When you file a car insurance claim, an adjuster will typically be assigned to your case by your insurance provider. As the primary person responsible for managing your claim, it is essential to understand the adjuster’s role throughout the process, leading up to the insurance company’s final decision.

Overview

The fundamental role of an auto insurance adjuster is to determine whether the conditions of your policy align with the claim you have filed. Sometimes policyholders file claims without understanding their coverage limits, leading them to request compensation for amounts beyond what their policy covers. In such cases, the adjuster’s job is to validate the claim and ensure that the amount you are requesting is within the policy limits. If it isn’t, the adjuster may approve the claim but not at the level you expect.

Initial Contact

After filing your claim, the adjuster will review the basic accident information you provided. To confirm the accuracy of the information, the adjuster will contact you via phone or email. During the call, the adjuster will review the details of your claim and ask questions to determine your degree of fault (if any). If necessary, they may request additional documents or permissions to gather medical records or other related information.

Auto insurance adjusters try to gain a comprehensive picture of the accident, soliciting testimonies from witnesses and other parties involved. They may contact medical providers to verify the extent of injuries or property damage suffered.

Field Work

Aside from collecting testimonies and documentation, an adjuster will also evaluate the physical evidence. The adjuster may visit the accident scene to inspect it further or make a formal diagram of the area. They will also assess vehicular damage and take photographs.

Putting It Together

Once the adjuster completes data collection, they analyze it, looking for discrepancies, determining fault, and deciding how much compensation the claimant deserves. The ability to think critically and analyze the situation objectively is crucial at this point.

Decision Alert and Negotiation

The final responsibility of the adjuster is to inform the claimant about the decision regarding their claim. They may award the exact amount requested, only a fraction of it, or deny the claim altogether. If the claimant disagrees with the decision, they may appeal to the adjuster’s supervisor or an appeals board.

Conclusion

An adjuster is the primary figure in an auto insurance company responsible for reviewing claims and putting together all the pieces of the puzzle to provide an accurate account of the situation. Their analysis informs the insurance company’s decision about the claim’s validity, and they determine the amount of recompense to be awarded to the claimant.