After a car accident, one of the first calls you’ll likely receive is from an insurance adjuster. They might sound polite, even sympathetic, and ask if they can record your statement about what happened. While this may seem like a simple step in the claims process, agreeing to give a recorded statement to the insurance company can be risky—and it could hurt your ability to recover fair compensation.
Why Insurance Companies Ask for Recorded Statements
Insurance adjusters are trained professionals whose primary job is to protect their company’s bottom line. When they request a recorded statement, they’re not just gathering facts. They’re looking for ways to:
- Limit or deny your claim by finding inconsistencies.
- Use your words against you to suggest fault.
- Downplay your injuries if you minimize your pain or symptoms.
- Pressure you into settling quickly before you fully understand the extent of your damages.
Do You Have to Give a Recorded Statement?
The short answer: No, you are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
In fact, it’s generally in your best interest not to. If your own insurance policy requires cooperation, you may need to provide information, but even then, you should proceed with caution and ideally with guidance from a lawyer.
The Risks of Giving a Recorded Statement
Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions in a way that may harm your claim. Some risks include:
- Leading questions designed to make you admit partial fault.
- Trick questions that confuse timelines or accident details.
- Casual conversation that gets you to downplay your pain (e.g., answering “I’m fine” when asked how you are).
- Exploiting memory gaps by making it seem like you’re uncertain or dishonest.
Remember, once your words are recorded, they can be replayed and taken out of context.
What You Should Do Instead
If an insurance adjuster asks for a recorded statement:
- Stay calm and polite – Don’t argue, but don’t agree.
- Decline the request – You can simply say: “I’m not comfortable giving a recorded statement without legal advice.”
- Refer them to your attorney – If you have a lawyer, all communication should go through them.
- Provide only basic facts if necessary – Things like your name, policy number, and contact details are safe to share.
How a Lawyer Protects You
Having an attorney ensures you don’t accidentally say something that harms your case. Your lawyer can:
- Handle all communications with the insurance company.
- Prepare you if a statement is absolutely necessary.
- Prevent adjusters from twisting your words.
- Make sure your injuries and damages are fully documented before settlement talks begin.
Why Waiting Before Giving a Statement Helps
The true extent of your injuries and losses may not be clear immediately after an accident. For example:
- Whiplash or back injuries can take days to surface.
- Emotional trauma may not show until weeks later.
- Medical expenses may continue long after the initial hospital visit.
By waiting and consulting with a lawyer first, you protect your claim from being undervalued.
Conclusion
While it may seem harmless, giving a recorded statement to the insurance company can put your rights at risk. Insurers are not on your side—they’re looking for ways to minimize what they pay you. Protect yourself by politely declining and seeking legal guidance before saying anything that could hurt your case.
👉 If you’ve been contacted by an insurance adjuster after an accident, don’t face them alone. Get a Free Case Evaluation today and let an experienced attorney handle the insurance company while you focus on recovery.
