The Insurance Company Wants a Statement — What Should I Say?

Although most people believe that the insurance company is there to help them after an accident, this is not how these companies operate. That is why before you make any statement to an insurance adjuster, it is crucial you understand what information you should avoid discussing with them. Thankfully, you do not have to figure this out on your own. To help you with these discussions, we have prepared the following information for you. In it, we will go over in detail what you need to watch out for when it comes to these insurers.

The Insurance Company is Not Your Friend

Unfortunately, when it comes to insurance companies, it is important to understand that they are like other businesses, and their end goal is not to help you but to make a profit. As a result, the less these companies pay you, the more money they make. Consequently, it is common for these insurers and their adjusters to look for anything they can to use against you, including comments you make after the accident.

Keep Statements Brief

Do not agree to give a statement to the insurance company at all until you have first consulted with an attorney. They usually try to use this against you, and anything you say may end up resulting in a smaller compensation amount. Be sure to speak with an attorney first, which is usually free.

If you need to make any statements to the insurance company:

1. Make sure they are brief, and you only stick to the facts.
2. Do not offer any explanation. Instead, try to answer the questions in as few words as possible.
3. Remember, the comments you make can come back and hurt you.

That is why the less you say to these insurers, the better your chance is of obtaining the money you need.

Answer Only the Question Asked

When the insurance adjuster asks you a question, you want to carefully and thoroughly analyze the question before offering any details.

Do Not State You Are Uninjured

Even if you do not feel your injuries are serious or believe you only suffered a few minor scratches and bruises, do not state this to the insurance company. Quite often, symptoms of severe trauma can take some time to develop, especially after a tragic accident, where your body can be masking pain and injuries due to the adrenaline resulting from the incident. Consequently, when an insurance adjuster calls you within 24 hours after the accident, you may not even realize the extent of your harm. For these reasons, you should not say anything about your injuries to avoid saying something that can impact your potential recovery.

Do Not Answer Questions You Do Not Know

If you do not know the answer to a question that the insurer wants to know, do not provide an ambiguous response such as “maybe.” Instead, refuse to answer or simply state that you “don’t know.” If the insurance company continues to press about details or what you experienced, you can refer them to the police report since your detailed recollection will already be in there.

Do Not Give Permission for Your Statement to be Recorded 

Let the insurance company know that you do not want your statements recorded. If they are, it is likely your words will be used to compare other comments you made, and as soon as the insurance company finds any discrepancy, no matter if it was intentional or not, they will use it to cause issues.

Work With an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Following an accident, you have enough going on. Worrying about how the insurance company is trying to prevent you from getting the money you deserve should not be something you have to focus on. Fortunately, when you work with an experienced personal injury attorney, you will not have to take on these insurance companies on your own. Instead, our lawyers can handle these discussions for you and pursue the financial recovery you are entitled to while you focus on what matters most, such as your recovery and healing.

In addition, when you hire our lawyers, they can also:

• Review the details of your accident, determine if you have a valid legal claim, and help you figure out the legal options you can pursue.
• Analyze your accident and obtain the evidence required to prove fault and the extent of your damages.
• Go after a fair settlement offer.
• Hire experts to validate your claim, including medical professionals, engineers, and economists.
• Proceed to trial if the insurance company is unwilling to provide you with the money you need, and fight tirelessly for the successful resolution of your legal case.

If you have to deal with the insurance company after an accident, never take them on by yourself. Rather, contact us today for a free case review, and an experienced personal injury attorney will gladly assist you.