Insurance Adjusters & Settlement

Do I have to talk to the other driver's insurance adjuster?

Attorney-Reviewed Answer
Reviewed by Jeff T. Gorman, Criminal Defense Attorney & Former 19th Circuit Prosecutor (Fla. Bar #538183). Last reviewed: September 2026
Short Answer
No. You have no obligation to give a statement to the other driver's insurer, and doing so rarely helps you.

You have a duty to cooperate with your own insurer under your policy. You owe nothing to the other driver's insurance company.

They will call quickly, often within a day or two, and they will be friendly. That's not deception — it's their job. But the adjuster's function is to evaluate and limit the company's exposure, and everything you say serves that evaluation.

What goes wrong. You describe injuries before you know what they are. You estimate speed or distance and get it wrong. You say you're feeling better because you're being polite. Each of those becomes a fact in the file.

What to say instead: confirm the crash occurred, provide your name and contact information, and decline to give a statement or discuss injuries until you've spoken with counsel. That's complete and it's not obstruction.

What you should do: notify your own insurer promptly, since your policy requires it.

Give them your name. Give them nothing else yet. ---

Talk to an Attorney — Free

An answer on a page isn't the same as advice about your case. Talk to an attorney who handles these matters on the Treasure Coast — free and confidential.

This page answers a common question for general informational purposes and is not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading it. Florida law changes; while this answer is reviewed by a licensed Florida attorney, the right answer depends on the specific facts of your situation — consult an attorney. Serving Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties.