The adjuster who calls after a crash may sound friendly and helpful. Remember who signs their paycheck. Their job is to close your claim for as little as their company can.
The two calls you'll get
- Your own insurer. Your policy requires you to cooperate with them. Report the crash and answer honestly.
- The other driver's insurer. You have no contract with them. You don't have to give them a recorded statement, and you don't have to sign a medical release that opens up your whole history.
Moves to watch for
- A recorded statement right away, while you're hurting and maybe on pain medication.
- A quick offer before you know how badly you're hurt. Once you sign a release, the claim is usually over for good.
- Blanket medical authorizations that reach years of unrelated records.
- Questions that shift blame: your speed, your phone, whether you "saw" the other car.
Coverage that may help you
- Medical payments (MedPay) on your own policy can help with medical bills regardless of fault, if you bought it.
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage helps when the at-fault driver had no insurance, or after a hit-and-run.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may help when the other driver's limits are too low. Indiana insurers must offer UM/UIM, though it can be rejected in writing (IC 27-7-5-2).
- Health insurance usually pays bills as you go, and may ask to be repaid from any recovery.
One simple rule
Before you sign or record anything for the other side's insurer, call us. Once you hire us, they deal with us instead of you.
Related: What to do after a crash · Fees · FAQ
Call (317) 780-8000.
Sources
- IC 27-7-5-2 (UM/UIM coverage): iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_27/Article_7/Chapter_5.pdf
- Indiana Department of Insurance: www.in.gov/idoi/