Should I Talk With An Insurance Adjuster In DC?

Insurance Adjusters

An insurance adjuster is an employee of the insurance company. They may also go by the name of a “claims adjuster” or “claims analyst”. You may have an adjuster assigned to you by your insurance company and anyone else involved in an accident may have their own adjuster. Before you talk openly with your insurance adjuster, it is important to understand their role in your accident claim.

The Role of an Insurance Adjuster in a D.C. Personal Injury Claim

When you report an accident, file a claim, or someone else reports an accident, the insurance claims adjuster will be involved in investigating the insurance claim, gather information and details surrounding the accident, and assess the potential damages and costs. They may try and interview anyone involved, interview witnesses, take statements, review police reports, accident reports, take photographs of any damages, assess medical records, and review any other relevant evidence.

It is important to understand who the insurance adjuster works for. The claims adjuster works for the insurance company. The insurance adjuster is trying to get the best deal for the insurance company, which is always to pay out as little as possible on each claim. For these reasons, it may be in your best interest to limit your interaction with the insurance adjuster. If you were injured in the accident, your personal injury attorney will be able to handle any questions the insurance adjuster has, in order to maintain your claim for damages and receive the compensation you deserve.

Before You Speak to the Insurance Adjuster

Most people think that the insurance adjuster is just trying to collect information on the claim, and will settle the claim for an amount that is fair to all parties. However, the insurance company is in the business of making money. If they don’t have to pay out a penny, then from a profit-making perspective, why would they? This is where the tricks and nuances of the law and insurance come into play. What may seem like an innocent question could have a significant impact on whether you can recover in your personal injury accident. Most people never have to deal with a personal injury claim. However, the insurance companies deal with injury claims every day, and are very familiar with legal terms of art, especially when it comes to casting blame on different parties.

If you were injured in a car accident, you should consider speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney, who can advise you on your case. In most cases, looking out for your best interests, they will tell you not to talk to the insurance company. Instead, you can simply tell the insurance adjuster that your attorney will be handling these inquiries. Not only will this protect your claim, but you can also avoid the hassle of having to respond to letters, phone calls, visits and meetings with the claims adjuster.