Dealing With Insurance Adjusters After an Accident

An insurance adjuster is the person who investigates a claim and recommends how much the company should pay. Knowing how they work can help you handle conversations more carefully.

Whose side are they on?

An adjuster may be polite, but they work for the insurance company. That is true of the adjuster for the other driver and also for your own insurer when you make a claim. Their role is to evaluate the claim, and that includes looking for reasons to pay less.

What adjusters typically look at

• The police report and any photos
• Statements from drivers and witnesses
• Your medical records and bills
• Your prior medical history
• How soon you got treatment and whether there were gaps
• Anything you have posted publicly

Common tactics to be aware of

• A fast, friendly approach before you know the full extent of your injuries
• Quick settlement offers tied to a release
• Requests for broad medical authorizations that give access to records unrelated to the accident
• Questions about prior injuries that suggest they are the real cause
• Delays that wear down a claimant who is facing bills

None of this means an adjuster is dishonest. It means you should be informed and careful.

Good habits

Keep it in writing when you can. Written messages leave a record. If you speak by phone, keep notes with the date, time, and name.

Keep a claim file. Store the claim number, adjuster contact details, letters, photos, and receipts in one place.

Be accurate, not casual. Avoid guessing, minimizing your pain, or offering opinions on fault.

Do not sign quickly. Releases and authorizations can have broad effects. Read every page.

Ask questions. If you do not understand a request or a document, ask what it is for and take time to review.

When to get advice

Consider speaking with a licensed attorney if your injuries are significant, fault is disputed, the offer is far lower than your losses, or you are being pressured to sign something. Many firms offer a free consultation.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Insurance practices and legal duties vary by state.