When you get into a car accident, you need to give the other driver your insurance information and call your own insurance company to let them know about the accident. When the other insurance company hears about the accident, they may call you right away. Your own insurance company may also call you back to get more information.
As time goes on, how you talk to insurance companies after a car accident can affect your future ability to get money for injuries you got in that accident!
You will likely be asked these four questions. Here’s how to answer them in a way that protects your legal rights and interests.
*Note: This blog is only meant to teach and is not meant to replace legal advice. The only way to get accurate legal advice that is tailored to your specific situation is to talk to an attorney.
Getting into a car accident can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Even minor fender benders involve dealing with car repairs, medical bills, time off work, and insurance claims. Knowing what to expect from your insurance company after an accident helps you navigate the process smoothly.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover the key questions insurance agents typically ask following a crash so you can be prepared with the right information
Why Insurance Companies Interview Drivers After Accidents
Insurers have two main reasons for interviewing drivers after an accident
- To gather all the facts needed to properly assess fault and process any claims.
- To look for potential fraud warning signs.
Providing honest, detailed answers allows your insurer to serve you better and settle claims fairly for all parties. Being evasive or misleading only complicates things further down the road.
What Information Do Insurance Companies Request?
Insurance agents will inquire about various aspects of the accident to create a complete picture of what happened:
Accident Circumstances
- Date, time, and location
- Road conditions and weather
- Speeds of the vehicles involved
- Direction each car was traveling
- Any unusual factors like heavy traffic
Sequence of Events
- What led up to the crash
- How the collision occurred
- Which vehicle impacted the other first
- The motions of the vehicles during and after impact
Injuries Sustained
- Who was injured and the types of injuries
- If medical treatment was required
- Missed time from work due to injuries
Property Damage
- Damage to each vehicle and other property
- If vehicles needed towing from the scene
- Repair cost estimates if known
Other Parties Involved
- Contact information for other drivers
- Passengers in each vehicle
- Witness accounts
- Police report details
Insurers will compare your description of the accident to the other driver’s story, police reports, and evidence like photos or videos. Discrepancies could raise red flags about possible fraud.
Common Questions Asked of Claimants
If you are filing an injury or property damage claim after the accident, expect more probing questions about the incident details and resulting impacts.
Accident Details
- Could the accident have been avoided?
- Were any distractions present like cell phones?
- Were you completely stopped before impact?
- Did your airbags deploy?
Injuries & Medical Care
- When did you first experience symptoms?
- What medical treatment did you receive?
- Are symptoms persisting or worsening?
- Prognosis for recovery
Missed Work & Other Losses
- Have you missed time at your job?
- Are you still unable to work?
- Has accident affected your daily routine?
- Other financial impacts like hiring help
Be prepared to provide documentation like medical records, pay stubs, and receipts to back up your claimed losses.
Questions to Determine Fault
One of the top priorities for insurance companies after an accident is assessing who was at fault and to what degree. Some key questions related to determining fault include:
- Who hit whom?
- Were any traffic laws violated like speeding or running a red light?
- Were any avoidance maneuvers attempted?
- Could the actions of either driver be considered careless or reckless?
- Were driving conditions hazardous or unsafe for speed driven?
Admitting fault upfront if you believe you caused the accident can expedite the claims process. But if fault seems unclear, let your insurer make the final liability determination after a thorough investigation.
Common Questions Asked About Previous Claims & History
Insurers will also ask about your past history and prior claims, including:
- Previous at-fault accidents on your record?
- Past claims filed for collisions or injuries?
- Details about any past insurance payouts
- History of traffic violations or DUI offenses
This provides insight into your risk profile as a policyholder. Keep in mind that insurers share data, so don’t try to hide past claims or violations.
Tips for Responding to Insurance Companies After a Crash
Here are some best practices when speaking to insurance agents following an accident:
- Stick to just the facts without speculation.
- If you don’t know an answer, simply say so.
- Avoid guesses, exaggeration, or misleading statements.
- Review police reports and other evidence before the interview.
- Request a copy of the claim report after the interview.
- Consult an attorney if the crash involves serious injuries.
Honesty and thorough details will help insurers process your claim promptly and fairly after an accident.
Can Insurance Companies Raise Rates After Accidents?
For minor accidents where you weren’t at fault, your insurer can’t increase your rates or cancel your policy solely based on that claim. But multiple at-fault accidents or major violations like DUI may prompt rate hikes at renewal time.
Price increases after claims depend on state laws, your policy, and your insurer’s underwriting guidelines. Keep a clean driving record to help minimize the likelihood of premium increases.
When to Contact Your Insurance Company After an Accident
You should notify your insurer immediately after seeking any needed medical care following an accident. The sooner you file your claim, the quicker your insurer can investigate the details and process any payout for losses.
If possible, call your agent from the accident scene. Alternatively, call as soon as you are able after getting home safely or receiving treatment.
Don’t Forget These Other Key Steps
Before calling your insurance company, be sure to take these important actions:
- Get contact and insurance information for other involved drivers.
- Take photos of damage and the accident scene.
- File a police report for the crash.
- Get contact information for any witnesses.
- Seek medical care even for minor injuries.
Having this documentation ready allows for an efficient claims process after your insurer interview.
The Bottom Line
While it may seem intrusive, answering your insurer’s questions thoroughly after an accident establishes the facts, speeds up claims processing, and can prevent future rate hikes. Being prepared for the interview helps you provide clear details to support your case.
Knowing what to expect from insurance companies after a crash enables you to take control of the situation. With honest communication, you can move past the accident smoothly and continue down the road to recovery.
What It Actually Means:
…. They work for the insurance company, not you. When they pay accident victims’ claims, the insurance company loses money, so these adjusters are trained to keep those losses as low as possible. They will try many things to weaken or deny your claim, even using your own words against you.
How You Should Respond:
Don’t say something like “Fine, thanks” or “I’m fine, how are you?” even if you mean it politely. That may give them reason to say that your injuries aren’t as bad as you are claiming. You can say something like, “I’m getting better” or “It’s been a rough few hours/days/weeks.” You can also politely avoid the question and say, “Hi, are you calling about the accident?”