After the statement you should always ask your insurance adjuster for a transcription of the tape.
This will ensure that you have a copy of all you said, and that you will not be misquoted!
After the Statement:
Ask for copy of the statement again. Make sure that is put in the mail for you, so you can refer to it when you need it. When you get it, you must READ IT.
Adjusters take hundreds of statements every month (this is true). They do not have time to read or listen to the tape of your particular accident. Many times they even lose the tape. They simply move on to the next task. This is important because adjusters can forget critical information or by mistake think that you said something that you did not. They will quote this statement, and they will quote you directly. But if you read what you said, you can very simply say “that is incorrect, in the transcription of the tape, page 4 line 17 I said XXXXX”.
Your adjuster face will turn white, and she will know that she is dealing with an educated insured. Unfortunately, your claim is one more in someone’s desk, you must know more than the adjuster in other to protect your interest.
Thank the adjuster for her time, and ask for the next step? So I have provide what you wanted, now what? Take note of those steps, and then send the adjuster a letter. The letter should say something like this:
“Thank you for taking the time today to take my recorded statement regarding claim number. As we discuss before, during, and after the statement, you will send me a transcribed copy of the recording. Please be sure to do that at your earliest convenience.
In addition, after the statement we discussed the next necessary steps to process my claim. You outline the following: get police report, pictures, medical reports, etc.. If this information is not accurate, or incomplete, please contact me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss, Thank you.”
Short, sweet, and to the point. Your adjuster will know that you are watching and that you are leaving a paper trail in case of disputes. This will put them on their toes.