What Does an Adjuster Do After an Accident?

The accident is over, but the chaos hasn’t stopped. Your phone rings, and it’s someone from the insurance company saying they’ll “take care of everything.” That person is the claims adjuster who decides what your car is worth, who’s at fault, and how much money you’ll actually see. For most people, this is the first time hearing that the adjuster doesn’t work for them. Their loyalty is to the insurance company, and their job is to close your claim as quickly and cheaply as possible.

When you’re sitting there with a wrecked car and a stack of bills, that reality can feel like a punch in the gut. You expect help, but what you get instead is an evaluation, and one that could decide whether you replace your car or fight to make rent. Before you pick up that call or sign any papers, take a minute to learn what the adjuster actually does and how their decisions affect your payout.

Who Is an Insurance Adjuster?

An insurance adjuster is the investigator and gatekeeper of your claim. They step in right after a car accident to collect facts, evaluate the damage, and decide how much the insurance company should pay. In Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, adjusters must be licensed under state law and follow rules that govern how they investigate and handle claims, but that doesn’t mean the process always feels fair.

There are a few kinds of adjusters you might meet after a car accident:

• Company or Staff Adjuster: Works directly for your insurance company.
• Independent Adjuster: A contractor hired by an insurer to help handle local claims.
• Public Adjuster: Works for you, not the insurance company, though they’re rare in auto cases.

Whichever kind you meet, they control the flow of information, and information is power in the claim process.

What Does the Adjuster Do for Auto Insurance after Car Accidents

Once you file a claim, the adjuster becomes the point person between you and the insurance company. Their job sounds simple and is investigate, evaluate, and settle, but every decision they make directly affects how much money you receive and how fast you get it. Let’s look at what they do at each step to help you protect yourself when the system starts feeling one-sided.

1. Investigating the Claim

The adjuster’s first job is to gather the facts. They’ll review the police report, contact witnesses, and call you for a statement. Some may even visit the scene or inspect the vehicles involved. These conversations can sound casual, but every word you say matters. Adjusters are trained to look for inconsistencies or comments that could shift partial fault your way.

If you mention being “distracted” or “not sure what happened,” that could reduce your payout later. Remember, the adjuster’s responsibility is to protect the insurer’s financial interest.

2. Inspecting and Assessing the Damage

Next comes the inspection. Some adjusters still meet you in person, while others rely on photo submissions or virtual assessments. The first “repair estimate” they provide is rarely the full picture. It’s common for hidden damage to appear only after a body shop performs a teardown.

In Florida and most other states, insurers can declare your car a total loss if repair costs reach around 75–80% of its actual cash value. That decision belongs to the adjuster. When they make it, your payout is based on the car’s pre-crash market value, but not what you owe on your loan, and not what it costs to replace it. For many families, that gap becomes an unexpected financial burden.

3. Determining Fault and Liability

Who caused the accident? The adjuster decides that, too. They review statements, photos, and police reports to assign fault percentages. In Florida, the no-fault law covers your medical expenses up to $10,000 through Personal Injury Protection (PIP), no matter who’s to blame. But for serious injuries that meet Florida’s “serious injury threshold,” or in fault-based states like Texas and Tennessee, their decision on liability controls your entire recovery.

If the adjuster decides you’re even 20% at fault, your settlement drops by that same percentage. Every word, photo, or delay can shift how they see your claim.

4. Calculating the Settlement Value

Once the damage is confirmed and the fault assigned, the adjuster determines what your claim is “worth.” They review your insurance policy, calculate your car’s actual cash value, and verify what coverages apply. For injury claims, they may also review medical bills, lost wages, and future care costs.

At this stage, you should receive certain key documents from the adjuster, including:

• A damage estimate or valuation report showing how they calculated repair or replacement costs
• A settlement breakdown explaining what each payment covers, such as property damage, medical expenses, or lost wages
• Copies of inspection photos or shop reports used to assess your vehicle’s condition
• A release form or settlement agreement to sign once you accept the offer

Every choice an adjuster makes, from how they interpret your statement to how they calculate your payout, shapes your future. Their report can decide whether your car is repaired or totaled, whether your claim is covered or denied, and how much compensation you actually receive.

