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3 things never to say to an insurance agent

On Behalf of | Jun 1, 2017 | Car Accidents |

After a crash, you contact your insurance company to let them know. Since you weren’t at fault, you also have to speak with the other party’s insurance company. This is where things become more complicated.

There are certain things you should and should not say to an insurance company. It’s a good idea to let your attorney do the talking, but if you talk to the agent yourself, you need to keep these tips in mind.

1. Don’t assure the agent you’re fine

Many people start a conversation asking how the other person is doing. The traditional response is to say you’re fine, even if you’re unwell or injured. This is a problem when you speak with an insurance agent, because he or she may not take your claim seriously and use your claim of being fine against you. This is one party you want to be honest with. If you’re not fine, let any doctors’ notes be the record.

2. Don’t talk about your injuries

Instead of explaining that you have whiplash or self-diagnosing yourself, make sure you provide your doctors’ medical notes to the agent instead. When you self-diagnose, there is nothing that documents what happened to you and whether or not you’re telling the truth. Never speak to the insurance agent without speaking to your own and make sure you have medical documents to back your claims.

3. Avoid saying sorry

People often apologize for another person’s injuries or for an accident even when it was not their fault. It’s vital not to say sorry at the scene of a car accident. If you start apologizing to people, it’s easy to assume that you’re the one at fault. It’s not your job to apologize. Instead, wait for the police to arrive and let them determine fault. It’s their work with the witnesses and investigators that can show who’s to blame. When you make a statement to police, keep it simple and don’t admit fault. That admission could be used against you when you make a claim.

These are a few things to remember before you make an insurance claim. Your attorney can speak to the insurer to help protect you against these common errors.

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