What Should You NOT Say to an Insurance Adjuster in Florida?

If you have been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence and are thinking about filing a lawsuit for compensation, speaking to the other party’s insurance adjuster may not be the best choice.

If you have been hurt, you may not know the extent of your medical condition or if other medical issues related to your original injuries will crop up. Therefore, you do not know how much compensation you will need to recover and get on with your life. The other party’s insurance adjuster may hope that you unintentionally incriminate yourself or accept their first settlement offer.

Some insurance companies may even advise you to not hire an attorney because they want you to settle for a lower amount. Hiring an attorney if your injuries are serious, or if multiple parties are liable for your injuries, will ensure that the insurance company stops contacting you and contacts your attorney instead. Read on to learn more about what you should not say to an insurance adjuster in Florida.

The Insurance Adjuster Called and You’re Unsure of What to Do

If the other party’s insurance adjuster contacts you, there are ways to handle the conversation, starting with:

• Identifying the caller by getting their name, which insurance company they work for, a phone number and email address, and the name of the person whom they are representing.
• Take notes during the conversation. Write down what the adjuster asked and notate what your responses were to his or her questions.
• Do not over-explain what happened in the accident. Don’t give out any personal information such as your job responsibilities or your income. All you need to tell them is your name, address, phone number, and where you work.
• Do not make a statement as to how the accident occurred. Be polite and respectful, but do not discuss the details of the accident. The only information to share with them is where the accident happened, what vehicles were involved, and if there were any witnesses. Let them know that the investigation is ongoing, and you currently have no further information to share with them.
• Do not discuss your injuries. Let he or she know that you are still being evaluated and may be able to give them additional details at a later date.
• If the adjuster calls you more than once trying to get additional information from you, let them know that you don’t intend to discuss the accident in detail.
• Do not make a recorded statement. They have no right to record you unless you give them express permission to do so. Let them know that you are not comfortable with being recorded.
• If you accept the insurance company’s settlement offer too quickly, you may be getting much less than what you deserve. It is important to have an accurate picture of what your claim is worth.

The Insurance Adjuster’s Role

An insurance adjuster is doing a good job for their employer when they spend as little of the company’s money as possible when settling claims. They are also encouraged to settle claims quickly and without the assistance of supervisors or lawyers. Insurance adjusters rarely have legal or medical training and are usually too busy to investigate your claim carefully. They know the insurance claim business, but they do not know your claim as well as you do. Most adjusters can come to an agreement with you on a settlement amount and send you the paperwork to finalize your acceptance of their offer.

What an Attorney Can Do for You

A personal injury attorney provides legal services for people who have been injured as a result of the negligence of another person or entity. It is in their best interests to get the best settlement for you in as little time as possible. At the beginning of the case, they will gather evidence, verify how the accident happened, and establish who was liable for your injuries. If the insurance company makes an offer, they will inform you.

If the offer is unacceptable, the attorney will enter pre-trial negotiations or arbitration to get you the compensation you deserve. If this is not successful, they will take your case to trial. Most personal injury lawsuits are settled in the pre-trial phase.

If you have been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence, call the Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers at 855-529-0269 before the statute of limitations under Florida law passes. We know what you should not say to an insurance adjuster in Florida, and are looking forward to helping you get through this challenging period and on the road to recovery. We can even help you if the insurance company denies your rights protected under the Florida Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights.