# What should I know before talking to an adjuster?

Canonical: https://californiapersonalinjurylaws.com/guides/talking-to-adjuster/

Reviewed by Andrew (Andy) R. Gillin; publisher reported approval on 2026-11-04. Original review date was not supplied.

## Short answer

An adjuster handles claims for an insurer. Be truthful and keep notes. Do not guess about fault or how long your injury will last.

## Hypothetical example

A person says their tests are not done yet. They do not say they are fully healed just to be polite.

## How the rule works

The adjuster’s job is to assess the claim for the insurer. It is useful to separate facts you know from things you are still finding out. Keep copies of what you send.

## What can change the answer

Your own policy may require you to help the insurer review the claim. A request from the other driver’s insurer can raise different issues.

## A useful next step

Ask which insurer the person works for. Get the claim number. Ask what they need and why.

## Can I rely on the insurer’s injury department?

Ask who the adjuster works for. The other side’s insurer is not your lawyer. Your own policy may give you duties too. Get unclear requests explained before you agree.

## Court decisions behind this answer

### Murphy v. Allstate Ins. Co. (1976)

17 Cal.3d 937, pp. 941–945. The insurer owed a duty about settlement to its own insured. The other side could not simply enforce that duty as their own.

Limit: Your own policy can give you different rights. This does not allow an insurer to break other laws.

Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/3d/17/937.html

## Sources

- [California Department of Insurance — Automobile insurance guide](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/01-auto/auto101.cfm)
- [Murphy v. Allstate Ins. Co. (1976) 17 Cal.3d 937](https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/3d/17/937.html)

General information, not legal advice.