Car accident signed statement?

by HollyMarie » Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:35 pm

I was in a car accident. It wasnt too bad of an accident. I was not at fault. The other guy insurance co has yet to accept liability. They say in order to settle they need me to do a signed statement. So i agreed and met with their adjuster. All of the questions was unfair and trying to place the blame on me. So i didnt sign it. Its up to me to provide them with enough information to determine liability. If the statement is just for their file they can wait until we come to an agreement. They are trying to make me answer these unfair questions to deny or reduce fault of their insured. Please adjuster dont answer this think that all adjuster are innocent and just trying to pay a claim fairly because some are not. They collect billions a year and when it time to pay out a fair claim they stiff arm you. All adjuster are not the next best thing to slice bread.

Total Comments: 25

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 06:18 am Post Subject:

Hi, you have said that it wasn't too bad an accident. You have not mentioned anything regarding the damages that you may have suffered. Would like..if you were to open up a lill more! -Plasmahectic

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 06:36 am Post Subject:

Hi..

I feel its a normal scenario that you have come across..

They say in order to settle they need me to do a signed statement.


Its better you don't do that right away!
Insurance adjusters would be in a hurry to settle things for you..but you are to accept things that would seem realistic for the worth of the loss. You also have the right to ask them explain to you their way of arriving at the worth of loss.

I was not at fault.

Any witnesses? Any police report?
Come sooner, RoyalNavyB

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 06:57 am Post Subject:

Dear HollyMarie,

It is natural for insurance cos. to be skeptical while feeding for a claim. Therer a lot of negotiations involved while settling claims. The best way you deal with such situations is through pursuing such cases via your own insurer. Your carrier would a better experienced body n knows better how 2 go about it.

If your policy clauses & state laws permit & the circumstantial evidences are supportive then your carrier might just choose to go for a kinda subrogation. This would be a process wherein they are gonna pay you for your loss & then get it out of the other party's carrier. So its better for you that you explain everything to your carrier & share it back with us over here. Take care,
Dr. BillboardC

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:57 am Post Subject:

Can't I just sign a statement once we come to an agreement?

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:23 pm Post Subject:

All of the questions was unfair and trying to place the blame on me

What is an ''unfair'' QUESTION?

They are trying to make me answer these unfair questions

again what on earth can an ''unfair'' question be SPECIFICALLY?

Can't I just sign a statement once we come to an agreement?

No, Holly, there can't be any agreement unless and until liability has been determined...and liability/negligence cannot be determined untill all the facts are known...If you are refusing to provide answers to questions that are pertainent to the investigation, in other words with holding information, how can they possibly complete their investigation? What is the issue Holly? What questions have you so upset? Most statements regarding auto accidents are just simple fact finding questions....Was there a police report? What exactly happened in the accident? Do you have collision coverage on your vehicle? If so and this upsets you (dealing with the other carrier and their questions) then go thru your own carrier, and they will subro the ''at fault'' carrier...I'm sorry I just can't understand what the issue is with truthfully answering accident related questions? Please explain this better so we can try and help you...

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 03:11 pm Post Subject: accident

I agree with LORI. how can you PROVE the accident was NOT your fault unless you summit the information asked for? If you don't understand something, take a copy of the document to someone who knows the 'ins and outs' of it all.

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:34 am Post Subject:

Thanks sd...that's the way this ole adjuster sees it...glad a 'laymen' does too! :wink:

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 05:58 pm Post Subject:

Ok lets say their was no unfair questions they just need the answers to determine liability and settle the claim. How does me signing it determine liability? Why cant i sign it once the claim has settled? I have to sign papers at the end anyway. And Lori i have a question just for you - just because you play fair doesnt mean all adjusters do. Do really believe most adjusters are saints and innocent no. They are looking for everyway to save the company who write their check. They sit at their desk and lie and decieve people. Im not saying all but most. I cant trust these adjuster.

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 01:17 am Post Subject: insurance

I see your point, too, HOLLY. MOST of adjusters just WANT to save 'their' companies money. ALOT of them don't have the 'best interest' for the clients. I see what you mean. I was looking into Life Insurance recently. Talked to the people over the phone and then went to the office to LOOK for myself..documents, benefits, etc. It seemed like everytime i asked a question, this company was very 'general' on the answers given. Well......if I don't get answers, i don't sign.

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:43 am Post Subject:

How does me signing it determine liability?

It doesn't..(if I'm understanding this) all they want you to do is sign your own statement.. in other words...saying, 'yep this is what i said' period that's it...as a side note, not many companies use written statements anymore I haven't done one is about twenty years (and that one was by request) generally an adjuster will do a recorded statement instead....Holly all you are doing by signing this statement is saying yes, these are my words....this is what I said happened....Honestly I don't understand why this is bothering you....why would you worry about putting your signature on your own words? :?

I have to sign papers at the end anyway.

Only if your injured....

And Lori i have a question just for you - just because you play fair doesnt mean all adjusters do. Do really believe most adjusters are saints and innocent no

I didn't know there was an innocent vs. guilty question...But no Holly I don't think all adjusters are fair, anymore than I think all claimants are telling the truth or not inflating their claims...but you haven't said one thing that shows this adjuster you are dealing with is 'unfair' or guilty of whatever you are eluding too..I'll be honest with you Holly I would (as an adjuster) be suspect of someone that won't even put their own name to their own statement....

They are looking for everyway to save the company who write their check.

Well Holly if you want to think that way about thousands of folks, without any provocation, then go ahead...but their job is to pay what is fair to put those in the claim back in the same position they were prior to the accident no more no less...They are supposed to do it the cheapest way possible you're right...but what's wrong with that? Don't you do the same thing?

They sit at their desk and lie and decieve people. Im not saying all but most. I cant trust these adjuster.

WOW! That's a pretty big statement to make Holly...care to back that up? I've been associated with the property and casuality claims biz, for over 20 years, and I'll tell you somethin' I have never not one time lied or deceived one person....In all that time, I have come across about four or five truly bad adjusters....but to say that 'most' lie and deceive people is a terrible thing for you to say...and without ANY thing to back up such a statement...Just like your post....you went from accusing this adjuster of asking ''unfair'' questions...to well ok, they aren't ''unfair' after all... :roll: You are the one that (apparently) don't have enough faith in your own words to sign your own name to your statement...you haven't even given ONE, NOT ONE reason to say such things about this adjuster...not one Holly! What have they done wrong on your claim? HUM? The nerve of them wanting you to put your own hand to your own words...what have you put in that statement that you are afraid of? I hope you will re-think this attitude you have....You know, folks that think everyone is lying or deceiving them...generally think that way because they are worried everyone else operates (ethically) the same way they do! Something for you to think about....

What happened in your accident Holly? Were you injured? How much damage is there to your car? Do you have insurance? What state are you in?

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