While it is true that you should be truthful to your insurance company so that you can get the right coverage you need for an incident, this doesn't mean that you should say everything. There are somethings you can say to help you with your case, but there are also things you can say that can cause a lot of unwanted consequences on your end. What kind of consequences, you ask? Well, it is the fact that the conversation that you have with your insurance provider may be recorded, and anything that you say to them can be used against you when processing your claim. Anything from sharing too much information or sharing incorrect statements can lead to a denial of your claim. Even if you succeed, the compensation may end up being lowered below what you actually deserve!

That said, you might be wondering then what the things you can say and should not say are. Well, you're in luck! Let's talk about what you should and should not tell your insurance company after an accident:

What To Say

1. Your Identification Information

If you were injured in an accident, it is necessary that you tell your insurance company what your name, address, and phone number are. That way, they can contact you in case they need any additional information or want to get in touch with you. If you were in a car accident, you'd want to let them know what the make and model of your car are, too.

2. The Accident's Location

Even if you don't think it's important, you should let your insurance company know where the accident happened. This is because they need to know the details of the accident, and the location of it can often give the insurance company the details that they need. For example, if you were in a hit-and-run accident, your car's make, model, and license plate number may give the police more specific details to search for.

3. The Date and Time of the Accident

You shouldn't forget to tell your insurance company when the accident happened. This can help them determine who was at fault and who has what rights in terms of a lawsuit or claim.

4. The Other Driver's Information

If you were in an accident with another driver, whether or not you're at fault, you should tell your insurance company who that person is. If you don't, then you won't get covered for injuries or damages caused by that driver. They may also not be able to help you if it comes down to a lawsuit. It's best to give your insurance company all of the information you can about the other driver so that they can determine right away who was at fault.

What To Avoid

1. Agreeing To Quick Compensation

One of the things you don't want to do is agree to quick compensation. This is because the more you deal with your insurance company, the more you're likely to get a better settlement. If you get a settlement quickly, you're not likely to get as much as you would if you waited it out.

2. Delving Into Detail about the Accident

While you may want to get all of your information to your insurance company, you should avoid telling them every little detail about the accident. This is because the more detail you give, the more information they have to use to figure out who was at fault in the accident. You never know if they'll use this information against you, so it's best to keep it at a minimum.

3. Describing Your Injuries

If you are hurt in an accident, then you may be tempted to tell your insurance company how bad your injuries are. However, you should try your best not to do this. The reason for this is that injuries can actually get worse, and new ones may pop out over the course of the next couple of hours or days.

4. Apologizing For The Accident

Some people feel like they have to apologize to their insurance company or even the other party after an accident. This is the biggest thing to avoid. Apologizing means you were at fault, and this may not be the case in the first place.

5. Saying That You're Okay

Most people think they have to say that they're okay when they're not after an accident or injury. You shouldn't do this in the first place because you may slip up and say otherwise later. It's better to just tell your insurance company that you need a little time to process everything, and you'll get back to them with more details later.

6. Admitting Anything

When you're dealing with the insurance company, it's best to keep a clear head and not let them bait you into admitting anything. For example, if they say, "You were at fault because you texted while driving," don't say, "No, I wasn't because I didn't have my phone out." Instead, say, "I'm not sure what happened."

7. Talking About How It Feels

Many times, people want to express how they feel about an accident or injury. However, you should avoid talking about how it feels. This is because the insurance company may use the information against you and say that you weren't injured or you faked your injuries.

Conclusion

There are a lot of things you should tell your insurance company, and there are also some that you should avoid telling them. As such, it can be quite frustrating trying to figure out what you should and should not say, but it is best to avoid saying things that you would regret later. Generally, do your best to speak only when it is necessary. Only share things briefly, keep things short and simple, and avoid anything that is irrelevant or too detailed! In doing so, you stand a better chance of being better compensated by your insurance company.

If you need help through all of this, always feel free to hire an attorney to find relief. They can help you understand what it is you should be sharing and what you should not, and the earlier you hire one to help you out, the better your chances are of successfully making your claim!

Mendez & Sanchez Law offers professional and expert attorneys that can help anyone pursue the compensation that they deserve. If you are looking for an accident lawyer in CA, get in touch with us right away!