An insurance adjuster is someone who investigates an insurance claim on behalf of an insurance company to determine who’s liable and how much money the company has to pay. They typically talk to all the parties involved, obtain records of the accident, and present the evidence to the insurance company.
If you have been in an accident, you will be investigated by an insurance adjuster for your accident claim, and it is crucial to have legal assistance for this process. Law firms like the TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers have the expertise to handle these investigations.
The founder of TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers, James Helm, went through a very difficult time in his life that inspired him to establish the law firm. His aim is to help other people in their time of need. Their practice areas include car accidents, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation, among others.
How to Talk to an Insurance Adjuster
Talking to an insurance adjuster is an unavoidable part of the personal injury claim. However, this process can be tricky, so we’ve listed a few tips to help you with this.
Be Polite and Respectful
Being rude to the insurance adjuster is not going to help you in any way. After all, they will approve your claim in the end. If you’re rude, you could piss them off, which could affect the way your claims process goes.
So, be respectful to the insurance adjuster when dealing with them.
Don’t Post on Social Media
It’s imperative that you don’t post anything on social media during your claims process, as this could be used against you. For example, if you claim that your injuries are severe, but you post yourself having a good time partying, the opposing counsel or insurance company could use that as justification to deny your claim.
Don’t Talk Without Your Lawyer Present
Never talk to anyone regarding the case without your lawyer present. Your words could be used to prove that your injuries are insignificant or that you are responsible for the accident when that is not the case.
A lawyer is well-versed in the tactics insurance providers use, so they know what to look out for during these interactions. They can stop the insurance provider from asking any leading questions or trying anything shady. A lawyer can also coach you on how to answer questions from the insurance provider in a way that doesn’t affect the value of your claim.
Do not accept any settlement offers without your lawyer present. The insurance adjuster could trick you into accepting an offer that is below what you actually deserve. Do not agree to be recorded without your lawyer.
Don’t Discuss Your Injuries
Avoid talking about the accident in detail, as this could backfire. You can answer questions about the accident, but don’t describe your injuries in detail and just say that you are currently undergoing treatment.
The insurance adjuster could ask you questions in a way that makes you admit fault for the accident, so be careful how you talk about it. Don’t ever say you were at fault for the accident.
Don’t downplay your injuries either, because this can result in a lowered evaluation for the payout or even in the claim being rejected.
Conclusion
An insurance adjuster plays a crucial part in recovering damages from an accident, so it’s important to be careful in your dealings with them. Follow the tips listed in this article, like being respectful and not discussing your injuries in detail. This will help you get a better payout from the insurance company.
A key point to keep in mind is to not deal with an insurance provider on your own and get the help of a lawyer.
