5 Things You Should Never Say to an Insurance Adjuster After an Injury

After an accident or injury, it’s normal to want to explain what happened—especially when the insurance adjuster calls and sounds polite or concerned. But it’s important to remember one thing: the adjuster doesn’t work for you. Their job is to minimize the insurance company’s payout, not to make sure you’re treated fairly.

What you say during those early conversations can have a huge impact on your case. Even small, innocent comments can be used to downplay your injuries or shift blame. That’s why it’s critical to know what not to say. 

In this article, we’ll cover five things you should avoid telling an insurance adjuster—and what to say instead if you’re not sure how to respond.

1. “I’m Fine” or “I Feel Okay”

This is one of the most common mistakes people make—and it happens out of habit. Maybe you’re trying to be polite. Maybe the adrenaline is still masking the pain. But saying “I’m fine” after an accident can seriously hurt your injury claim.

Insurance companies can use that single statement to argue that your injuries aren’t serious or that you didn’t need medical treatment. Later, if you develop pain or complications, they might point back to your words and say, “But you said you felt okay.”

The truth is, many injuries—like whiplash, soft tissue damage, or back problems—don’t show up right away. You might feel fine today and wake up sore tomorrow. That’s why it’s better to avoid discussing how you feel altogether. If you’re asked about your condition, say something like:

 “I’m still being evaluated by a doctor” or “I’ll know more after my follow-up.”

It’s not about hiding anything—it’s about protecting yourself until you know the full picture.

2. “It Was My Fault” or “I Could Have Avoided It”

After an accident, emotions run high. Many people instinctively apologize or blame themselves—even when they didn’t do anything wrong. But saying things like “It was my fault,” “I should’ve seen them coming,” or “I was distracted for a second” can seriously damage your case.

Insurance adjusters are trained to pick up on any statement that suggests you share responsibility. 

Even a passing comment about how you “might have been going too fast” can later be used to argue that you were partially or fully at fault. And once that’s in the file, it becomes difficult to reverse.

Here’s the reality: right after an accident, you don’t have the full picture. You don’t know if the other driver was speeding, texting, ran a red light, or had mechanical issues. 

Corey Schafer, SEO Specialist at Florin|Roebig says, “Assigning blame without knowing all the facts puts you at a disadvantage—especially if the insurance company uses your own words to limit or deny compensation.”

If you’re asked what happened, stick to the basic facts: time, location, what direction you were traveling. 

Do not offer opinions or accept fault. 

If you’re unsure how to answer, it’s perfectly fine to say, “I’d prefer to wait until all the facts are reviewed.” Let the investigators, lawyers, or authorities determine fault—not you, under pressure.

3. “I Don’t Have a Lawyer” or “I Don’t Plan to Sue”

This might sound harmless, especially if you’re just trying to cooperate. But telling an insurance adjuster that you don’t have a lawyer—or don’t intend to file a lawsuit—immediately signals to them that you’re an easier target.

Once they know you’re handling the case alone, adjusters may rush to offer a quick settlement. That settlement will almost always be lower than what your case is truly worth. Without legal representation, you’re less likely to know how much you could claim for things like pain and suffering, lost wages, or future medical treatment.

Also, once you accept a settlement, you can’t go back and ask for more—even if your injuries turn out to be worse than you thought. 

Insurance companies know this. That’s why they often try to get injury victims to settle fast, before they’ve seen a doctor, hired a lawyer, or fully understood the impact of the accident.

You’re not legally required to disclose whether you have a lawyer. If they ask, you can say:

 “I’m still reviewing my options,” or “I’m not ready to discuss that yet.”

This keeps the door open for legal guidance—and it reminds the adjuster that you’re not rushing into anything. Having a lawyer doesn’t mean you’re looking for a fight. It means you’re protecting yourself from being taken advantage of.

4. “Sure, I’ll Give a Recorded Statement Right Now”

When an insurance adjuster asks for a recorded statement, it might sound harmless—like it’s just part of the process. But agreeing to it on the spot, especially without legal advice, can hurt your case more than help it. 

Insurance companies ask for these early because they know most people don’t yet understand the full impact of their injuries or what really caused the accident.

