An insurance adjuster is a person who investigates an accident for your insurance company. They will determine how much money you should receive in compensation, which can be a complex process that requires patience and understanding on both sides of the equation, whether you’re filing a claim or paid out by the insurer.
It will be best to consult with your Idaho Car Accident Lawyers before signing anything. Here’s what to do when dealing with an insurance adjuster after a car accident.
Gather all the information about the accident
It’s essential to document everything about what happened if inconsistencies exist between what you say and what they say later on. Write down:
- Date/time
- Address
- Driver’s name
- License plate number
- Other passengers’ names
- How severe the damage was
- Car model
And the estimate for repairs if not yet fixed.
Remain Calm and Polite
The adjuster will be trying to get information from you, but they’re not your enemy. They are there to do a job, and that is all. Remaining calm and polite helps them take you seriously when communicating with them about the accident claim.
Don’t Wait Too Long to Contact the Insurance Adjuster
If you don’t contact them within a reasonable amount of time, they can use it against your claim in court later on by saying that you were uncooperative with the investigation process. It is best to get this part over and done with as soon as possible.
Don’t Accept The First Offer They Make
Adjusters are trained to settle claims as quickly and cheaply as possible so that their company can keep more money in their pockets rather than paying out for your damages.
The truth is no amount of money will bring back what you’ve lost. It’s not about how much you’re offered. It’s about how much your claim is worth.
Don’t Sign Any Documents Without Speaking to an Attorney
This point ties in with the first one of remaining calm and polite, but you also have no obligation to accept what they are offering unless you speak to a legal professional beforehand. Even if their offer sounds reasonable on its face, you have every right to speak with an Idaho attorney before making a decision.
Don’t Lose Track of All Information Related to The Claim
It includes copies of paperwork given to you, the adjuster’s contact information, and their insurance company. You should also keep these documents in a safe place at home where they won’t get lost or damaged since you’ll need them later on down the road for your claim process.
Take Notes on Everything
In addition to all of the other things, you should do, make sure to keep a written record of everything. You have to keep track of all conversations and any documents or information they ask for from you. If it comes time to use this information in court, later on, having notes will help your case be stronger than if there is no written record of what happened.
One of the best things you can do is be patient and polite with your insurance adjuster regardless of what they say and maintain a written record of all conversations, documents, and information shared between both parties. If it comes time for court, later on, there are no surprises.
