Knowing what not to say to your insurance company is essential if you get into an accident. As ridiculous as it may sound, your words can ruin your claim even with your insurer. Insurance companies usually try to contact accident victims hours after an accident or probably the following day. What you tell your insurer can make or break your case. Take time to learn your rights on what you’re supposed to say to your insurer. Here are some things you should avoid mentioning to your insurance company.
1. Do Not Say You Have No Injuries
Your insurance representative will first inquire about how you are feeling and if you sustained any injuries. Do not admit to feeling fine or that you did not obtain any injuries at any point of the call. Some physical injuries are apparent moments after the accident, but others may take time and a doctor to discover. You will feel pretty banged up after the accident, and it will take a while to know your injuries and what treatment you will need moving forward.
If you tell your insurance representative that you have no injuries, only to discover you did suffer bodily damage later, you could ruin your recovery claim for those injuries. In the worst-case scenario, you may face unnecessary complications, and the insurance company will deny your injury claim.
2. Do Not Accept A Settlement Offer Immediately
After an accident, an insurance company can immediately determine fault for an accident, and they may offer a settlement rather quickly. Insurance companies always rush to close their claims quickly and offer the least money possible. Take your time accepting the settlement with further guidance on your case. Rushed offers by insurance companies need to reflect the value of your case.
The company hopes you will take the offer at first glance, so they close the case with the least minimal losses. Once you accept a settlement, you can never go back to demand more money. Have a clear understanding of your situation, rights and total losses you will sustain from the accident.
3. Do Not Offer Your Opinion
Do not provide any opinion to the insurance company to try and explain your side of the story or your idea of how the accident occurred, no matter how tempted you feel. Your insurance representative will let you talk as much as possible during a call, hoping you give him some information showing that you contributed to the accident or your injuries in some way. Refrain from providing any information on what or how the accident happened.
4. Do Not Apologize
Never apologize for an accident at any given point. It is normal to have some sense of responsibility after an accident and try to rectify the situation. This is the biggest mistake you can make and can be costly. They might use an apology as an admission of fault and try to use the information to deny your claim or decrease liability. You may need to find out the extent of why the accident occurred. Do not try to speculate on the factors that led to the accident or how you obtained your injuries.
5. Do Not Provide an Official Statement or Give Permission for the Insurance Company To Record Your Conversation
The insurance representative might ask for permission to record your call. Always say no. The only reason they want to record any communication is to use the information against you later. Politely decline and tell them you are not ready to state at the time.
6. Do Not Give Any Details On Your Care or Impacts On Your Life
The insurance company might already have insight into some of your injuries based on the information they get from a police report. They will try to ask you questions such as treatment, how much work you have missed and details of your injuries. Do not offer any information until you have a clear understanding of your injuries
