1. Who Insurance Adjusters Are — and What Their Real Job Is

Insurance adjusters investigate claims on behalf of the insurance company. They review evidence, calculate what they believe
your claim is worth, and negotiate settlement offers.

They are not judges, doctors, or neutral referees. They are employees of the insurer and are evaluated on how efficiently
and cost-effectively they resolve claims.

In practice, this often means adjusters will:

• Look for factors that may reduce the value of a claim
• Question or minimize your injuries
• Probe for statements that shift blame onto you
• Push for quick, low settlements before the full impact of the crash is known

You don’t have to be hostile or confrontational. But you do need to be careful, brief, and deliberate in what you say.

For a full overview of the claims process itself, see
Car Accident Claims 101 — Your Complete Guide.

2. Why Adjusters Call You So Quickly After a Crash

Many people are surprised by how fast an adjuster calls — sometimes within hours or the next day. That timing is intentional.
Early in the process, you usually:

• Don’t know the full extent of your injuries
• Haven’t seen all your medical bills
• Don’t know how long you’ll be out of work
• May feel overwhelmed, guilty, or unsure

That uncertainty makes it easier for an adjuster to obtain statements that later get used to downplay your injuries or
shift responsibility. You are allowed to take your time, get medical care, and understand your situation before giving
detailed statements.

For more on this topic, see
Why Adjusters Call You So Quickly After a Car Accident.

3. How to Speak to an Insurance Adjuster

The safest approach is to keep conversations short, polite, and factual. You do not have to answer every question on the spot,
and you are allowed to say you are not comfortable discussing certain topics yet.

Safe Topics to Confirm

• Your name and basic contact information
• The date, time, and general location of the crash
• The vehicles involved
• Whether a police report was made

Topics to Avoid or Postpone

• Detailed explanations of how the crash happened
• Any statements about fault or blame
• Speculation about speed, distance, or reaction time
• Discussions about prior injuries or medical history
• Any promises to accept a future offer

For detailed scripts and specific phrases to use, read
How To Speak To an Insurance Adjuster.

4. Recorded Statements — Why You Should Be Cautious

Adjusters often ask to record your statement “for accuracy” or “to get your side of the story on file.” A recorded statement
can sound harmless, but it creates a permanent record that may be replayed, transcribed, and quoted back to you later.

Common risks of recorded statements include:

• Your words being taken out of context
• Innocent guesses or assumptions treated as fact
• Minor inconsistencies used to attack your credibility
• Early statements about pain or injuries used to minimize later treatment

In many situations, you may not be legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company, and
you can politely decline.

A simple way to respond is:

“I’m not comfortable giving a recorded statement. I’m happy to provide basic information in writing.”

5. Common Insurance Adjuster Tactics

While every adjuster is different, certain patterns show up again and again in car accident claims. Recognizing them can make
it easier to stay calm and respond strategically.

• Friendly tone, tough negotiation: The adjuster may sound supportive while still pushing hard for a low settlement.
• Asking “just a few quick questions”: Casual conversation can be used to fish for statements that hurt your claim.
• Minimizing injuries: Comments like “it was just a fender bender” or “you should be feeling better by now” can
  make you doubt your own experience.
• Requesting broad medical authorizations: Forms may allow access to years of your medical history, not just
  accident-related care.
• Delays and “checking with a supervisor”: Slow responses can pressure you into accepting less just to move on.
• Quick low offers: Early settlement checks may be far below the true value of your claim.

6. How Adjusters Evaluate the Value of Your Claim

Adjusters don’t pull numbers out of thin air. They rely on a combination of internal software, company guidelines, and their
own judgment. In general, they look at:

• The type and severity of your injuries
• How quickly you sought treatment and whether there were gaps
• Total medical bills and the nature of the treatment
• Time missed from work and documented wage loss
• Whether there were pre-existing conditions they can point to
• How consistent your statements and records are

For a bigger picture of how claims are valued, read
Car Accident Claims 101 and
How Much Is My Car Accident Settlement Worth?.

“In practice, one of the most common patterns seen in insurance negotiations is that adjusters focus heavily on consistency in documentation, sometimes more than the severity of symptoms alone.”

7. How to Respond to a Lowball Settlement Offer

Many initial offers are lower than what claimants expect. The hope is that you will accept quickly before you fully understand your injuries,
your long-term needs, or the strength of your claim.

Before responding to a low offer, it helps to:

• Review all of your medical records and bills
• Calculate lost wages and other out-of-pocket costs
• Consider future treatment you may still need
• Compare the offer to your total documented losses

A simple response to an initial low offer might be:

“I appreciate the offer, but based on my medical bills, missed work, and ongoing treatment, I’m not comfortable resolving
my claim for that amount.”

For a full breakdown of how to push back, see
How to Handle a Lowball Settlement Offer After a Car Accident.

8. When the Adjuster Disputes Your Injuries or Blames You

Sometimes, adjusters argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim, that they were caused by something else, or that
you were fully or partly at fault.

Common arguments include:

• You waited “too long” to see a doctor
• Your pain is due to “normal wear and tear” or prior conditions
• The property damage was “too minor” to cause your symptoms
• Your actions contributed to the crash

In these situations, documentation becomes especially important. Medical records, imaging, consistent treatment, and
the police report can help counter these arguments.

If fault is being disputed, you may want to read
How Fault Is Determined in Car Accidents.

9. A Simple Framework for Negotiating with an Insurance Adjuster

Negotiating with an adjuster doesn’t require fancy language. It does require preparation and a calm, structured approach.

Step 1: Know Your Numbers

• Total medical bills (past and expected)
• Documented lost wages
• Out-of-pocket expenses (transportation, medication, etc.)

Step 2: Identify the Key Disputes

Ask yourself:

• Is the adjuster disputing fault?
• Are they downplaying your injuries?
• Are they ignoring certain bills or lost income?

Step 3: Respond in Writing When Possible

Written communication can be clearer and less emotional, and it creates a record of what was said. You can request:

“Please explain in writing how you arrived at this offer, including what medical bills or records you believe are not related
to the accident.”

Step 4: Consider Getting Legal Advice

If you are unsure what your claim is worth, or if negotiations feel one-sided, a consultation with an attorney can help you
understand your options.

10. When to Stop Negotiating with the Adjuster and Talk to a Lawyer

There comes a point in some claims where continuing to negotiate alone may not be in your best interest. It may be time to
consult a lawyer if:

• The adjuster accuses you of causing the crash and you disagree
• Your injuries are serious or long-lasting
• The offer does not come close to covering your medical bills and lost wages
• You feel pressured to settle quickly
• You’re being asked to sign forms you don’t fully understand

Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you typically do not
pay upfront.

To learn more, see
When to Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident.

11. Quick Script Recap for Adjuster Calls

Here are a few simple phrases many people find helpful:

• To keep things brief:
  “I’m not comfortable going into detail right now. I can provide more information after I’ve reviewed everything.”
• To decline a recorded statement:
  “I do not consent to a recorded statement.”
• To avoid talking about injuries too soon:
  “I’m still being evaluated by medical professionals, and it’s too early to know the full extent of my injuries.”
• To respond to a low offer:
  “Based on my medical bills, lost income, and ongoing symptoms, I’m not comfortable resolving my claim for that amount.”
• To pause the conversation:
  “I’d like to think about that and get back to you.”