As a commercial property owner in Houston, you’ve already faced the stress of unexpected damage. Now comes the claims process and every word you say to an insurance adjuster counts.
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Hence, what you say and how you say it, can directly affect the size of your payout. To protect your claim, you first need to understand exactly who you are dealing with.
What role does an adjuster play in your payout?
When you file a claim, the insurance company assigns an adjuster to investigate and evaluate your loss. They inspect the damage, verify your policy coverage and calculate your payout based on their findings. Because adjusters control this evaluation, they hold real power over your final settlement.
One inconsistent statement from you can give them grounds to reduce or even deny your claim entirely. With that in mind, here are four specific phrases you should never say during those conversations with your adjusters.
4 phrases that could cost you your settlement
Now that you understand the adjuster’s role, it’s critical to know what to avoid saying. Some phrases may seem polite or harmless, but they can seriously damage your settlement. Hence, here are four things you should never say to your adjuster:
- I’m sorry: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. The adjuster can treat even a simple apology as a legal admission of liability, which could reduce or eliminate your ability to collect damages.
- Sure, you can record this: The law does not require you to provide a recorded statement right away. In fact, adjusters can use these recordings to find inconsistencies in your account, so politely decline and offer to respond in writing instead.
- That area was already broken, but…: While honesty is important, raising pre-existing damage carelessly can backfire. The adjuster may use your words to blame your entire loss on old damage and significantly cut your payout.
- It’s not that bad: Adjusters and property owners often miss critical damage during early assessments. If you downplay the damage initially and discover serious structural issues later, the insurer can use your original statement to argue against a larger payout.
Avoiding these phrases protects your claim and keeps the adjuster from using your own words against you. Being fully prepared for the entire process is what truly makes the difference.
Never face the claims process unprepared
These four phrases may seem harmless at the moment, but they can have serious financial consequences for your commercial property claim. Insurance companies train adjusters to know exactly what to listen for during every conversation. The more you prepare before speaking with an adjuster, the better your chances of receiving a fair settlement. Understanding your rights, choosing your words carefully and having the right guidance by your side can make all the difference between a payout that covers your losses and one that falls far short.