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Insurance Adjuster Tricks to Watch Out for After a Car Accident
After a car accident, you expect the insurance company to help you recover your losses. However, insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line, often using tactics to minimize or deny your claim. Understanding these common tricks can help you protect your rights and maximize your compensation.
1. Downplaying or Disputing Your Injuries
Adjusters may question the severity of your injuries or suggest they were pre-existing. They might point out delays in seeking treatment or claim you’re exaggerating your pain, hoping to reduce your payout18.
How to protect yourself:
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Get medical attention immediately after the accident.
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Keep thorough records of all treatments and medical visits.
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Avoid discussing your medical history or injuries in detail with the adjuster—let your doctor’s records speak for you.
2. Quick, Lowball Settlement Offers
One of the most common tactics is offering a fast settlement soon after the accident. While this may seem like a relief, these offers are usually far less than what your claim is truly worth. Once you accept and sign a release, you cannot seek additional compensation—even if your injuries worsen later38.
How to protect yourself:
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Never accept the first offer without consulting a lawyer.
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Wait until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before settling.
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Document all your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
3. Requesting Recorded Statements
Adjusters often ask for recorded statements under the guise of “getting your side of the story.” These statements can be used to twist your words, downplay your injuries, or shift blame onto you125.
How to protect yourself:
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Politely decline to give a recorded statement.
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Refer the adjuster to your attorney for all communications.
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If you must speak, stick to the basic facts and avoid speculation.
4. Delaying the Claims Process
Insurance companies may intentionally drag out your claim, hoping you’ll become frustrated or financially desperate enough to accept a lower settlement138.
How to protect yourself:
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Keep detailed records of all communications.
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Follow up in writing if the adjuster is unresponsive.
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Consult an attorney to keep your claim on track and within legal deadlines.
5. Fishing for Admissions of Fault
Adjusters may ask leading questions designed to get you to admit some responsibility for the accident. Even casual comments can be used to reduce your compensation under comparative negligence rules128.
How to protect yourself:
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Avoid discussing details of the accident beyond the basics.
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Don’t apologize or accept blame.
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Let your attorney handle liability discussions.
6. Deep Diving into Your Medical History
Adjusters may request access to your entire medical history, searching for pre-existing conditions to blame for your injuries. This is often unnecessary and invasive1.
How to protect yourself:
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Do not sign broad medical release forms.
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Only provide records directly related to your accident injuries, and have your attorney review any requests.
7. Discouraging You from Hiring an Attorney
Adjusters may claim that hiring a lawyer will reduce your settlement due to legal fees. In reality, accident victims with legal representation often receive higher settlements—even after attorney costs156.
How to protect yourself:
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Consult with a personal injury attorney before negotiating with the insurance company.
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Remember, adjusters are protecting the insurer’s interests, not yours.
8. Disputing Policy Coverage
Some insurers may argue that your policy doesn’t cover certain damages or injuries, hoping you’ll accept their denial without question3.
How to protect yourself:
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Review your policy carefully.
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Ask for explanations in writing.
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Seek legal advice if your claim is denied.
Final Tips for Dealing with Insurance Adjusters
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Document everything: Keep copies of all correspondence, photos, medical bills, and accident reports6.
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