7 Words You Should Never Use With A Car Insurance Company

After being in an accident, one will most likely be surprised and distracted with his/her safety. It should not, therefore, be surprising that when a claims adjuster calls to assist them in their claim, one would be tempted to have an open discussion. Nevertheless, the discussion has extensive implications that citizens might not be aware of. Adjusters have been trained to hear some language use by victims that may be detrimental to the claim, should it be interpreted differently. As Mette Attorneys at Law explains, the insurance company, whether it is part of you or the other party, will attempt to limit its payments. That is why your first statement is very important. Rather than giving the guesses or long explanations on what has happened, it is better to share only the basic information and not record any statements until you know all the facts.

1. “Sorry”

“Sorry” is such a benign, seemingly innocuous word, particularly when spoken soon after the stress of a vehicle collision. It’s meant to diffuse the tension, express sympathy, or merely concede that something undesirable occurred. However, within the realm of insurance claims, “sorry” acquires another dimension entirely. What started as an attempt at courtesy might be considered an acknowledgment of liability.

Insurance companies and claims adjusters are highly trained in analyzing the language used by their clients, and even a cursory remark like “I’m sorry for this occurrence” could be recorded and used as evidence of an admission of guilt. It’s an interesting linguistic twist that can have serious ramifications in terms of money and policy coverage.

2. “Fine”

When an adjuster asks how you’re feeling, the automatic answer for most people is “fine” or “okay.” It’s what we say when someone asks how we are, regardless of how we actually feel. After an accident, this word is particularly dangerous. Injuries from car accidents sometimes don’t show up immediately. Whiplash, soft tissue damage, and even some traumatic brain injuries can take hours or days to pop up. If you’ve already told the insurance company you’re fine, walking that back later becomes an uphill battle.

3. “I Think”

I think it’s just a simple line that people normally say when narrating the events as they are. But when you have had an accident, then these words may be used to discredit what you say. By stating I think the traffic light was green or I think I had the right of way, etc., you provide openings to have questions about the accuracy of your account within a system that relies so much on narrative. 

The interesting part in such cases is how these various aspects are interwoven: You may not be able to remember everything perfectly because you are stressed out because of the trauma of the accident, yet you will still be asked to give detailed information. To do this is best, then, to confine oneself, as regards certain things, to what is known, or to what is known to be unknown, admitting the latter as such, and the former as known.

4. “Recorded”

Never agree to give a recorded statement without first consulting an attorney. Adjusters often frame this request as routine, something everyone does as part of the process. But a recorded statement is a tool the insurance company uses to lock you into a version of events before you have complete information about your injuries, before you’ve had time to think clearly, and before you have legal guidance. You’re generally not required to provide one to the other driver’s insurance company. Politely decline until you’ve spoken with an attorney.

5. “Accept”

Insurance companies move quickly with settlement offers, sometimes contacting accident victims within days of a crash. They do this intentionally. They want you to accept something before you know the full extent of your injuries or losses. 

Here’s the problem: Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, that’s typically the end of it. You can’t go back for more even if your medical situation turns out to be significantly worse than it appeared at first. Never use the word accept, and never sign anything without fully understanding what you’re agreeing to and what you’re giving up.

6. “Probably”

Probably is a safe sound as it falls between certainty and uncertainty, but in an accident report, it actually undermines the way your version is perceived. Statements such as: it was likely to have happened at about five or I was likely going at around 35 introduce doubt that gives adjusters an excuse to doubt the accuracy of your entire sentence. What you think is a cautious estimation can result in making your version of events appear less accurate and less reliable. In the eyes of anyone who wishes to make a clear and trustworthy account of the car accidentand just as people want to trust a trustworthy car dealershipthe best way to go about it is to avoid guesswork altogether. 

Unless you are sure about something, it is better to just say that you do not know than fill the gaps with the word probably. In a procedure in which each word is looked into, clarity and certainty are much greater than approximation. The psychological aspect of this is also interesting when one is stressed, and therefore makes guesses and fills the gaps in their memory. However, when we are talking about something serious, say making statements when we are claiming insurance, we are usually not in need of such conjectures. Actually, when there are no specific data on a certain issue, it is preferable to confess that we do not know anything about it.

7. “Exaggerating”

This one appears in a certain context. In some instances, the worried victim of an accident will preemptively undermine their injuries with a statement such as: I do not want to make a big deal out of my injuries, but my back has been aching. Any language that frames your injuries as potentially overstated gives the insurance company the ammunition they’re looking for. Describe your symptoms and their impact on your daily life without apology. 

Adding It All Up

Every word you use with an insurance company after an accident is potentially part of the record. Adjusters are professionals who do this every day, and they’re skilled at guiding conversations in directions that benefit the company rather than you. That’s just the nature of the business they’re in. The best protection is to contact a personal injury attorney before giving any statement to an insurance company. Most offer free consultations, and having legal guidance from the start ensures that you protect your own best interests.