What to expect from an insurance adjuster after a New Jersey car accident

Should I give a recorded statement to the other insurance company?

You may, but no New Jersey law sets what you must tell the other driver's insurer. The common advice to never talk to them goes too far.

DOBI says giving enough to support your claim is in your interest, and not cooperating fully could lead to a denial. Before any recording, ask who will hear it, what it covers and whether written answers would do.

Why is my insurance asking for a recorded statement?

Your own policy requires you to cooperate with your insurer's investigation. It can also ask for a proof of loss and, in some cases, an examination under oath with your lawyer present.

Can I refuse a recorded statement to an insurance company?

Refusing your own insurer can breach your policy duties. With the other driver's insurer there is no set list, but DOBI warns that not cooperating fully could also lead to a denial.²

What not to say to a claims adjuster?

The rules differ by insurer: you owe your own company cooperation, while the other driver's company is owed only what supports your claim.

• Your own insurer: do not refuse its questions or paperwork. Its PIP and collision adjusters work under your policy.
• The other driver's insurer: DOBI says its primary obligation is to its policyholder, not to you. Give the facts your claim needs and stop there.

If the adjuster pushes for a quick release or disputes treatment, check the signs you may need an accident lawyer before the next call.

Which crashes bring an injury adjuster into the claim?

About 1 in 4 rear-end and fixed-object crashes adds a PIP and injury file to the car damage claim. Hits on parked cars almost never do.

A fixed-object crash often has no other driver, so only your own insurer calls. Rear-end claims have their own rear-end crash guide, and side impacts the side-impact collision claim page.

Pedestrians follow the pedestrian and cyclist claim rules. For local counts, county hubs such as Bergen County car accident help break crashes down by town and road.

Who pays for medical bills, and which adjuster handles what?

Your own insurer's PIP adjuster pays eligible medical bills, whoever caused the crash. Other adjusters handle your car, the other driver's share and uninsured drivers.

Medical bills above or outside your PIP limit can be claimed against the at-fault driver; amounts PIP will pay cannot. No-fault is not the same as not at fault: see what no-fault means in New Jersey.³

How does the adjuster decide who was at fault?

The adjuster sets a fault percentage from the police report, driver and witness statements, the traffic laws and the road layout.

Here the usual advice is wrong: a ticket for the other driver does not make them automatically 100% at fault. Your share cuts what you get, rental costs included; see what you get at 10, 50 or 80 percent fault.

When the two stories differ and nothing else persuades, DOBI warns the insurer will side with its own policyholder. That is why evidence that proves fault matters before the adjuster decides.⁴

How long does an insurer have to accept or reject a claim?

On car damage, your own insurer has 30 calendar days from notice to settle and the other driver's insurer 45, unless it tells you in writing why it needs longer.

These DOBI limits cover vehicle damage only, not injury claims. Contact, inspection and storage deadlines are in the DOBI deadlines for car damage claims.⁵

How do you deal with an insurance adjuster who says no?

Use the insurer's internal appeal, then ask the state's claims Ombudsman to review it. A PIP medical denial goes to arbitration instead. Every route, from arbitration to a lawsuit, is in what to do when a claim is denied.

1. File the internal appeal. Every New Jersey auto insurer must have an Internal Appeal Process and tell you where to send it.
2. Ask the DOBI Insurance Claims Ombudsman to review it by phone at 1-800-446-7467 or by email at ombudsman@dobi.nj.gov.
3. For a PIP denial, file with Forthright: $200 on the papers, $225 for an in-person hearing. The full route is in our PIP arbitration guide.

None of these steps takes away your right to sue. Court rulings on PIP arbitration sit in the New Jersey appeals case index.

If the first offer looks low, work through the questions to ask before accepting a settlement offer and compare New Jersey appeals settlement figures.⁶

Can someone sue you personally after a car accident in NJ?

Yes, and your liability insurer's adjuster handles that claim and your defense up to your limits, but a Basic Policy without liability coverage means no defense.

The 2026 limits are on the New Jersey minimum liability limits page, and suit and public-entity deadlines on the New Jersey accident deadlines page.⁷