Adjusters like to call you. Why? Well, there are numerous reasons. First, when they are negotiating, they believe they have more power if they call you. There was some study done on negotiating years ago that seemed to support this theory. Second, they have one hundred, two hundred, maybe three hundred claims. They can’t remember who you are unless they are calling you. Third, they can catch you off guard. Maybe you say something you don’t mean to say. Maybe you will agree to settle a claim you shouldn’t settle. Maybe you will be annoyed at them for interrupting dinner and say what they want to get them off the phone.
How do you combat this? You let their calls go to voice mail. Then, you call them back. You call them back at your convenience. When you call them back, you are taking control. First, if their theory that the person making the call has more power is correct, that power now shifts to you. Second, you catch them off guard. Just like they may catch you off guard and get you to say something you should not say, if you catch them off guard, they may say something that they do not want to say. Third, they don’t know you from Adam (or Eve) and calling them makes it so that you have more information then they have.
Now, when you call them, some ground rules: call them from a quiet, private place. Make sure you have enough time to talk to them. Cover everything that you need covered. Do NOT let them record you. Take notes on what is said. And take your time.