After a car accident, it’s common to feel overwhelmed. You might be dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and confusing paperwork — and then suddenly, your phone rings. On the other end is someone from the other driver’s insurance company. You might wonder, “Why is the other insurance company calling me?” or even feel pressured to answer their questions.
Here’s the truth: that call is not just a friendly check-in. The other insurance company is reaching out to gather information, assess fault, and protect their financial interests. Understanding why they’re calling and how to handle it is essential to protecting your rights and your potential compensation.
What Does It Mean When the Other Insurance Company Calls You?
If you’ve been in an accident that involved another driver, their insurance company will likely contact you soon after the incident. The adjuster might sound polite, helpful, or even concerned — but their main goal is to minimize the amount their company has to pay out.
They want to:
- Get your version of the accident to see if they can find inconsistencies.
- Ask about your injuries to limit how much compensation you might get.
- Convince you to accept a quick settlement before you understand the full extent of your damages.
It’s important to remember that insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their job is not to help you; it’s to protect their client and their bottom line.
Why Is the Other Insurance Company Calling Me?
There are several reasons why the other driver’s insurer may contact you after an accident:
1. To Investigate Fault
Their primary goal is to determine who was at fault. Even if the police report already shows who caused the accident, the insurance company will try to find additional details or statements that can shift blame away from their policyholder and onto you.
They might ask questions like:
- “Can you explain how the accident happened?”
- “Were you driving above the speed limit?”
- “Did you see the other car before the crash?”
These questions are designed to get you talking — and sometimes, to get you to say something that weakens your claim.
2. To Gather Information
The other insurance company might also call to collect factual information such as the time, date, location, and details of the accident. While this seems harmless, it’s easy to unintentionally say something that could be used against you later.
For example, saying “I’m okay” could be interpreted as a sign that you weren’t injured, even if your symptoms appear days later.
3. To Assess Injuries
They may ask questions about your injuries or medical treatment. What they’re really doing is trying to limit how much money they’ll need to pay for your medical bills and pain and suffering. They may even suggest that your injuries were pre-existing or minor.
4. To Offer a Quick Settlement
Another reason they call is to offer a fast settlement. This might sound appealing, especially if you need money for repairs or medical expenses. However, these offers are often much lower than what you actually deserve. Once you accept and sign, you usually give up your right to ask for more — even if you later discover additional injuries or expenses.
What the Insurance Adjuster Wants From You
When you pick up that call, the insurance adjuster’s goal is not to help you — it’s to protect their company’s interests. They want to:
- Get you to say something that suggests partial fault.
- Record your statements for later use.
- Make your injuries seem less serious.
- Close the claim as quickly and cheaply as possible.
Even if the adjuster sounds friendly, remember: they are trained negotiators. Every question they ask is intentional and carefully worded to benefit their company.
What You Should Avoid Saying to the Other Insurance Company
You are not required to speak to the other insurance company or provide a recorded statement. If you choose to talk to them, be extremely careful about what you say. Here are things you should avoid discussing:
1. Don’t Admit Fault
Even if you think you might share some blame, never say it. Fault is determined by evidence, not assumptions, and admitting fault can severely damage your claim.
2. Don’t Talk About Injuries
Avoid discussing your injuries or medical treatments. You may not yet know the full extent of your injuries, and saying “I’m fine” could be used to deny future medical claims.
3. Don’t Downplay the Accident
Statements like “It wasn’t that bad” or “My car just has a small dent” can minimize your claim value.
4. Don’t Guess or Speculate
If you don’t know something, it’s okay to say, “I’m not sure.” Guessing can create inconsistencies that the insurance company can later use against you.
5. Don’t Agree to Be Recorded
You have the right to refuse a recorded statement. If they insist, politely decline and say you’ll provide information through your attorney or your own insurer.
What to Do When the Other Insurance Company Calls
When you receive a call from the other driver’s insurance company, take the following steps to stay in control:
1. Stay Calm and Polite
It’s natural to feel frustrated or nervous, but being calm and respectful can help you maintain control of the conversation.
2. Confirm Their Identity
Ask for the adjuster’s full name, phone number, and the insurance company they represent. Keep a record of every call or message you receive.
3. Provide Only Basic Facts
If you choose to speak to them, stick to simple information like:
- Your name and contact details
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- The vehicles involved
Do not discuss injuries, causes, or blame.
4. Don’t Sign Anything Right Away
If they send you any documents to sign — like a settlement agreement or release form — do not sign without reviewing it with your attorney first.
5. Direct Them to Your Insurance Company or Attorney
You can simply say:
“I prefer that you speak with my insurance adjuster or my attorney regarding this matter.”
This helps ensure that all communication is handled professionally and protects you from making costly mistakes.
Why You Should Let an Attorney Handle the Call
Dealing with insurance adjusters can be stressful and confusing. Having a personal injury attorney represent you takes that burden off your shoulders.
Here’s how a lawyer can help:
- Handle all communication: Your attorney can talk to both your insurer and the other driver’s insurer on your behalf.
- Protect your rights: They’ll make sure you don’t say anything that could hurt your case.
- Negotiate fair compensation: Lawyers understand how to calculate the true value of your claim, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
- Fight lowball offers: If the insurance company offers less than what you deserve, your attorney can push for a higher settlement or take the case to court.
When you have legal representation, insurance companies take your claim more seriously.
Common Tactics Used by Insurance Adjusters
Understanding their strategies can help you recognize when you’re being manipulated. Some common tactics include:
- Being overly friendly: Adjusters often act kind and sympathetic to make you drop your guard.
- Requesting recorded statements: They’ll use your own words later to dispute your claim.
- Offering quick settlements: They hope you’ll accept before realizing the full extent of your injuries.
- Blaming you partially: Even a small admission of fault can reduce your payout under comparative negligence rules.
- Asking confusing or repetitive questions: This can make you contradict yourself unintentionally.
Recognizing these tactics helps you respond wisely and avoid weakening your case.
Protect Yourself From Insurance Company Pressure
If you haven’t already hired an attorney, there are still steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Be polite but firm. You can say, “I’m not comfortable answering these questions without legal advice.”
- Keep a call log. Record the date, time, and what was discussed in every conversation.
- Avoid sharing personal details. Don’t discuss work, family, or unrelated medical history.
- Never guess or estimate. If you don’t know, say so.
- Request written communication. Ask them to send any questions or offers in writing.
These precautions ensure you stay in control and avoid being pressured into a decision.
Why You Shouldn’t Settle Too Quickly
It might be tempting to take a fast payout, especially when bills are piling up. But early settlements often don’t reflect the full cost of your injuries and damages. Once you accept a settlement, you can’t reopen the claim — even if new medical issues appear later.
An attorney can help you understand the true value of your claim, taking into account:
- Future medical expenses
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Lost income or reduced earning potential
- Pain and emotional suffering
Waiting for a fair offer can make a big difference in your recovery and financial stability.
Final Thoughts: Stay Cautious and Protect Your Rights
If you’ve been asking, “Why is the other insurance company calling me?” — now you know it’s part of their strategy to protect themselves, not to help you. Their goal is to reduce the amount of money they pay out for your claim.
Always be cautious about what you say. You don’t have to provide a recorded statement or accept a quick settlement. Instead, focus on protecting your rights and getting fair compensation for your losses.
Before you talk to the other driver’s insurance company, consider contacting a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can guide you through the process, handle all communication, and ensure you get the full compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in an accident and the other insurance company is calling, don’t face them alone — get a free case evaluation today and protect your rights.