How to Deal with Insurance Adjusters After an Accident: Tips and Tricks

After a Florida car crash or another injury accident, there is plenty to do and everything can be overwhelming. The shock of the accident itself can be a lot to handle but then seeking medical treatment and finding a repair shop for your vehicle can take time and effort that you may not have if you are hurting from your injuries. Then adding the insurance adjusters calling you and having to figure out how to communicate with them makes everything that much more stressful.

You know that you have to be careful with what you say to an insurance adjuster and you may have also heard about deceptive tactics insurance adjusters engage in to devalue claims. Knowing what to expect and how to handle insurance adjusters is critical to getting the most from your claim.

How to Talk with Insurance Adjusters After an Accident

There are a few tips and tricks to effectively talking with the insurance adjuster including all of the following:

The Adjuster Seems Helpful and Friendly, But they are Not Your Friend

One way insurance adjusters get away with paying victims very little for their damages is to try and get a victim to trust them. This way, the adjuster can advise the victim not to call a lawyer. Or, get ahead of a victim connecting with a lawyer by developing a relationship with a victim where the victim believes that the insurance adjuster has their best interests in mind and wants to help. The adjuster does not want to help you or fairly compensate you. They are trained to pay you as little as possible.

What You Say and Don’t Say Matters

It is common practice for an adjuster to ask you to make a recorded statement or a signed release. If you have an attorney on your side you should never do any of these without your attorney’s assistance. But, if you are proceeding with a claim without a lawyer then keep your answers to the adjuster’s questions simple, clear, and concise. Never offer up more information beyond what the adjuster is asking or get too conversational. When the adjuster asks questions that you are unsure of, do not give concrete answers. Use qualifiers to protect yourself. You may say you don’t recall at the moment or that you are unsure if you have all the details at that time.

The Adjuster Will Try to Devalue Your Claim

The adjuster is likely going to suggest you were partly to blame for your accident or give you a hard time accepting the losses you sustained. They may be quick to provide a settlement because doing so closes your claim. Remember that they are not interested in paying you fairly, so knowing what your claim is worth can help you avoid accepting a settlement that is insufficient.

Call Fulgencio Law Today

It can be very difficult to keep things straight and handle an insurance adjuster properly so you don’t jeopardize your claim after a crash. Your mind is likely spinning and your body may hurt. Speaking with an attorney after an accident can help. An attorney can speak on your behalf and manage the insurance adjuster for you so you can focus on your health and getting better. 

Call Fulgencio Law today at (813) 463-0123 to have your case reviewed by a Tampa personal injury attorney during a free consultation.