Once you give a recorded statement, every word becomes part of the official record. And if you make even a small mistake—like describing your pain as “minor,” forgetting key details, or saying something slightly different than what's in a later medical report—those inconsistencies can be used to challenge your credibility.

Adjusters are trained to ask open-ended and leading questions that may cause you to say something you’ll regret. 

They might ask, “So would you say you were distracted?” or “Was there anything you could have done differently?” These aren’t innocent questions—they’re designed to shift blame or minimize your injuries.

You’re not required to give a statement right away. A simple response like “I’d like to speak with a lawyer first” is enough. This gives you time to understand what’s at stake and prepare. A rushed statement made in good faith can be used against you in ways that are hard to undo later.

5. “I Think What Happened Was…”

It’s completely normal to not remember every detail after an accident. But what’s dangerous is trying to fill in the gaps or guessing under pressure. 

When an adjuster asks, “How did you fall?” or “What caused the crash?” and you respond with, “I think I must have slipped,” or “Maybe I was going a little fast,” you’ve just introduced uncertainty—and responsibility—into your claim.

Even if you’re just trying to be helpful or polite, speculation can be twisted to work against you. That one guess can become the company’s reason for denying your claim or offering you less than you deserve. 

Worse, if new evidence comes up that contradicts your earlier guess, they might accuse you of being dishonest.

You don’t need to explain what you’re unsure about. If you don’t know, say so. Phrases like “I’m not sure,” “I can’t say for certain,” or “That’s something I need to check” are not only acceptable—they’re smart.

Avoid trying to sound confident just to keep the conversation going. Stick to the facts you’re sure of, and leave the rest to the investigation or your lawyer. 

The insurance company isn’t entitled to your guesses—and your future compensation might depend on staying quiet when you’re unsure.

What to Say Instead: Safe Responses That Protect You

Speaking to an insurance adjuster after an injury can feel like a casual conversation—but it’s not. These calls are carefully designed to gather statements that can be used to reduce your claim. Instead of going silent or being overly defensive, it helps to know how to respond in a way that protects your rights without sounding uncooperative.

One of the best things you can do is keep your answers short, factual, and neutral. If you’re asked how you’re feeling, avoid saying “I’m fine,” even if you think the pain is manageable. Injuries often take time to show up. 

A safer response is something like: “I’m still being evaluated by my doctor and following up as needed.” This shows you’re getting care and waiting on professional input—without making any conclusions about your health.

When asked about how the accident happened, it’s normal to feel pressure to explain. But unless you’re absolutely sure, don’t guess. Saying “I’m not sure about the exact sequence of events” is a far better response than making assumptions. 

If they ask for specifics—like speed, weather conditions, or who was at fault—you can say, “I’d prefer to provide accurate information once I’ve reviewed everything thoroughly.” This way, you don’t lock yourself into a version of events that might later be challenged.

If they request a recorded statement, remember: you don’t have to say yes right away. A clear, calm answer like “I’m not comfortable giving a recorded statement at this stage” is enough. If they push, say “I may consider it after I’ve spoken with legal counsel.” It’s not about hiding anything—it’s about not giving away pieces of your case too early.

Another common trap is when they ask whether you’ve hired a lawyer or plan to file a lawsuit. Even if you haven’t, avoid saying no outright. Instead, say, “I’m still reviewing my options.” This keeps your rights intact and makes it clear you’re not going to be rushed into decisions.

If they make any promises—like saying medical bills will be covered or that they’ll handle everything—don’t take their word for it. Ask: “Can you put that in writing and send it over?” Verbal assurances are meaningless unless they’re documented.

Keep your responses focused, don’t speculate, and don’t be afraid to say, “I’d like to get back to you once I’ve reviewed everything.” You’re not being difficult—you’re being smart.

Conclusion

When you're dealing with an insurance adjuster after an injury, every word counts. It's easy to slip into casual conversation, but these calls are anything but casual. What you say can directly impact how much compensation you receive—or whether you receive any at all.

Avoiding certain phrases and knowing how to respond calmly and clearly gives you the upper hand. You don’t have to be rude or combative—just cautious and thoughtful. Stick to facts, don’t guess, and never rush into giving detailed statements or accepting quick offers.

Most importantly, remember you’re not alone in this. Taking your time, seeking legal advice, and knowing what to say (and what not to) can make a huge difference in protecting your rights.