Practice Areas

Firm News

Client
Testimonials

Library

How Much Cooperation Will the Defendant’s Insurance Adjuster Give You in Return?

We commonly talk to people who have been contacted by the defendant’s insurance company requesting cooperation with the defendant’s insurance company while they conduct an investigation of the accident. Typically, the defendant's company is requesting that our client provide a recorded statement of the facts of the accident, witness’s names, the nature of their injuries, which doctors they have seen, and usually they request a signed medical authorization. The common question is whether the client should cooperate with the defendant’s adjuster’s request, especially when the adjuster sounds helpful and cooperative.

We know from our experience that virtually all insurance adjusters consider cooperation to be a one way street. They want information from our client in order find a basis to deny the claim or to reduce its value. But how would an unrepresented driver determine the true motivation of the claims adjuster with whom they are dealing? Quite simply, I recommend you ask them for the same information. Try asking the adjuster the following questions:

May I take a recorded statement up your driver?

May I inspect and photograph their insured’s vehicle?

May I have a list of the witnesses to the accident and a copy of any statements they have obtained?

May I have copies of any photographs of the scene of the accident?

Will their insured provide you with a signed medical authorization in order for you to obtain their medical records?

Will they provide a copy of their insured's application for insurance?

I could go on. The point will be quickly made that they will not provide this information to you. They only want information from you, hoping that by obtaining this information early on it will work to minimize your claim. Is that any indication that you will be playing on a level playing field in your dealings with them?

About

Quick Contact

Videos

FAQ