Insurance Adjuster Wants Recorded Statement [Comprehensive Guide]

Do car insurance companies record phone calls?

Yes, many companies, including car insurance companies, record phone calls. But why do insurance companies record calls? And should you let an insurance adjuster record your phone call?

Usually, the recording is for quality control purposes, but the recordings can be used for other reasons too. Insurance adjuster wants a recorded statement because 10% of insurance claims are fraudulent We’ve gathered information on car insurance companies and why they record calls for you in this comprehensive guide.

When you are looking for car insurance, it’s important to check with multiple companies on coverage, rates, and how they conduct business. The best way to do that is to get quotes from different companies. Enter your zip to start getting multiple quotes today.

Why Car Insurance Companies Record Calls

Calls with any larger company are generally recorded. We’ve all been on hold with an insurance agent and heard the announcement that the call was being recorded for quality control, but there are more reasons that a company might record a call.

Let’s look at some reasons it would be in the best interest of a car insurance company to record a customer call.

Why do car insurance companies record phone calls?

Filing a car insurance claim comes with a lot of details and information.

Many car insurance companies record calls to make sure all of the details are correct in the event there is a discrepancy. Sometimes they call it quality assurance. Recording a mobile phone call gives the company and the caller peace of mind that no details will be forgotten or misinterpreted.

So, do insurance companies record every phone call? The answer is maybe.

How long do insurance companies keep recorded phone calls? As long as laws regarding recording mobile phone calls are obeyed, just how long insurance companies keep recorded calls and if they want to record every call is up to each company.

What is an adjuster?

If you file a car insurance claim (or have a claim filed by another party against your insurance) you will most likely have to deal with an adjuster. An liability adjuster is an employee of the insurance agency whose job is to “adjust” or lower the cost borne by the insurance company in an accident.

To this end, an adjuster is interested in finding out if the claim is being inflated or is even being filed falsely. This is not to punish honest people but to keep costs low for everyone by finding instances of fraud. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, the insurance industry estimates that at least ten percent of all claims filed are fraudulent, and this drives up premiums for honest people.

This video gives you information on car insurance fraud and how to avoid it.

The purpose of an adjuster is to save the insurance company and its customers money. Because of this, honest customers are advised to cooperate with adjusters. However, this cooperation does not extend to minimizing your rights by allowing an adjuster to do anything to compromise your claim.

The adjuster is not your enemy, especially if he or she works for your own insurance company, but knowing that the adjustor’s job is to save the company money helps you to keep things in perspective.

What if the adjuster asks me if it’s ok to record a conversation?

If an adjuster wants to record your conversation, you should understand that this is a normal procedure in the insurance industry however it’s certainly advisable to do without consulting an attorney. Adjustors record conversations to have a concrete record of what was said during an interview.

This information is not usually used in any negative way, but it certainly can be. You should take precautions before and after talking with the adjuster about your claim and be very careful to have your own record of the conversation. This is especially true if you are talking to an adjuster for a company other than your own or if you are at fault in the accident.

Even one accident can affect your rates, so it’s important to keep detailed information.
Average Annual Car Insurance Rates With One Accident

One thing you can do is to keep a written record of any interactions you have with anyone regarding your claim for the duration of the process. This will help you remember names, dates, and events even if your claim takes some time to settle.

If you keep this written record, you will be far more likely to be relaxed during a recorded interview and be able to answer questions correctly.

Should you allow an adjuster to record your interview?

In some cases, you may not have a choice if you want your claim to proceed. However, you can insist that the recording be done in person rather than over the phone, where you are less likely to be able to discern from an adjustor’s body language if he or she is confused, puzzled, or disbelieving of anything you say.

Can I record calls with my insurance? Yes, you are allowed to record calls with certain restrictions.

You also have the right to record any conversations you have with an adjuster or anyone else you talk with about your claim. This can be helpful if you need to review what questions car insurance investigators ask.

However, if you are recording interstate phone calls, you should always inform the person that you are recording the conversation and obtain their permission. Otherwise, it is illegal to record a phone call. Failure to inform them could result in legal consequences under wiretap or other laws regarding electronic surveillance.

If you cannot make an audio recording of your interactions with parties involved in your claim, at least make a note in writing about the content of your conversation, the date, time, and place and the names of anyone involved.

This will help you preserve a record of any interactions you have during the course of your claim and document statements to the insurance company after a car accident in case you later need to prove them.

The purpose of all this documentation, recorded and written, is to protect you in the event that anyone involved in the claim later denies a statement or conversation. This does not often happen, but sometimes it is best to prevent problems before they begin.

The very fact that you have recorded conversations or written the facts down will discourage anyone from “creative memory” lapses later in the process.

For the most part, working with an adjuster does not have to be a frightening experience and most claims are settled quickly and easily without the need for resorting to written records. However, preventing problems is always better than solving them.

If you are asked to cooperate with an adjustor by having your conversation recorded, you can probably not worry that anyone is going to use the information in a way you do not want if you have a solid record of what was said during your interview – however that is the problem. Most people don’t know what not to say.

A copy of the recorded conversation or your own notes will give you evidence just in case any part of your interview with the adjuster is ever questioned, but the safest route is to speak with an attorney first.

If you are unhappy with your car insurance company or coming up for renewal, the best way to find the best company for you is to shop around. Different companies offer different coverages at different rates. Start getting multiple quotes today just by entering your zip now.

Case Studies: Insurance Adjuster Wants Recorded Statement

Case Study 1: Suspected Fraudulent Claim

In this case study, a car insurance company recorded a phone call with a policyholder who filed a claim for an accident. The insurance adjuster suspected that the claim might be fraudulent based on the information provided.

By recording the conversation, the insurance company aimed to gather evidence and assess the accuracy of the claim details. The recorded statement played a crucial role in investigating the claim further and determining its legitimacy.

Case Study 2: Discrepancies in Claim Details

In another case study, a policyholder filed a car insurance claim for a significant accident. During the recorded phone call, the insurance adjuster noticed discrepancies in the claimant’s account of the incident. The adjuster used the recorded statement as a reference to verify the accuracy of the reported information.

By comparing the recorded conversation with other evidence and witnesses, the insurance company was able to determine the extent of liability and handle the claim accordingly.

Case Study 3: Clearing Misinterpretations

In this case study, a policyholder contacted their car insurance company to report a claim but provided incomplete or unclear information about the accident. The insurance adjuster recorded the phone call to ensure all necessary details were captured accurately.

The recorded statement allowed the adjuster to listen carefully, clarify any misunderstandings, and obtain a comprehensive understanding of the incident. This helped in processing the claim smoothly and avoiding potential conflicts or disputes.