What Is Insurance Adjuster?

• An insurance adjuster is also commonly referred to as a claims adjuster or a claims representative. When you file a claim against your insurance, a insurance adjuster will be the person who contacts you and eventually walks you through the entire process to payment of the claim. Their job is to determine who was at fault in the accident and what insurance benefits you are due.
  
  

What Adjuster Will Talk to You About

• One of the first things an adjuster will talk to you about is the accident, or reason for your claim. The adjuster will ask you to describe what happened, the extent of the damage, if anyone in the accident was hurt, where it happened, as well as the contact information of all the parties involved, including any passengers in the vehicles. They will also talk to you about your coverage, any possible exceptions to coverage, as well as your deductible.
  
  

Details of Accident

• Once the company receives the details of accident, an adjuster will probably request you take some photos of the vehicle, or vehicles involved in an accident. A copy of the police report will also be required. If the police were not involved, you will be asked to write a detailed description of the accident. It is important to be as detailed as possible. At some point in the process the company will more than likely ask you to take your vehicle to a body shop of its choice to have the damage assessed.
  
  

No Fault And Tort

• Depending on who is at fault, and what type of insurance laws your particular state has, you will be dealing with an adjuster from your insurance company or the other persons insurance company. In a no fault state each party deals with their own company, vs. a tort state where fault is determined. In a tort state, if the other party is at fault you will be dealing with that insurance company and adjuster.
  
  

Documentation Important

• When talking with an insurance adjuster, take extra care to document all aspects of the accident, and question any deductions they try to assess. If you feel the payout amount is insufficient, you can appeal the decision. Never sign anything until you have read it completely.
  
  It is important to remember that an insurance adjuster's primary job is to save the company money when dealing with claims. It is best to be polite but firm if you feel you are being treated unfairly. Always be completely honest; making false or misleading statements can lead to your entire claim being dismissed.