In the days immediately following an accident in California, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll receive a phone call from the other party’s insurance company. The person on the line; the insurance adjuster; will sound friendly, supportive, and eager to “help you sort everything out.” When you’re dealing with pain, confusion, and mounting stress, that tone can feel reassuring.
But there is one critical truth you must keep in mind: the adjuster is not on your side.
Their friendliness is a strategy. Their job is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line, and that means working to reduce the value of your personal injury claim as much as possible.
During that first conversation, you’ll be asked a series of carefully crafted questions designed to get you to say something; anything; that can later be used to undermine your case. Even innocent remarks like “I’m feeling a little better today” or “I didn’t see the car until the last second” can be twisted to argue you weren’t really hurt or that you were partially at fault. These seemingly harmless statements are among the most common insurance claim mistakes, and they can drastically weaken your injury compensation, or in some cases destroy your claim entirely.
This guide breaks down the five most damaging mistakes people make when dealing with insurance adjusters, so you know exactly what to avoid. Protecting yourself starts with understanding how these tactics work. At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we handle these communications every single day. Our job is to shield you from these strategies, take control of the process, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Mistake #1: Giving a Recorded Statement
One of the most damaging insurance claim mistakes you can make is agreeing to give a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster. They may insist it’s “just a standard part of the process” or something they “need to move your claim forward,” but the truth is very different. The real purpose of a recorded statement is to collect information that can later be used to reduce or deny your personal injury claim before it even gets off the ground. You are not legally required to provide one, and doing so almost never benefits you.
How Your Words Can Be Twisted and Used Against You
When dealing with insurance adjusters, it’s important to remember that they are trained to extract statements that can weaken your case. Innocent phrases can be turned against you:
- A polite “I’m sorry this happened” becomes an admission of fault.
- Responding “I’m fine” to a greeting is used to argue you weren’t really injured.
- Minor memory gaps; normal after trauma; are portrayed as inconsistencies or dishonesty.
They will compare your recorded words with your medical records, future statements, and even deposition testimony. Even the smallest discrepancy can be used to challenge your credibility and argue you’re exaggerating or misrepresenting your injuries
What You Should Say Instead
You have the full legal right to decline a recorded statement, and doing so is almost always the safest choice. A simple, firm response is best:
“I’m focusing on my medical treatment and will not be providing a recorded statement.”
The most effective strategy is to direct all communication through your attorney. Once you hire Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we immediately take over every discussion with insurance companies. This protects you from manipulative questioning and ensures your right to fair and full injury compensation is protected from day one.
Mistake #2: Signing a Blanket Medical Authorization Form
Soon after your first phone call with the insurance adjuster, you will likely receive a stack of paperwork. Hidden among these forms will be a medical authorization request. The adjuster will frame it as a routine step needed to “verify your injuries,” which may sound reasonable. However, signing it without legal guidance is one of the most costly insurance claim mistakes you can make.
Most of these forms are blanket authorizations, intentionally broad and potentially harmful to your claim.
Giving Them Access to Your Entire Medical History
A blanket medical authorization doesn’t just allow the insurance company to review records related to the current accident. It gives them access to your entire medical history, from childhood to the present. This is a major invasion of privacy.
Insurance adjusters will use this wide access to search for anything they can twist against you while dealing with insurance adjusters. The insurer is legally entitled only to records directly related to injuries caused by this accident; not your full health history.
How They Look for Pre-Existing Conditions to Deny Your Claim
The goal of this fishing expedition is simple: find a pre-existing condition to reduce or deny your claim. For example, if your back was injured in the accident, the insurer will comb through past medical visits for back pain, old treatments, or chiropractic records. They will then argue that your current suffering is merely a flare-up of an old issue, not the result of the accident.
This is a classic tactic used to minimize or deny fair injury compensation. At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we make sure insurance companies only receive records they are legally entitled to; nothing more; protecting your privacy and your claim from the very start.
Mistake #3: Accepting the First Settlement Offer
After an accident, financial stress can feel overwhelming. When the insurance adjuster presents a quick settlement check, it can seem like an immediate solution. However, accepting this first offer is one of the most common and costly insurance claim mistakes a person can make. This initial offer is not a fair assessment of your personal injury claim; it is a calculated strategy designed to resolve your case for the lowest possible amount.
Why the Initial Offer is Almost Always Too Low
Insurance adjusters are judged on how quickly and cheaply they can settle claims. The first offer is almost always extremely low, designed to see whether you are unrepresented or unaware of the true value of your claim.
Typically, this initial amount covers only the most obvious expenses, such as:
- Emergency room bills
- Minor medical treatments
Meanwhile, it completely ignores the more significant components of your injury compensation, including:
- Future surgeries or physical therapy
- Long-term lost income
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
The goal of this lowball tactic is to get you to sign quickly before the full extent of your injuries; and the associated costs; can be documented.
The Dangers of Settling Before the Full Extent of Your Injuries is Known
The biggest risk of accepting an early offer is finality. Once you sign a release form, your claim is closed forever. You cannot return for additional compensation; even if your injuries worsen or require costly treatment later.
Many serious injuries, like herniated discs, spinal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries, can develop or worsen over weeks or months. Settling too early may leave you personally responsible for expensive medical care, lost income, and ongoing rehabilitation.
Experienced attorneys at Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys advise clients to never settle until reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI); the point at which your long-term prognosis is clear, and all future medical and financial needs can be accurately calculated. This ensures you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Mistake #4: Minimizing Your Injuries (“I feel fine.”)
When an insurance adjuster asks, “How are you feeling today?” it’s natural to respond politely with something like, “I’m okay” or “I feel fine.” While this may seem harmless, it is actually a common and potentially devastating insurance claim mistake.
Adjusters are trained to record and document every word you say. A casual remark can be interpreted as an admission that your injuries are minor or nonexistent. Adrenaline, shock, or delayed symptom onset can mask serious injuries for hours, days, or even weeks after an accident.
Even if you feel well in the moment, never downplay your symptoms. The safest response is short, neutral, and factual:
“I am under a doctor’s care and following their instructions.”
This simple statement protects your claim while ensuring your injury compensation is not jeopardized by offhand remarks.
Mistake #5: Not Hiring an Attorney
The most critical insurance claim mistake; and the one that makes all the others more dangerous; is trying to handle your personal injury claim on your own. When you are dealing with insurance adjusters, you are at a serious disadvantage. Adjusters are trained professionals with years of experience, vast resources, and a single goal: to minimize what they pay you. Attempting to negotiate or respond to them alone is like entering a legal battle without a shield or a sword.
Let Kohan & Bablove Handle the Adjusters for You
The moment you hire an attorney, the balance of power shifts dramatically. At Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys, we take over all communication with the insurance company, protecting you from tricky questions and manipulative tactics.
We ensure your claim is valued accurately by meticulously calculating all damages, including:
- Future medical expenses
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
We build a case supported by strong evidence and negotiate from a position of strength. Hiring an experienced attorney is not an expense; it is the single most important investment you can make to safeguard your rights and secure the full and fair injury compensation you deserve.
Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys was founded by three former defense attorneys who were tired of helping insurance companies and big corporations save money by paying the least amount possible to resolve claims. We wanted to open a law firm where we could use our years of experience handling the toughest and largest claims to benefit the individual. Each of us were tired of being cogs in the wheel that focused on paying the least amount possible to injured persons regardless of injuries or the validity of their claims.
