How to Deal with Difficult Adjusters
(When Insurance Companies Aren’t Playing Fair)

Peachtree Injury Talk with Jordan Jewkes

Podcast Attorney: Jordan M. Jewkes

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How to Deal with Difficult Adjusters (When Insurance Companies Aren’t Playing Fair)

In this episode of Peachtree Injury Talk, attorney Jordan Jewkes reveals the truth behind how insurance adjusters try to deny, delay, and devalue legitimate injury claims. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts—and they’re often rewarded for doing so. Jordan explains how they manipulate claims, push early settlements, and mislead injury victims. He warns against speaking to adjusters about injuries, highlights the risks of handling a claim without legal help, and stresses the importance of hiring a firm with a reputation for fighting back. If you’re hurt in an accident, stay cautious, don’t accept early money, and get legal advice before signing anything.

00:00 Narrator: Welcome to Peachtree Injury Talk with attorney Jordan Jewkes.
00:05 Kevin Rosenquist: Welcome to Peachtree Injury Talk with attorney Jordan Jewkes. Jordan strives to give injured victims a voice and provide strong advocacy against an often broken system. I’m your host, Kevin Rosenquist, and today we’re going to talk about how to deal with difficult adjusters and what to do when these insurance companies aren’t playing fair. Jordan, good to see you.
00:27 Jordan Jewkes: Yeah, hey, thanks, Kevin. Good to see you too.
00:29 Kevin Rosenquist: You ready to rail against some insurance companies?
00:31 Jordan Jewkes: Always, man. That’s what I do. That’s what I love. That’s my favorite thing to do.
00:37 Kevin Rosenquist: What are some of the most common tactics you’ve seen insurance adjusters use to delay or deny a valid claim?
00:45 Jordan Jewkes: Yeah, I mean, look—years ago, adjusters used to try and fairly evaluate claims. Now it feels like they're just looking for any way to minimize or deny your claim. They’ll do all sorts of things: - Outright deny your claim. - Try to blame you for the wreck. - Say your injuries weren’t caused by the wreck, that they were pre-existing or made up. They’ll claim you had these injuries long before the accident and that the crash was just a “tap.” So, give adjusters credit—they’re very creative when it comes to minimizing payouts. And that’s exactly what they’re paid to do.
01:55 Kevin Rosenquist: What’s their incentive? Are they actually rewarded for reducing claim payouts?
01:59 Jordan Jewkes: Short answer: yes. Every insurance company is a little different, but generally, adjusters are incentivized to settle claims quickly and under something called the reserve. When a claim is opened, the adjuster sets a reserve—basically, a budget or estimate of what they might pay on the claim. If they settle the case for less than that reserve and close it quickly, many companies bonus or reward them. So yes, they’re motivated to close fast and cheap.
03:16 Kevin Rosenquist: That makes sense. So what can people do to protect themselves from being pressured into a lowball settlement or admitting fault?
03:25 Jordan Jewkes: First, stay calm. Second, be wary of early offers. It’s extremely common for someone to get in a wreck and the next day be offered $500 or $1,000, maybe $1,500. Why? Because insurance companies know many people don’t realize how injured they really are until days or even weeks later. And if they catch you early—before symptoms worsen—they might get away with settling your claim for pennies. It’s shady, no doubt. So: don’t accept any settlement until you’ve gotten proper medical care and have a clear understanding of your injuries.
04:49 Kevin Rosenquist: It does seem shady—basically throwing money at people to make them go away, even if they’re seriously injured.
05:04 Jordan Jewkes: Right. And once you sign that release and cash that check, it’s very hard—almost impossible—to undo. We’ve had people call us weeks later saying, “I thought I was fine, but now I need surgery,” and unfortunately, they’re stuck. That’s why I’d love to see the legislature allow people to rescind those agreements within 30 or 60 days. But right now, once it’s signed, it’s done.
06:40 Kevin Rosenquist: What if someone just doesn’t want to talk to the adjuster? Do they have to?
06:45 Jordan Jewkes: No, there’s no law saying you have to speak with an adjuster. Once you hire an attorney, we tell clients not to speak with the adjuster—especially about injuries. We usually allow them to speak about vehicle damage, since they know more about their car than we do, but anything related to injuries needs to go through us. And if an adjuster tries to get around that, it’s unethical—and they know it.
07:51 Kevin Rosenquist: But they will try to sneak in those questions, right?
08:04 Jordan Jewkes: Oh, absolutely. That’s why we advise clients to say this, word for word: “I’ve hired an attorney. My attorney has advised me not to speak with you about my injuries. I can discuss my vehicle, but nothing more.” That usually shuts down any probing.
08:55 Kevin Rosenquist: Let’s talk about people who try to handle their claim without an attorney. What are the biggest pitfalls?
09:09 Jordan Jewkes: The biggest one is underestimating what you’re up against. Insurance companies have tons of data—decades of it. They’ve seen your exact situation thousands of times. They know what a good, bad, and great settlement looks like. And they will absolutely try to convince you that your case is worth far less than it really is. They also have the resources—lawyers, investigators, software, everything—to back that up. They sound friendly. They build rapport. But behind that warm voice is a team pushing for you to settle cheap.
10:42 Kevin Rosenquist: Right, especially guys—we’re notorious for saying, “It’s not that bad,” until we realize it is that bad.
11:08 Jordan Jewkes: Exactly. I’ve had clients say they were fine early on, then a year later they’ve had a neck surgery. And that early comment? Used against them in court. That’s why it’s dangerous to go it alone.
11:35 Kevin Rosenquist: And all those commercials—“We’re on your side,” “You’re in good hands”—just part of the act?
11:52 Jordan Jewkes: It’s marketing. Some of the most heavily advertised companies are the worst to deal with. They spend hundreds of millions on ads but won’t pay fair value for your claim. It’s all about creating an image.
13:05 Kevin Rosenquist: What about aggressive adjusters—those who get pushy or even hostile?
13:14 Jordan Jewkes: Great question. Our advice is: don’t escalate things without purpose. Stay professional, stay calm, and mirror their tone without stooping to it. Often, aggressive adjusters are either inexperienced or covering up for a lack of knowledge. Our goal is always to be firm but professional. We’re going to see these people again, especially in a local market like ours. So, we stay confident, focus on facts, and we’re never afraid to file suit if we need to.
16:00 Kevin Rosenquist: So it’s more about building a long-term reputation than going scorched-earth.
16:16 Jordan Jewkes: Exactly. When insurance companies know you’re confident and willing to try a case if necessary, they treat your claims more seriously. But if your lawyer has a reputation for settling everything cheap and fast, they’ll get steamrolled. That’s a red flag.
19:15 Kevin Rosenquist: So, if someone gets that bad feeling—that things aren’t quite right—it’s time to talk to an attorney.
19:23 Jordan Jewkes: Absolutely. At least have a consultation. Especially if the injuries are serious, it’s critical to get a professional involved. Insurance companies are playing chess—you don’t want to show up with checkers.
19:31 Kevin Rosenquist: That’s a great way to put it. Jordan, thank you again. This has been super helpful.
19:37 Jordan Jewkes: Thank you, Kevin. Appreciate it.
19:43 Kevin Rosenquist: To connect with Jordan and his team, visit jewkesfirm.com (https://jewkesfirm.com). Don’t forget to like and subscribe—we’ve got more great content coming soon. Thanks for watching Peachtree Injury Talk.
19:57 Narrator: Thanks for watching. Be sure to hit that like and subscribe button and leave us a review in the comments.

