What Should I Say When an Insurance Adjuster Asks for a Statement?

 Posted on August 19, 2026 in Personal Injury

After an accident or injury, you’re likely to be contacted by an insurance adjuster. They may ask you for a recorded statement. Even if they make it sound like giving a statement is urgent, you are generally under no obligation to give one to another person’s insurance without speaking to an attorney first.

What you say on that call can affect your claim later. Even a short, casual conversation can end up in your claim file and affect what you are ultimately paid. An Arlington Heights, IL personal injury attorney can help you understand what to say and what to avoid before you talk to an adjuster in 2026.

Do I Have to Give a Recorded Statement to an Insurance Adjuster in Illinois?

In most cases, you’re not legally required to give the other person’s insurance company a recorded statement. Legal obligations for statements typically only apply to your own insurer, under the cooperation clause in your policy. Even then, you may have time to consider your answer or speak with an attorney first.

Giving a statement to another person’s insurance is not usually as urgent as adjusters may make it seem. Even if they are using language that puts pressure on you, in most cases, you are permitted time to think about what you want to say.

Why Should I Avoid Giving an Insurance Adjuster a Statement Before Speaking to an Attorney in Illinois?

While interactions with insurance companies are routine parts of working towards a settlement after an accident, it’s important to remember that the job of an insurance employee is to look out for the interests of their company. Insurance companies are often on the lookout for reasons to reduce the damages they pay. Polite, automatic responses to questions, such as "I’m fine," may well be used to reduce your claim.

There are some limits to what insurance adjusters can do under Illinois law. For example, insurers can’t knowingly misrepresent facts or policy terms to you per 215 ILCS 5/154.6. They’re also expected to investigate and settle claims in good faith rather than lowball settlements or drag a claim out such that you are compelled to sue to get compensation. However, the best defense against possible insurance tactics is to proceed carefully and take your time before giving them answers that may affect your case.

What Should I Avoid Saying to an Insurance Adjuster in Illinois?

Some common mistakes open the door to reducing your claim. Try to avoid:

• Apologizing or saying anything that sounds like admitting fault
• Making statements about your well-being that could be interpreted as you not being injured
• Guessing about facts about the accident and how it happened if you’re not sure
• Describing your injuries in detail before you’ve been fully evaluated
• Agreeing to a settlement before you know the full extent of your damages

Stick to basic facts, like the date, time, and location. Avoid volunteering more than that. If the adjuster asks something you’re not sure how to answer, it’s fine to say you’ll need to follow up later.

Can I Wait to Speak With a Lawyer Before Talking to an Adjuster in Illinois?

In most situations, you can ask for time before giving any statement. Telling the adjuster you’d like to speak with an attorney first is a reasonable request, not an admission that something is wrong with your claim. Many attorneys can get back to you fairly quickly after you reach out.

Call a Schaumburg, IL Personal Injury Attorney Today

What you say to an adjuster after an injury can affect your claim significantly. It helps to have someone in your corner from the start.

Newland & Newland, LLP is comprised of local attorneys who know the community and have decades of combined experience handling personal injury cases. We’ve recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for injured clients. We can walk you through the most common tactics insurance companies are likely to use to downplay the severity of your injuries.

Call 847-797-8000 today to schedule a free consultation with our Arlington Heights, IL personal injury lawyers.