“Insurance companies don’t make money by paying out claims.”

That line comes straight from a former Allstate adjuster during testimony in a Georgia court.

It’s a sharp reminder that when you’re dealing with an insurance adjuster after a car accident, you’re not talking to a neutral party. You’re speaking with someone whose job is to protect the company’s bottom line, not yours.

In fact, the Georgia Department of Insurance receives thousands of consumer complaints each year, many of which involve unfair claim settlements or delays. If you’ve been in a crash and think the adjuster is on your side, it’s time to rethink that assumption.

Too many people make costly insurance adjuster mistakes because they don’t know their rights or how the system works. You don’t have to be one of them.

Common Pitfalls You Need to Avoid

Some of the most damaging insurance adjuster mistakes happen in the first few days after a crash. Here’s what people often do wrong:

Mistake 1: Giving a Recorded Statement Without Legal Advice

After an accident, the adjuster will probably call you within 24 to 48 hours. They’ll ask if they can record your version of events “to help move the claim along.” Sounds harmless, right?

It’s not.

Everything you say in that recorded statement can be used against you. You might downplay your injuries. You might misstate the sequence of events. You might not realize the full extent of the damage yet.

And once it’s on tape, you can’t take it back.

What to do instead: Politely decline. You’re not legally required to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer. Talk to a lawyer first.

Mistake 2: Admitting Fault or Apologizing

Even saying “I’m sorry” at the scene can be twisted into an admission of fault. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, if you’re found to be 50% or more at fault, you get nothing.

That means even small statements can have big consequences when the insurer is looking to shift blame.

What to do instead: Stick to the facts. Report what happened without guessing or speculating. Let your lawyer or the police report speak for you.

Mistake 3: Accepting the First Settlement Offer

Adjusters often throw out a lowball offer early. It’s a strategic move. They hope you’ll be stressed, in pain, and ready to close the case fast. And in many cases, people take it.

But once you accept a settlement, you usually can’t reopen the claim, even if you later need surgery or miss more work.

Georgia Stat: The average auto liability claim payout in Georgia is about $17,000 for bodily injury, according to the Insurance Research Council. But that number drops significantly when victims settle too soon or without legal help.

What to do instead: Don’t accept any offer until you’ve had a full medical evaluation and talked to a personal injury attorney.

Mistake 4: Signing Medical Release Forms Too Early

Insurance adjusters often ask you to sign a blanket medical release. They say it’s to verify your injury claim. What they’re really doing is digging into your medical history, including unrelated past injuries or conditions, to deny or reduce your payout.

What to do instead: You have the right to limit what records they see. A lawyer can help you provide only what’s necessary and nothing more.

Mistake 5: Downplaying Your Injuries

You might be tempted to say “I’m fine” or “It’s not that bad” when asked how you’re doing. But many injuries, like whiplash, concussions, or soft tissue damage, don’t show up right away.

By downplaying your pain, you give the insurance company a reason to argue that your injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the crash.

What to do instead: Get checked out by a doctor immediately. Keep detailed notes about your symptoms and follow all treatment plans.

Mistake 6: Posting on Social Media

If you’re pursuing a personal injury claim, your social media posts can be used as evidence. That includes photos, location check-ins, or even status updates that contradict your injury claims.

Insurance companies are known to monitor accident victims’ social accounts. They’re looking for anything they can use to challenge your credibility.

What to do instead: Stay off social media. At minimum, avoid posting anything about the accident or your recovery.

Mistake 7: Not Consulting an Attorney Early

Many people wait until the insurance company denies their claim or lowballs them to contact a lawyer. But by then, key evidence may be lost. Your statements might already be on record. And deadlines may be approaching.

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. But waiting even a few weeks after the crash can hurt your case.

What to do instead: Talk to a personal injury lawyer early. Most offer free consultations, and there’s no obligation. A lawyer can deal with the adjuster for you — and protect your claim from day one.

What an Insurance Adjuster Is Really After

It’s not personal. It’s business. Insurance adjusters are trained to protect company profits, and that means settling claims quickly and for as little as possible.

Their performance is often tied to how efficiently they close files and how much they save the insurer. That creates a clear incentive to minimize your payout. The longer you hold out, the more likely they are to pressure you, question your injuries, or find a reason to shift blame.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the top two consumer complaint categories in the U.S. are delays in claim handling and unsatisfactory settlements. These aren’t rare events. They’re common enough to dominate the data.

In Georgia, the Department of Insurance allows policyholders to file complaints for unfair claims settlement practices. These include:

  • Refusing to pay valid claims without a reasonable investigation
  • Delaying decisions to force lower settlements
  • Failing to provide clear reasons for a denial
  • Misrepresenting policy terms or coverage limits

These tactics fall under what’s known as bad faith. But proving bad faith is difficult and often requires a separate legal process. Most insurers know this. That’s why they push early, before you’ve hired a lawyer or calculated the full value of your claim.

They may seem friendly, helpful, even cooperative. But that’s part of the approach. Their goal isn’t to help you recover. It’s to close your file quickly and cheaply.

The best way to protect your rights is to avoid mistakes from the start. Don’t overshare. Don’t guess.

And don’t go into these conversations alone. A personal injury attorney can level the playing field.

Talk to The Roth Firm Before You Talk to the Adjuster

If you’ve been in a car accident and are dealing with the other driver’s insurance company, don’t go it alone. Mistakes with insurance adjusters can cost you money, time, and your right to fair compensation.

At The Roth Firm, our attorneys focus on personal injury claims,  including those involving aggressive or unfair insurance practices. We’ve helped injured victims across Georgia protect their rights and recover what they’re owed.

Get ahead of the insurer. Talk to us before you talk to them. Contact The Roth Firm for a free consultation today.

Categories: