5 Insurance Adjuster Tricks and How to Beat Them

Insurance adjusters handle hundreds of claims per year. They've been trained in negotiation tactics designed to minimize every payout. You've probably never negotiated an insurance claim before.

That imbalance is by design. Insurance companies profit when you accept less than you're owed. Every dollar they don't pay you is a dollar of profit.

As Brad DeBry explains from decades of working these cases: "The details matter. Even one missing piece can make the whole picture unclear." Here are the 5 tactics adjusters use most — and how to beat each one.

What they do: Within days of the accident, before you've had time to research your car's value, they call with a "generous" offer. It feels fast and easy. It's also 20-40% below fair market value.

Why it works: You're stressed, you need a car, and a check sounds good right now.

How to beat it: Never accept the first offer. Say "I need time to review this" and hang up. Get an independent appraisal. Our clients recover an average of $6,500 above the initial offer — that "generous" first offer was leaving thousands on the table.

What they do: "We just need a quick recorded statement about what happened." They're hoping you'll say something they can use to reduce your claim — admit partial fault, downplay the damage, or contradict the police report.

Why it works: People want to be helpful and honest. Adjusters are trained to ask leading questions.

How to beat it: You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance. Period. Politely decline. If your own insurance asks, check your policy — you may be required, but be careful and stick to facts only.

What they do: To value your car, they use CCC ONE or Mitchell to pull "comparable vehicles." But the comparables they select are from distant markets, have higher mileage, are lower trim levels, or are missing your vehicle's options — all to drag the average value down.

Why it works: Most people don't know they can challenge comparables.

How to beat it: Request the full itemized valuation report. Go through each comparable. Does it match your year, make, model, trim? Similar mileage? Same market? Same options? Challenge every one that doesn't match. Then present your own local comparables showing the real value.

What they do: They drag out the process — requesting more documents, "still reviewing," adjuster goes on vacation, need to transfer your file. Weeks turn into months.

Why it works: You get frustrated. You need the money. Eventually you accept a lower offer just to end it.

How to beat it: Under Utah Administrative Rule R590-190, insurers must acknowledge claims within 15 days and settle within 30 days. If they're stalling, cite R590-190 in writing and file a complaint with the Utah Insurance Department at (801) 957-9200.

What they do: They tell you diminished value "isn't a real thing," loss of use isn't covered, or sales tax on a replacement vehicle isn't their responsibility. They're counting on you not knowing the law.

Why it works: Most people believe the adjuster. They assume insurance companies follow the rules.

How to beat it: Know your rights. Under Utah Code §31A-22-304(2)(a)(iii), the at-fault driver's insurance owes you ALL property damages — including diminished value, loss of use, sales tax, registration fees, and personal property damaged in the vehicle. If they deny these, respond in writing citing the statute. Our full insurance negotiation guide covers how to handle each of these disputes.