The Auto Insurance Adusters Role
Article 6 in 10 on Car Insurance
The Auto Insurance Adjuster's Role
If you've had an automobile accident and filed a claim, a claims adjuster - sometimes called an insurance adjuster or claims representative - will contact you. No matter what this person is called, one thing is the same: this is the person who will gather information from you about your accident, determine if the accident was covered under your auto insurance policy, investigate to determine who was at fault, decide on the value of your auto accident insurance claim, and, if everything goes as planned, pay you. The process isn't as complicated as it sounds, but if it's new to you, there are some things you should know.
Whether the adjuster is from your insurance company or from the other driver's insurance company, many of the questions asked and documents needed will be the same. They will want an account of what happened, the people and cars involved, what the damages were, and whether there were any injuries. They'll also want photos of your vehicle and an estimate for the damages, a copy of the police report if there is one, and contact information for any witnesses.
Some of the questions an adjuster from either insurance company may ask are:
- What happened in the accident?
- Where did the accident happen?
- Who was driving?
- Were there any passengers in the vehicle? You will need to provide names, ages and contact information for any passengers.
- Was a policeman called to the scene? Is there a police report?
- What vehicles were involved? You'll need to provide the makes, models, colors and registration information for any vehicles involved.
- Were the vehicles damaged? What parts of the vehicles were damaged? Were the cars drivable?
- Was anyone injured? Did anyone have to leave by ambulance?
- Were there any witnesses? You'll need to provide contact information if you have it.
- Does the other party have insurance? You'll need to provide the insurance company name and contact information for the other insurance company.
You will probably notice some differences in the questions asked by the adjuster from your insurance company and the adjuster from the other insurance company. Your own insurance adjuster will want to know if you were injured and will want to know the details of your injury and treatment, but they are only responsible under your policy for paying your medical bills up to your policy limits. They do not, however, pay for your lost wages or your pain and suffering unless you live in a no-fault state.
When you are talking to the other driver's insurance company, you may notice a slight difference, not only the questions asked, but also in their attitude. That's because it's their job to keep your car accident insurance claim as small as possible. You see, if their insured was at fault, they may be responsible for paying for your medical bills and the damage to your vehicle, plus your lost wages, other expenses you incurred (or will incur), and general damages including your pain and suffering. Since they could be responsible for paying a lot more money than your own insurance company, you'll find probably find the adjuster from the other insurance company is much less sympathetic when questioning you. Remember to be careful about what you say. They may try to get you to say that you don't really have an injury, or try to make your injury seem less than it is, and convince you to sign a Release and Waiver. If you were injured in the accident, your best course of action is to speak to an attorney before talking to the other driver's insurer. This will help you avoid saying something you didn't mean to or signing a document that could hurt your chances of making a personal injury claim or getting paid what you're entitled to.
Here are some common questions the other driver's insurer may ask in a personal injury case:
- What part of your body was injured?
- Have you had any injuries or treatment to that body part ever before?
- When was the last time you were treated for an injury to that body part?
- What was your doctor's diagnosis at that time?
Questions such as these are designed to trip you up. For example, suppose your lower back was injured in the accident. Many adults have had back problems at some point in their lives. If you tell them that you injured your back several years ago, they may try to say that the accident simply aggravated an old injury - even if it's been fine for years. This is why it's smart to talk to an attorney, who will help protect your rights and get you a fair settlement.
