The Biggest Mistakes People Make With Insurance Adjusters

After a car accident or personal injury, one of the first calls many people receive is from an insurance adjuster. They may sound friendly, sympathetic, and helpful—but it’s important to remember that adjusters work for one purpose: to protect the insurance company’s bottom line.

Victims often make costly mistakes during these early conversations with insurance adjusters, sometimes without realizing it. Those missteps can reduce the value of a future settlement or even damage the entire claim.

Here are the biggest mistakes people make when dealing with insurance adjusters, and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Believing the Insurance Adjuster Is on Your Side

Insurance adjusters are skilled negotiators trained to limit payouts. They may sound compassionate or cooperative, but their employer’s financial interest is their primary concern—not yours.

Common tactics include:

• Asking questions designed to get you to admit partial fault
• Downplaying your injuries
• Pressuring you to settle early
• Suggesting you don’t need a lawyer
• Acting “concerned” to get you to trust them

Understanding this dynamic is critical. Your insurnace adjuster is not a neutral party. Every word you say can be used to reduce compensation.

Mistake #2: Giving a Recorded Statement Too Soon

One of the first things adjusters often ask for is a recorded statement. They may tell you it’s “just a formality” or required to process your claim.

In California, you are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.

These statements are dangerous because:

• You may still be injured or medicated
• You might not remember every detail immediately after the crash
• Adjusters ask leading questions to shift blame
• Anything you say can be replayed and used against you later

Recorded statements almost never help victims—they help insurance companies.

Mistake #3: Saying “I’m Fine” or Minimizing Injuries

Many people instinctively say things like:

• “I’m okay.”
• “It’s not that bad.”
• “I’m sore, but I’ll be fine.”

These phrases feel polite, but insurance companies treat them as evidence you weren’t injured.

The reality is that many serious injuries—concussions, herniated discs, internal bleeding, soft-tissue injuries—don’t show symptoms until hours or days later.

Once you downplay your injuries, the insurer may refuse coverage for medical bills or argue your pain started “later” and had nothing to do with the crash.

Mistake #4: Accepting the First Settlement Offer

Insurance adjusters often make quick, lowball offers hoping victims will take the money before they understand the full impact of their injuries.

These offers rarely cover:

• Physical therapy
• Surgery
• Long-term pain management
• Missed work
• Future medical costs
• Loss of earning capacity
• Emotional distress

Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back for more—even if you need surgery months later.

Early offers are about saving the insurance company money, not fairly compensating you.

Mistake #5: Signing Medical Authorization Forms

Insurance adjusters often send victims a “medical release” form, claiming they need it to verify treatment.

What they don’t tell you is that:

• These forms allow them to access your entire medical history, not just accident-related treatment
• They will search for old injuries or conditions to blame your pain on
• They may contact your doctors directly for statements you never approved

In California, accident victims should never sign broad medical releases for the at-fault insurer. Only relevant, limited records should be shared—and only through your attorney.

Mistake #6: Admitting Partial Fault Without Understanding the Facts

Many victims unintentionally say things that sound like admissions of fault:

• “I didn’t see them.”
• “I might have been going a little fast.”
• “I’m sorry.”
• “I guess I could have reacted sooner.”

Even casual apologies can be twisted into evidence of liability.

California follows pure comparative negligence. This means if the adjuster can convince you to accept even 10–20% of fault, your compensation will be reduced by that amount.

Never speculate or accept responsibility during early conversations.

Mistake #7: Posting About the Accident on Social Media

Adjusters routinely check victims’ social media accounts. Innocent posts can be used as “evidence” you’re not as injured as you claim.

Examples:

• Smiling in a photo → “You look fine.”
• Going out to dinner → “You’re not in pain.”
• Saying you’re “okay” to reassure friends → “Your injuries healed quickly.”

Even private accounts are not fully safe; screenshots get shared.

It’s best to avoid posting anything about your accident, injuries, or activities until your case is resolved.

Mistake #8: Not Seeing a Doctor Immediately

If you delay medical treatment, the insurance company and the insurance adjuster will argue:

• You weren’t really hurt
• Your injuries must have happened after the accident
• Your pain is unrelated to the crash

Even a short delay—24 to 48 hours—can give them ammunition to deny or minimize your claim.

In California personal injury cases, medical documentation is the foundation of a strong settlement. The sooner you see a doctor, the stronger your claim.

Mistake #9: Trusting the Adjuster’s “Final Offer”

Adjusters often use phrases such as:

• “This is the most you’re going to get.”
• “We’ve reviewed everything—this is the final number.”
• “If you hire a lawyer, it will just eat into your settlement.”

These are negotiation tactics.
Your claim has not been fully valued until:

• Your injuries are diagnosed
• Your long-term needs are understood
• Your medical bills, wage loss, and pain and suffering are evaluated

Most injury victims have no idea what their case is truly worth—and insurance companies exploit that.

Mistake #10: Handling the Entire Process Alone

Insurance companies have teams of professionals working to protect their profits.

Victims who handle claims alone often:

• Miss important documentation
• Accept too little money
• Allow adjusters to control the narrative
• Overlook future medical needs
• Accidentally say things that harm the case

Having an attorney levels the playing field. Attorneys gather evidence, negotiate forcefully, prevent manipulation, and ensure victims don’t make costly mistakes.

What You SHOULD Do When an Adjuster Calls

Here’s what to do instead of falling into common traps:

• Keep conversations brief
• Provide only basic facts (location, date, vehicles involved)
• Decline recorded statements
• Do not discuss your injuries
• Do not speculate about fault
• Avoid signing anything
• Politely direct the adjuster to your attorney once you have one

The less you say, the safer your claim remains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ignore insurance calls altogether?

You should not ignore your own insurance company, but you are not required to speak with the at-fault driver’s insurer. If you’re represented, your attorney will handle all communication.

What if the adjuster pressures me into signing something?

Politely refuse. Anything that needs to be signed should be reviewed by an attorney.

How soon will the adjuster make an offer?

Often within days—but these early offers are usually far below the real value of the claim.

Do I have to let the insurance company access my medical records?

Only records directly related to the accident should be shared, and only after review by your attorney.

Can I fix my car before my injury claim is settled?

Yes. Property damage claims can proceed separately, and it’s safe to handle those early.

The Bottom Line

Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts—not to protect your health, finances, or legal rights. The biggest mistakes victims make are trusting the adjuster, oversharing information, signing forms prematurely, or accepting quick lowball settlements.

Understanding these tactics gives you power.
Being cautious protects your claim.
And getting professional guidance ensures you receive the full compensation you deserve.