Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Handling Personal Injury Claims in the Seattle Area and Throughout Washington Since 1995

My name is Chris Thayer and I am a personal injury attorney practicing in downtown Seattle. I handle personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims throughout the greater Seattle area, including Issaquah, Mercer Island and Kirkland.

I am here to help you.

Call for a free consultation (206) 340-2008

Do I have to give a recorded statement to the insurance company?

Posted Monday, July 9, 2012 by Chris Thayer

If you are involved in a car accident, it is likely you will be contacted by your insurance company and the at-fault party’s insurance company (this is, of course, assuming you are not the one at fault). It is quite common for the insurance adjuster to request to want to interview you on the telephone shortly after the collision and to record the conversation.

Are you obligated to talk to the insurance adjusters and provide a recorded statement? Yes and no. YES - As to your own insurer with regards to your PIP coverage, your policy likely contains a “cooperation” clause providing that you must cooperate with your insurer’s investigation of any claim. Note that you are entitled to a copy of this statement and should as a matter of course, request a copy at the completion of any interview. NO - you are not required (and should not) talk to the at fault insurance carrier’s adjuster. You do not need to give a recorded statement to the at fault insurer’s adjuster. Keep in mind that the purpose of such a recorded statement is to find out information to be used to minimize the value of your claim. If you have already given a statement, you have a right to a copy and should make this request in writing. Note, you are also not required to fill out any paperwork or sign any medical records release for the at fault insurer either.

This process can be a bit confusing. You need to keep in mind that, although you have an obligation to cooperate and be honest with your own insurer, that insurance companies make a profit by paying the least amount possible on claims. It is a good idea to consult with an experienced Seattle car accident personal injury attorney