep your cool and be respectful when dealing with an insurance adjuster. This should improve the likelihood of a positive outcome for your claim.
