When an insurance adjuster calls after a collision, the best thing you can do is slow down. Don’t rush to answer their questions, don’t fill silences, and don’t assume they’re calling to help you. Their job is to close your claim for as little money as possible, and the sooner you understand that, the better position you’re in.
Sacramento sees significant traffic volume daily, with the confluence of Interstate 5, Highway 50, and Business 80 running through the city, creating some of the more congested corridors in Northern California. More traffic means more crashes, and more crashes mean insurance adjusters are very busy and very practiced at what they do.
If you were hurt in a collision here, connecting with an award-winning auto accident attorney in Sacramento before you say much of anything to an insurance company is one of the smartest moves you can make.
Tips for Dealing with the Adjusters When They Call You
Under California Insurance Code Section 790.03, insurers are required to deal with claimants in good faith, but good faith doesn’t mean generous, and it doesn’t mean they’re looking out for you.
These are tips to help you deal with them when they call:
Give Them the Basics; Nothing More
There’s a short list of topics that should simply not come up when you’re talking to an insurance adjuster without your attorney present.
The adjuster needs certain information to open your claim. Your name, your contact information, the date and location of the crash, and how many vehicles were involved, that’s the scope of what you should confirm. That’s it. Anything beyond that starts working against you.
Don’t discuss your family situation. Don’t talk about your income or how the injury has affected your ability to work; that conversation belongs in a formal claim, not a phone call. Don’t get into details about your medical condition, your diagnosis, your prognosis, or which doctors you’re seeing. And don’t apologize for the crash.
Not even a reflexive “I’m sorry this happened.” Under California’s comparative fault rules, even partial admissions of fault can reduce your recovery proportionally, so words matter more than people realize.
Stay Calm, Even When It’s Hard
You’re probably dealing with pain, stress, missed work, and a damaged vehicle all at the same time. The adjuster knows that. A flustered, emotional claimant is easier to manage than a composed one.
Keep your tone professional and measured, no matter how frustrated you are. Save the venting for your attorney.
Push Back on Recorded Statements
The adjuster may ask to record the call. You are not required to agree to that. Ask that any questions be submitted to you in writing instead, or let them know that all further communication should go through your attorney.
Recorded statements have a way of being clipped, taken out of context, and turned into something that weakens your claim, often without you realizing it happened.
Know That You Can Wait
You are not on their timeline. If you haven’t spoken to an attorney yet, reschedule the call. The adjuster may imply there’s urgency, but you should know there rarely is.
Under California Code of Regulations Section 2695.7, insurers must make decisions within 40 days of receiving proof of claim. That gives you time to get proper legal advice before you say anything on the record.
Write Everything Down
After every interaction with an adjuster, be it a phone call, email, or voicemail, write it down. The adjuster’s name, their direct number, the company they represent, what was discussed, what was requested, and what figures came up.
This paper trail protects you if the insurer later misrepresents what was said or what was agreed to.
Key Takeaways
- Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible.
- Confirm basic facts only, that is, your name, the date, the location of the crash, and nothing more.
- Extra details almost always hurt your claim.
- You are not required to give a recorded statement. Ask for written questions or have them contact your attorney instead.
- Don’t apologize for the accident. Under California’s comparative fault rules, even partial admissions can reduce what you recover.
- Once an attorney represents you, the insurance company must communicate through them.
- The first settlement offer is rarely close to what your claim is worth. Don’t sign anything without legal advice.
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