3 Phrases You Must Never Say to an Insurance Adjuster After an Accident

1. Why Insurers Call So Quickly

The adverse insurance company has standardized calling victims within 24–72 hours of the accident. The single reason: to extract statements before you retain an attorney, so the settlement can be reduced.

At this moment, you don’t yet fully know the extent of your injuries, your memory is fogged by the shock of the accident, and you are unfamiliar with insurance procedures. From the insurer’s perspective, this is the prime window for obtaining the most advantageous statements.

2. Never Say #1 — “I’m fine” / “괜찮아요”

The most common Korean cultural response is to say “괜찮아요” (I’m fine). But this phrase is recorded as “no injuries reported”, and later when pain or sequelae appear, the insurer uses it to deny the claim — “you said you were fine right after the accident, so why are you in pain now?”

Common accident injuries — whiplash, herniated disc, concussion — typically don’t manifest until 1–3 days after the accident. Saying “I’m fine” immediately is medically inaccurate.

3. Never Say #2 — “I’m not sure” / “잘 모르겠어요”

It is normal not to remember details due to accident shock. But recording “I’m not sure” in a recorded statement allows the insurer to inflate your share of fault. Example: “I’m not sure exactly which direction the other car came from” → used as evidence of your inattention.

The safe response is: “I cannot give an accurate answer right now. I will respond after reviewing the police report with my attorney.” “Reserving the answer” is safer than “I don’t know.”

4. Never Say #3 — “It might have been my fault” / “제가 잘못한 것 같아요”

Korean culture often leads people to apologize after an accident as a moral courtesy. But in NJ, expressions like “Sorry” or “It was my fault” can be used in court as an admission of liability.

NJ is a comparative negligence state — if your fault is 51% or more, your settlement is reduced to $0. At 30% fault, your settlement is reduced by 30%. A careless phrase can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

5. What to Say Instead — Safe Script

6. Your Insurer vs Their Insurer — Different Rules

• Your insurer — You have a duty to report the accident, but detailed statements should wait for attorney representation
• Adverse insurer — You have no obligation to answer at all. Decline all calls or refer them to your attorney
• Recorded Statement — Even your own insurer’s request can be declined; the adverse insurer’s request should always be refused

Frequently Asked Questions