Insurance Adjuster

An insurance adjuster is one of the first parties you may deal with after being injured in an accident. Whether they represent your insurance company or another person’s, their involvement in your personal injury claim can significantly affect its outcome. Understanding what an insurance adjuster does and how you should interact with them is important.

What Does an Insurance Adjuster Do in St. Louis, Missouri?

An insurance adjuster, or claims adjuster, is someone typically employed by an insurance company to investigate and resolve personal injury cases. 

Their core duties include:

Adjusters may work directly for the insurer or be independent contractors hired on a case-by-case basis. 

Insurance Adjusters Help Resolve Your Claim, but They’re Not on Your Side

Many people make the mistake of thinking their adjuster is always there to help them. Adjusters may act professionally and even seem sympathetic, but they are not neutral. They are trained negotiators tasked with determining coverage and reducing their company’s liability and payouts.

They May Use Your Words Against You

One of the most important things to remember is that anything you say to an insurance adjuster can be used against you. You may be asked to give a written or recorded statement or even casually recount the events of your accident. Even innocent remarks such as “I’m doing okay” can be twisted to imply you were not seriously hurt. 

Here are some ways your words might be used against you:

  • Minimizing your injuries: A casual conversation about feeling better could be used to suggest you were not truly injured in your accident. 
  • Admitting fault: Anything that suggests guilt, even unintentionally, can harm your claim.
  • Conflicting statements: Any inconsistencies between your statement and medical records, police reports, or future testimony may be used to challenge your credibility.

It is highly recommended to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer before providing any statements to an insurance adjuster after your accident.

They May Dispute Liability

Insurance adjusters frequently dispute liability. 

Even in a claim where fault seems clear, they may argue:

  • You were partially or wholly at fault for the accident
  • A third party may be responsible
  • There is insufficient evidence to support your version of events

This tactic might significantly reduce your compensation, especially when Missouri’s pure comparative negligence laws come into play. 

These laws could reduce your compensation by your share of the fault if you are found to be partly or wholly responsible for the accident. An adjuster may shift as much blame onto you as possible to minimize the payout or avoid one altogether.

They May Question the Severity of Your Injuries

Insurance adjusters are often skeptical of injury claims, especially those involving soft tissue damage, delayed symptoms, or ongoing treatment. 

They may suggest:

  • Your injuries are not as severe as you claim
  • Your medical treatment was unnecessary or excessive
  • You had pre-existing conditions that are unrelated to the accident
  • You failed to mitigate your damages by not seeking timely treatment

Insurance adjusters may try to request access to your entire medical history after an accident in hopes of finding something to use against you. 

They May Delay or Deny Your Claim

Delay tactics are a common method insurance adjusters use to pressure personal injury victims into accepting lower settlements. 

They may:

  • Take weeks or months to respond to communications
  • Ask for redundant or unnecessary documentation
  • Say they are “waiting for a supervisor” or additional review
  • Tell you the process is taking longer than usual

These delays can lead to mounting medical bills, missed work, and financial stress, which may compel you to accept a lowball offer out of desperation. 

A St. Louis personal injury lawyer can help if your insurance adjuster is delaying or denying your claim without cause or engaging in bad faith. 

They May Make Lowball Settlement Offers

It is very common for an insurance adjuster to make an initial settlement offer that is far lower than what your claim is worth. They may do this quickly after the accident, before you have fully understood the extent of your injuries or spoken with a lawyer. Accepting a low settlement can prevent you from recovering additional compensation later, even if your condition worsens or you discover other damages.

Why You Should Work With a St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer

Dealing with an insurance adjuster alone is risky, especially when your physical, emotional, and financial well-being is on the line. 

A St. Louis personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights and fight for compensation by:

  • Communicating directly with an insurance adjuster on your behalf
  • Helping you respond to requests for statements and records 
  • Gathering strong evidence to support your claim
  • Calculating the full value of your losses, including current and future medical costs
  • Negotiating for a fair settlement
  • Filing a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith 

Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay unless you win or recover compensation.

Dealing with an Insurance Adjuster? A St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Insurance adjusters play a central role in personal injury claims, but their interests do not align with yours. They may seem helpful, but their primary objective is to minimize their company’s financial responsibility after your accident. From disputing liability to questioning your injuries, they may use various tactics to limit your ability to recover fair compensation. 

Schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis personal injury lawyer from Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers today for help.