Suffering an injury in a car crash can be life-changing and incredibly distressing. Most people want to focus on their recovery; however, insurance is inherently involved in accidents.
Per their own insurance contracts, individuals have to report the car accident to their own vehicle insurance company. If they intend to make a claim against the at-fault driver, reporting the accident to that driver’s insurance company will be necessary as well.
No matter the circumstances, speaking with the insurance company can be stressful. It can also quickly become complicated. So, here are some tips for individuals to remember when speaking with the insurance company.
1. Do not give too many details about the accident
Many people are under the impression that they must tell the insurance company everything about the accident. This is not true.
Individuals should be honest, but limit their information to the following:
- Where the accident happened;
- When it happened;
- Known occupants in the vehicles;
- The type of accident; and
- Their vehicle and policy information.
The insurance representative or adjuster may try to press for more details, such as how the accident happened. They might even outright ask individuals to provide a recorded statement. But individuals can decline to provide a recorded statement and limit their information than what is listed above for their initial statement.
2. Do not discuss injuries
Like the accident, individuals do not have to describe their injuries to the insurance adjuster either. If insurance companies ask about injuries, individuals should stick to the facts but avoid providing too many details.
For example, they can tell the insurance company that:
- They suffered injuries in the accident; and
- They are still seeking medical treatment for these injuries.
The insurance company does not need any more information than this from individuals after the accident occurred.
3. Stay calm
Speaking with the insurance company after an injury can be stressful, especially if the adjuster presses for information. However, individuals must remember to remain calm and civil while on the phone.
Seeking experienced counsel will inherently limit the stress that injured individuals face after accidents. If a person is in an automobile accident and retains counsel quickly, they can defer all questions from the insurance companies to their attorney. Such action limits an individual misunderstanding an insurance representative and providing irrelevant or other information that may adversely affect their claim for recovery.
