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: Sat Jun 14, 2008 01:23 am Post Subject: insurance

Hey, LORI. Do you have a choice whether or not you want a recorded session?

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:09 pm Post Subject:

Hey, LORI. Do you have a choice whether or not you want a recorded session?

Well, sure I guess...the way it goes most of the time is the adjuster after getting (be assigned) the claim calls the ins. and claimant and they talk alittle, then the adjuster will explain they want to take a recorded statement about the accident and some basic fact....and asks if that is ok...most people will say that's fine, then the adjuster will turn on the recorder, and start with something along the lines of , ''Todays date is --- the time is --- this is Lori ---- with ----insurance company, Jane Doe do you understand I am recording this conversation? Jane says, 'yes'...do I have your permission to record this conversation? Jane says yes...then typcially the statement begins with , please spell your name, then address etc...yr/make/model...blah blah...then the facts of loss...then at the end the adjuster again says, 'this has been a recorded statement between blah and blah, the date and time now are--- and again, jane you understand i've been recording this...and i had your permission?....we will now end the recorded statement...

Now, if Jane doesn't want to do a recorded statement she doesn't have to....she can say, I'll tell you everything but I don't want to be recorded...Depending on the circumstances and the particular company guidelines, she may be able to complete a written accident form etc...

Now having said all that...the interesting thing is....states vary on recording telephone conversations...In my state only ONE party to a coversation has to know that it is being recorded...In otherwords...I really don't NEED the other persons permission....wierd huh?

My point in this whole thing is I REALLY don't see the issue in signing your name to an accident report or statement that came from your own mouth/hand....I just don't get it.... :? :?

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 01:32 pm Post Subject: insurance

Well..I see what you mean. If you ALREADY made the same statement, ORALLY,..why wouldn't you agree to the same statement, if it was written out? However, I would say you need to read it ( if someone else wrote it..) to make sure it's correct.

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 03:27 pm Post Subject:

I would say you need to read it ( if someone else wrote it..) to make sure it's correct.

ABSOLUTELY...but most of these written statements now are just like a form and an area for you to write out what happened in the accident...i just don't 'get' the big deal... :? :roll:

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 03:43 pm Post Subject: insurance

Years ago, I was in a 'fender-bender'. My car was at a DEAD STOP. I was parked in my parking space, in my apt building. i wasn't even in the car. ANOTHER tenenant was backing out of a space and backed up into the back of my car. She reported to her insurance company (i thought that was stupid to do, cuz there was a witness to what happen). She try to tell her insurance company that i was the one who backed up into HER. Good grief! To make a long story short, HER insurance company contacted MY insurance company and MY insurance company was wrting the statement as I was telling it to them (yeah..right). They said it would "be faster if they wrote it out." THEY wrote the statement, as if it was MY fault. I never signed it. I even had the witness write a statement, too. BOTH insurance companies 'disreguarded' the statement. My damage was VERY minimal...just did some dents on my rear bumper. HER insurance company was trying to get ME to pay HER damages...I don't think so. I dropped that insurance company and got insurance else where. My OLD insurance company wrote to Penndot and told them I was driving without insurance. God....these issue was a mess. Of course, i had proof i was covered, with someone else.

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 04:51 pm Post Subject:

Lori i have no problem signing anything once everything is over. If they just want it for their file what is the problem. But no they have you sign it pick at it word for word than try to find a reason to deny it. And why cant i write it but no they write it out for you. Than i read it and make it sound like its my fault. As an adjuster you should know about these little tricks. Im sure you dont do it you seem like a honest person. I had a little injury with my neck pt, meds and rest fixed it no big deal. But those bills i still pay. I write them letters and they never respond either. Should i call them?

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 09:01 pm Post Subject:

But no they have you sign it pick at it word for word than try to find a reason to deny it. And why cant i write it but no they write it out for you. Than i read it and make it sound like its my fault.

Holly you never said anything like this till SD posted that last post! So NOW are you saying that is terrible adjuster wouldn't EVEN allow you to write it out they wrote YOUR version of the accident out, then slid it across the table to you and said, 'sign here'...you read it and it sounds like you were at fault? Cause you never said that before SD's last post! First of all I don't know any company that has their adjusters take true hand written statements anymore...Please provide the name of the company, city and state....I have seen some forms that people can fill out, with all the needed information on them and a narrative area where you can put your version of the fact....You also have never said what happened in the accident, or IF you have insurance yourself....

If they just want it for their file what is the problem.

They need it to determine (apparently) liablity Holly....If you are telling the whole truth then why wouldn't you sign it? I sincerely doubt that an adjuster wrote this out for you again, I challenge you give me the name of the company, or adjusting company, adjusters name, city and state, and I will PERSONALLY find out about it for you!

As an adjuster you should know about these little tricks.

