Whether you slip and fall in a grocery store or end up in a traffic accident, soon afterward, you will likely receive a phone call from an insurance company. They will often try to get you to tell them details about what happened and act as if they are trying to help you, but the goal is often to build a case against you.
According to USA Today, after an accident, the insurer goes to work to minimize its losses and work to build a case so it does not have to pay out very much money to you. You must be careful when talking to any insurer, even your own.
Do not say too much
While you can give facts and personal information, you should be cautious about what you say. Never take on blame or elaborate on what happened. As long as you stick to the facts that you can prove, you should be fine.
Insurance companies know how to twist details and take something you may say innocently and use it against you. Most insurance companies are not on your side. They are businesses that want to maximize their profits, which means paying out as little as possible.
Never accept a settlement right away
An insurer may also extend a settlement offer quickly. This first offering is generally not anywhere near the amount you should receive. It is often very low and not going to cover all of your needs. You should wait until you have a good idea of your expenses and what the damage total is before even entertaining a settlement offer.
