If you have had an accident in San Diego, then it’s crucial that you should file an insurance claim. However, the most critical aspect starts when you apply for the claim; there will be a post-accident process where the claim will be assessed based on the evidence you have provided. You will be presented with a quick settlement offer generally in the insurance company’s interest.
Thus, it becomes essential to learn how to negotiate with insurance claim adjusters to achieve a suitable claim outcome. This guide can help you understand the do’s and don’ts of speaking to an insurance adjuster.
What is the Role of Insurance Adjusters?
When a claim is filed, an insurance adjuster is appointed to investigate the situation, be it injury, accident, or property damage. The main objective is to minimize the insurance company’s financial liability, and based on their assessment, the final compensation is also decided. At first appearance, you might find them friendly and cooperative, but their goal is to present a settlement offer of the least value.
Do’s – Speaking with Insurance Adjusters
Things you should do when you interact with the adjuster:
Provide Basic Information
When you interact with the Insurance claim adjuster, you must always provide the basics but essential details, such as your full name, contact information, and when and where the accident took place. You should not discuss any specific element of the accident at the first meeting.
Be Honest and Consistent
If the insurance claim adjuster asks you any questions, you must be truthful and consistent. Do not add your views or any biased opinions. If they find that the evidence does not match your confession, it would devalue the credibility of the claim and lead to denial.
Keep Communications Professional
You must always maintain a professional level of communication with the Insurance claim adjuster. Be calm and respectful, even if they try to trigger you about any matter. You might find the conversation challenging, but you have to keep your cool so that there can be a productive discussion. Moreover, by seeking help from lawyers at https://hhjtrialattorneys.com/, you can learn the right approach to dealing with them.
Document All Interactions
When conversing with the insurance adjuster, you should take detailed notes that include the adjuster’s name, date and time, and a discussion summary. Thus, if any dispute arises later, the documentation would serve as a record to settle the dispute.
Don’ts – Things You Should Avoid
While speaking with the expert, you should do the following:
Don’t Share All Details if You Disagree With the Claim
You have to politely decline if they request to record your conversation with them, as this can be used to identify any inconsistency leading to denial of the claim. Also, never admit your fault or apologize for the accident. Along with this, you have to limit sharing the details about the injury and the medical treatment you are going through.
Don’t Accept Settlements that Don’t Match Your Need
Most importantly, you should never accept any early settlement proposals that can undervalue your claim.
Final Words
Dealing with an insurance adjuster can be complex and leave you feeling overwhelmed. So, it is better left in the hands of an experienced personal injury attorney. They can manage the communication on your behalf by applying strategic moves and helping you secure fair compensation.