Holly, I don't know about nor do I do any 'tricks' of any kind...as I said I haven't taken a written statement in 20 years and that was at their request...I'm old enough that I was trained to take written statements, but seriously doubt any company even trains new adjusters in how to properly do this anymore!

Should i call them?

Well, yeah! Holly lets start over....Have they fixed your car? ARe you still in a rental? Where is your car? Has an adjuster looked at your car? Have they requested a medical information release to get copies of your bills? Who and when was the last time you talked to the adjuster and what was discussed at that time? What happen in the accident/facts of loss? Did the police come?

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 03:28 pm Post Subject:

Lori, what could I gain from lying to you. Lying to you isnt going to change my situation. And yes this company still do written statements. Why would all companies stop doing it. He came to my house asked me questions I answered them he wrote them down. At the end he gave it to me to read and told me to sign. But i didnt because he worded in such a way that was unfair. That is what i meant when i first said it was unfair. the questions it self was fine, but he worded my answers in such a way to help them. No, I dont have a rental, my car is sitting at my driveway, No one looked at my car yet, yes they had me sign a release for medical records, i would have my insurance cover the car but i dont have collision, last convo the adjuster and i had was a few days ago. he stated i must sign the statement before they can determine liability even though i answered all their questions. What they are looking for is a way out. I got myself a lawyer now let him deal with them.

You state you dont know about insurance tricks and you work an insurance co. I dont see how you work for the insurance for many years and dont know they insurance have little tricks that they use not to pay out some claims. Not saying you do it because I have a very good feeling you dont. And i wish i had you as an adjuster.

By the way you state quote unquote "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...."

1.) Please dont judge anyone you dont know
2.) I never once labeled you as a bad person
3.) If me and you both was in a line and someone stated to both of us what kind of work do you do? You would state " Im an Insurance Adjuster that adjust claims" I would state " I work for the state assisting low income families in getting help they need".

Now you tell me who will gain people trust faster. I will tell you that I would over an insurance adjuster any time these days. Because Insurance adjuster have a rep. of working for an insurance that rip off people in time of time (fair claims).

So please dont get me wrong I'm not labeling you. But im just illustrating.

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 08:47 pm Post Subject:

And i wish i had you as an adjuster.

I wish you did too, and I mean that...

1.) Please dont judge anyone you dont know

What a minute Holly aren't you doing just that about adjusters?

You state you dont know about insurance tricks and you work an insurance co. I dont see how you work for the insurance for many years and dont know they insurance have little tricks that they use not to pay out some claims

There ARE NO TRICKS HOLLY! I've been at this in one way or another since 1986 and I have never been told/shown/taught or heard about these 'tricks'...But apparently you are well versed in them Holly, please enlighten me on these tricks...seriously...what are they?

Now you tell me who will gain people trust faster. I will tell you that I would over an insurance adjuster any time these days. Because Insurance adjuster have a rep. of working for an insurance that rip off people in time of time (fair claims).

Now see there Holly that's where we differ...people EARN my trust...I don't LABEL an entire profession, and decide to 'trust' or not trust them based on their (legal) occupation ! I know a lot of people Holly that would have alot of disparaging things to say about people that are ''supposed'' (see how that word stings?) to help the down trodden only to let cases gather dust, leave children in terrible conditions, and yes, even line their own pockets at the expense of those less fortunate..Not that I think you would Holly..so please Holly don't go there...You're the one that continues with the 'most'' and 'all'' but Lori you probably don't's....

All I'm saying is I'm more than happy to help you, Holly ..and give you all the information and knowledge that my experience can glean for you...but you haven't answered the questions I asked in an effort to assist you...

But you've got an attorney now, so let him/her take a third of your settlement...

If it were me...I call the adjuster for the insurance company (not the independent adjuster if that is who came to your house)...and I'd talk to the adjuster or their supervisor, tell them I want to fill the form out myself...or I'm not signing it...

Tell us Holly 'how' or 'what' was said on that form that made it look like it was your fault? I'm just curious now..

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 03:49 am Post Subject: Auto Insurance

Well, I am sorry Lori - Adjusters are somehow told to Lie I think - I had an accident and my van was totaled. The Adjuster gave ma a quote about 4K less than what edmunds or Kelley blue book was giving. When I asked how do you get the number - they told that got it from looking at equivalent Vans at dealers near me - out of 29 Vans only one matched my Van. I insisted and produced similar Van at a dealer near my home priced much higher. They just disregarded it and said that they will transfer the case to total loss department and if they value my Van lesser that Adjuster then I will get less money paid - The total loss valuer said that the money determined by the adjuster is the minimum they will pay - that said he also valued my Van against one Van he could find - Again the Van I found a dealer does not matter.

These insurance companies are just after your money they do not care about being fair.

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