Podcast Topics

  • What Does a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Do?
  • What is Workers’ Compensation?
  • What is the State Board of Workers’ Compensation?
  • Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Near Me

Summary

How to Deal with Difficult Adjusters (When Insurance Companies Aren’t Playing Fair) breaks down the challenges faced by individuals dealing with insurance companies after an injury. Jordan, who specializes in advocating for injured victims, offers insights into the tactics often used by insurance adjusters to minimize or deny legitimate claims.

The discussion begins with Jordan explaining that in the past, insurance adjusters would work to fairly evaluate claims, but now their primary focus has shifted to finding ways to minimize payouts. He describes common tactics that adjusters use to either delay or outright deny claims, such as blaming the victim for the accident, asserting that injuries were pre-existing, or downplaying the severity of the crash. These practices, Jordan notes, are part of an overarching strategy by insurance companies to save money by reducing the value of claims.

Kevin then asks about the incentives adjusters have to minimize payouts, and Jordan reveals that adjusters are often rewarded for settling claims quickly and cheaply. When a claim is opened, an adjuster sets a “reserve,” which is an estimated budget for the claim. If the adjuster is able to settle for less than this reserve, they may receive a bonus. This creates a financial incentive to close claims quickly and at the lowest possible amount.

Next, Kevin seeks advice for individuals trying to avoid being pressured into lowball settlements. Jordan advises people to remain calm and cautious when they are offered an initial settlement, often a small amount, immediately after an accident. These early offers are intended to capitalize on a victim’s uncertainty about the full extent of their injuries, which may not become apparent until days or weeks after the accident. He warns against accepting any settlement before receiving proper medical treatment and understanding the full scope of one’s injuries. Once a settlement is accepted and the release is signed, it’s very difficult to undo the agreement, even if further medical issues arise later.

Jordan further explains that individuals are not legally required to speak with an insurance adjuster once they’ve hired an attorney. His firm advises clients not to discuss injuries with adjusters, as it can lead to the adjuster using statements against them in the future. Instead, clients are instructed to politely refer adjusters to their attorney if any questions about injuries arise.

The conversation then shifts to the dangers of trying to handle a claim without an attorney. Jordan emphasizes that insurance companies are highly experienced, with access to vast resources, data, and legal support. They will attempt to convince individuals that their case is worth less than it truly is, often exploiting the victim’s lack of experience with the process. He also notes that people, particularly men, tend to downplay their injuries initially, which can later be used against them in court.

As the discussion progresses, Kevin mentions the ubiquitous insurance commercials that promise friendly and helpful service, to which Jordan responds that these ads are merely marketing ploys. In reality, these companies often provide subpar settlements to their clients, despite their reassuring advertisements.

Jordan also addresses how to deal with aggressive adjusters who become hostile during the claims process. His advice is to remain calm and professional, mirroring the adjuster’s tone without escalating the situation. Being firm yet respectful helps to establish credibility and ensures that the claim is treated seriously.

Finally, Jordan advises anyone who feels uncomfortable or unsure about their claim to consult with an attorney. This ensures that they don’t go into the process unprepared and gives them the legal expertise needed to navigate the complex world of insurance claims.

Throughout the interview, the focus is on empowering injured individuals to be aware of the tactics used by insurance companies and to seek professional legal help when necessary to ensure they receive fair compensation for their injuries.

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This show is designed to deliver general information regarding the law. Our guests will not provide tailored legal advice. If you have a personal issue and need legal support, get in touch with us for a free consultation with a Jewkes Firm attorney.

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Welcome to Peachtree Injury Talk—your essential podcast for navigating the often bewildering landscape of personal injury law.

Jordan Jewkes shares real-life cases, common pitfalls to avoid, and tips on securing the compensation you deserve.

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