What You Need to Know Before Talking to an Insurance Adjuster

The aftermath of a car accident can be a stressful experience. There are many details to take care of, including medical care for injuries sustained, vehicle repairs, and dealing with personal injury and auto insurance claims. Communicating with an insurance adjuster would be straightforward if the world were perfect; however, that is often untrue. The role of an insurance adjuster is to settle the claim as quickly as possible while saving the insurance company money, even if that means not paying you what you deserve. To improve your chances of a fair settlement, there are a few things you need to know before talking to an insurance adjuster.

Understand the Insurance Adjuster’s Role

It is important to remember that the insurance adjuster is not your friend, and their role is to investigate the accident, settle the claim, and save money. They will interview both you and the other driver and review the police report and other evidence to gain what they feel is a complete picture of the accident. Regardless of the accident’s severity, they will request a statement before you fully understand your medical needs or the extent of property damage. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for them to ask contradictory questions in an attempt to create inconsistency in your answers. Before talking to the insurance adjuster and providing a statement, you need to:

• Understand Your Policy: Review your insurance policy and understand exactly what is covered and what is not covered. This will help you know what to expect when speaking to the insurance adjuster.

• Gather Documentation: Gather all pertinent information about the accident. This includes a copy of the police report, photos, videos, witness contact information, and all documents related to your medical care. Supporting your claim with evidence will help create a clearer picture of what happened. Be prepared to take detailed notes of your conversation, including their name and contact information, for your records.

• Be Cautious: Provide only basic information to the questions that are asked. Do not admit guilt or speculate answers to questions you do not know the answer to, as your responses will be used against you. Basic information includes where and when the accident occurred, the type of accident, vehicle types, and contact information for any witnesses. Do NOT sign any documents until you carefully review and understand them.

• Ask Questions: It is essential that you understand the insurance claim process, including the deadline to file the claim, the process for car repair, and the expected compensation.

Going back and forth with an insurance adjuster can be more stressful than the car accident. While the process can be completed independently, you may consider hiring an attorney to negotiate on your behalf. The law offices of Reginald Keith Davis will help you understand and protect your rights, determine the best course of action, and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact now @ (913) 299-8789 for your confidential consultation.