You’ve been in an accident and made the smart decision to hire an attorney to handle your claim. Then your phone rings—it’s an insurance adjuster wanting to “just ask a few quick questions.” What should you do?
The short answer: politely decline and direct them to your attorney at Noakes Law Group.
Why Insurance Adjusters Contact You Directly
Insurance adjusters know that accident victims represented by attorneys typically receive higher settlements than those handling claims alone. Once you hire a lawyer, adjusters lose the advantage of dealing with someone unfamiliar with insurance tactics and claim values. That’s why some adjusters continue trying to contact you directly, hoping you’ll say something—anything—they can use to reduce or deny your claim.
These calls might seem friendly and informal. The adjuster may express concern about your well-being or suggest that talking directly will “speed things up.” Don’t be fooled. Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their job is to minimize what the company pays out.
What You Should Never Do
Don’t Answer Questions: Once you’ve retained Noakes Law Group, never answer questions from insurance adjusters about the accident, your injuries, your medical treatment, or anything related to your claim.
Don’t Give Recorded Statements: Never agree to give a recorded statement after you’ve hired an attorney. These recordings are reviewed for inconsistencies or statements that can be twisted to reduce your claim’s value.
Don’t Sign Anything: Never sign documents without your attorney reviewing them first. Some may contain language that waives important rights or releases the insurance company from liability.
Don’t Accept Settlement Offers: Early settlement offers are almost always far below what your claim is actually worth. Insurance companies make these offers hoping you’ll take quick money before understanding the full extent of your injuries.
The Proper Response
When an insurance adjuster contacts you after you’ve hired Noakes Law Group, your response should be simple:
“I’m represented by an attorney at Noakes Law Group. Please contact my lawyer. All communications about my claim should go through them.”
You don’t need to be rude. A polite but firm response is sufficient. Then immediately notify Noakes Law Group that the insurance company attempted to contact you directly.
Why This Protection Matters
Preventing Harmful Statements: Even innocent comments can be misinterpreted. You might mention that you’re “feeling better” while still experiencing significant pain. Insurance adjusters seize on these statements to argue your injuries aren’t serious.
Ensuring Full Compensation: Your attorney understands the true value of your claim, including damages you might not realize you’re entitled to recover. Adjusters try to get you to accept lowball offers before you understand your full losses.
Protecting Your Case: Communications between you and your attorney are privileged and protected. Information you provide to insurance adjusters isn’t protected and can be used against you.
Your Attorney’s Role
When you hire Noakes Law Group, we handle all communications with insurance companies. This frees you to focus on recovery while ensuring nothing you say can hurt your claim. We know exactly what information insurance companies are entitled to receive and how it should be presented. We counter-adjuster tactics, value your claim properly, and negotiate aggressively for fair compensation.
What About Your Own Insurance Company?
Even claims involving your own insurance company—such as uninsured motorist coverage or PIP benefits—follow the same rules once you’ve hired an attorney. Your own insurance company still has incentives to minimize what they pay.
Let Us Protect Your Rights
If insurance adjusters are contacting you despite your representation by Noakes Law Group, inform us immediately. We’ll take appropriate steps to stop these improper contacts.
If you’ve been injured in an accident and are dealing with insurance companies, contact Noakes Law Group today for a free consultation. We’ll protect you from insurance company tactics, handle all communications with adjusters, and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Don’t let insurance adjusters take advantage of you. Call Noakes Law Group today. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.