Protect Yourself When the Insurance Company Calls
Within hours or days of a car accident, you will likely receive a call from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The adjuster will sound friendly and concerned, but make no mistake — their job is to minimize what the insurance company pays you. Every question they ask, every form they send, and every settlement offer they make is designed to protect the insurance company’s bottom line, not your interests.
What Insurance Adjusters Do Not Want You to Know
Insurance adjusters are trained professionals who handle hundreds of claims per year. They know that accident victims who do not have lawyers typically settle for far less than their cases are worth. The Insurance Research Council has found that claimants represented by attorneys receive settlements that are on average 3.5 times higher than those without legal representation.
Common Adjuster Tactics to Watch For
The Recorded Statement Trap — The adjuster will ask you to give a recorded statement “for their records.” Anything you say can and will be used against you. Even innocent statements like “I feel okay” can be twisted to argue your injuries are not serious.
The Quick Settlement Offer — You may receive a check within days of the accident. This is almost always a fraction of what your claim is worth. Once you cash it and sign a release, you give up your right to seek additional compensation — even if your injuries turn out to be much worse than initially thought.
The Medical Authorization Request — Adjusters often ask you to sign a blanket medical records authorization. This gives them access to your entire medical history, which they will comb through looking for pre-existing conditions to blame your injuries on.
The Delay Strategy — Some adjusters intentionally drag out the claims process, hoping that mounting medical bills and financial pressure will force you to accept a lowball settlement.
What You Should Do
Politely decline to give a recorded statement until you have consulted with an attorney. You are not legally required to provide one to the other driver’s insurer.
Do not accept any settlement offers before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and future medical needs.
Do not sign any documents from the insurance company without having an attorney review them first.
Free Guide: Know Your Rights After an Accident
Download our free guide in English & Tagalog. Learn the critical steps to protect yourself, how to deal with insurance companies, and what compensation you may be entitled to under California law.
Keep detailed records of every conversation with the adjuster, including dates, times, and what was discussed.
Consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At Smilove & Rosenblum, we handle all communications with insurance companies and fight to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Let Us Handle the Insurance Company
You should be focused on healing, not battling insurance adjusters. Call Smilove & Rosenblum at (800) 300-3226 for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.
Related Resources
- Practice Area: Car Accident Attorney Services
- Practice Area: Truck Accident Claims
- Never Accept the First Insurance Settlement Offer
- How Social Media Can Hurt Your Personal Injury Case
Free Guide: Know Your Rights After an Accident
Download our free guide in English & Tagalog. Learn the critical steps to protect yourself, how to deal with insurance companies, and what compensation you may be entitled to under California law.