Adjusters are friendly for a reason. Here's how to protect yourself in those first phone calls.
The Adjuster Is Not on Your Side
An insurance adjuster's job is to resolve your claim for as little as the company can pay. They may be friendly and helpful-sounding, but their financial interest is opposite to yours.
Understanding this from the first call keeps you from treating the adjuster as a neutral party who has your best interests at heart.
Why the First Call Comes So Quickly
Insurers often call within a day or two of a crash — before you have seen a doctor or grasped the extent of your injuries. The speed is deliberate: an early statement or quick settlement protects the company.
The sooner they lock in your words or your signature, the less they are likely to pay.
What You Are — and Aren't — Required to Say
You must notify your own insurer of the crash, but you are not required to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement or detailed account. You can provide basic facts and decline the rest.
Knowing the difference between cooperation and oversharing protects your claim.
The Recorded-Statement Trap
Adjusters ask for recorded statements knowing that any uncertainty, minimization, or guess can later be used against you. Saying 'I'm okay' out of politeness can be twisted into a denial of injury.
Politely declining until you have advice costs you nothing and protects you.
Lowball Offers and the Pressure to Settle
A fast offer is rarely a fair one. Insurers count on financial pressure pushing injured people to accept before future medical needs are known. Once you sign a release, the claim is closed for good.
Waiting until your treatment and prognosis are clear is almost always worth it.
How to Protect Yourself
Keep records of everything, avoid recorded statements, do not accept early offers, and get medical care promptly. When in doubt, get advice before responding to the adjuster.
A free case review can tell you whether an offer is fair before you decide.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed California attorney.