If anything is missing or unclear, don’t rush to sign. You have the right to ask for explanations and to see the data behind their numbers, like comparable car listings or appraisals.

How Long Does It All Take

Most people expect their claim to wrap up in a week or two. It rarely does. Adjusters are required by law to acknowledge your claim promptly, that is, typically within 10 to 14 days, but completing the process can take weeks or months.

Delays often happen because:

• Medical records aren’t complete
• Shops are waiting on parts or teardown results
• There are multiple vehicles or insurance policies involved

It’s not always the adjuster dragging their feet, but they rarely push things forward either. Keeping detailed records, calling for updates, and having an attorney check deadlines helps make sure your case doesn’t get buried under someone else’s paperwork.

Talking to an Insurance Adjuster Without Hurting Your Case

This part matters more than most people realize. The adjuster might sound friendly, but every word you say goes into their report. If you tell them, “I’m fine,” or “I didn’t see the other car,” it can be used against you later.

Here’s how to handle it safely:

• Stick to the facts such as time, location, vehicles involved, and basic contact details.
• Don’t admit fault or guess about what caused the crash. If you’re unsure, say you’re still gathering information.
• Keep your answers short and neutral. You don’t need to fill the silence or explain how you feel.
• Never give a recorded statement without talking to your lawyer first.
• Avoid talking about your injuries early on. Some symptoms develop days later, and saying “I’m fine” can ruin your injury claim later.
• Don’t sign anything on the spot. Even basic forms can include waivers that limit your rights.

If the adjuster insists on “getting your side,” politely say you’re working with an attorney and that all communication should go through them. Your lawyer knows exactly what information to share and what can be held back until the full picture of your damages is clear.

When You Don’t Agree With the Adjuster

Sometimes the number they offer just doesn’t feel right, and often, it isn’t. Maybe their repair estimate seems low, or they undervalued your car. You have the right to push back.

You can:

• Ask for a reinspection or get a second estimate from an independent shop.
• Request the valuation report they used, not just the number. It should show the vehicles and the data on which they are based.
• Find your own comparable listings, such as cars of the same year, mileage, and condition, selling in your area.
• Document everything from emails, texts, to phone calls. If they go quiet, these records can prove delays or bad faith later.

If the adjuster still won’t budge, your lawyer can negotiate or file a claim for the real value. And if the at-fault driver’s insurance limits are too low, that is a common issue in states with minimum policies, like in Florida, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may step in. That’s one of the most important protections you can have.

Insurance Adjuster’s Tactics They Don’t Tell You

Every insurance company has its tactics. They might recommend a “preferred” repair shop that keeps their costs down by using cheaper, aftermarket parts or cutting repair hours. You’re not required to use their shop. You can take your car anywhere licensed and reputable, and often, an independent shop will fight harder to document the real damage.

They also won’t mention diminished value. Even if your car is repaired perfectly, it’s worth less now than it was before the crash. In states like Florida, you can file a separate claim to recover that lost resale value.
Another thing they won’t say: the first check is rarely the last. The initial estimate is designed to move the claim fast, not to pay you fairly. You can and should negotiate. With the right documentation and an experienced lawyer reviewing your claim, that offer can increase significantly.

When It’s Time to Call a Lawyer

If your claim starts to feel like a battle, that’s your cue. You should reach out for legal help when:

• The insurer blames you for an accident you didn’t cause
• The offer doesn’t cover full repair or replacement costs
• You’re being rushed to sign a settlement
• You’ve got ongoing medical treatment
• You suspect the other driver’s coverage won’t be enough

A lawyer levels the field. We deal with adjusters every day, and we know their playbook. Before you sign anything, let an attorney review it. That quick step could mean thousands more in your pocket or losing the right to ask for it later.

The Bottom Line

Adjusters are professionals doing their job, but their job is to protect the insurance company, not you. After a crash, it’s easy to assume they’re there to help, until you realize how much control they have over your recovery.

You don’t have to face them alone. If an adjuster has called you, call us first. We’ll make sure your side of the story is heard, your rights are protected, and your settlement reflects what you’ve truly lost, and not just what the insurance company is willing to pay. We serve clients across Florida, with offices in West Palm Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Port St. Lucie, and more. Get your free consultation today!