What are insurance companies not allowed to ask you?

Asked by: Dustin Greenholt  |  Last update: December 21, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (26 votes)

If you're applying for health insurance, pregnancy status or plans to have children shouldn't come into the conversation. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition, and insurers cannot deny coverage or charge higher premiums due to it.

What should I not tell my insurance company?

The insurance adjuster doesn't need to hear your entire life story. Sharing personal anecdotes or irrelevant experiences might even hurt your claim. Stick to the facts and avoid extra details about your family, job history, prior injuries, or unrelated accidents.

What triggers an insurance investigation?

Inconsistencies and delayed claims can trigger alarm bells, leading the insurance company to closely scrutinize the legitimacy of your case. The duration of your recovery is not only critical for calculating the compensation but also for evaluating the credibility of your claim.

What do insurance companies fear the most?

It's simple: Insurance companies' legal teams hate having to go before juries. Naturally, it's up to juries to apply the law in a fair and even-handed manner. However, it never helps insurance companies to be seen as the villains who are trying to get one over on people in genuine need.

What information can insurance companies ask for?

To provide you with an auto insurance quote, the agent will likely also ask for the following:
  • Personal information. This may include the dates of birth, Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers for each family member who will be on the policy.
  • Driving history. ...
  • More background.

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What data do insurance companies have access to?

Here are seven of the most important customer data types in insurance:
  • Personal information. This includes a wide range of data points and is usually collected when a customer first applies for coverage. ...
  • Policy information. ...
  • Claims history. ...
  • Payment history. ...
  • Interaction history. ...
  • Signatures. ...
  • Agent information. ...
  • Attachments.

What questions do insurance investigators ask?

What to Expect from Insurance Adjusters After a Car Accident
  • Questions About the Involved Vehicles. ...
  • Questions About How the Car Accident Happened. ...
  • Questions About Shared Liability. ...
  • Questions About Vehicle Damages. ...
  • Questions About Your Injuries. ...
  • Insurance Tactics Used to Reduce Your Car Accident Insurance Payout.

Who is the most trusted insurance company?

Best car insurance companies
  • Best for customer satisfaction: Erie Insurance.
  • Best for seniors: Nationwide.
  • Best for liability insurance: Auto-Owners.
  • Best for claims filing : State Farm.
  • Best for bundling: American Family.
  • Best for accident forgiveness: Progressive.
  • Best for military members and veterans: USAA.

What reduces the amount paid in a claims settlement?

Contributory Negligence: Insurers may try to shift blame onto you to reduce or eliminate their payout. Threatening Litigation: Some insurers use the threat of a lengthy legal battle to pressure claimants into accepting lower settlements.

Should you be honest with insurance company?

Providing accurate information is key to a fair and equitable claims processing. When policyholders are honest with their insurance companies, it builds trust and strengthens the relationship between the two parties. Dishonesty can undermine the entire insurance system and lead to higher premiums for everyone.

What is the first thing an insurer must investigate before taking on a claim?

Insurance companies must search for and consider evidence that supports coverage for the claim. Thus, insurance companies cannot close their eyes to evidence that supports coverage and focus solely on the evidence that denies coverage. Too narrow a focus of investigation?

How long does it take for an insurance adjuster to make a decision?

Typically, insurance companies have 15 days to acknowledge receipt of the claim you submit. That does not mean they have to decide within that time frame. They then have 15 days to investigate the claim. They have 40 days to settle the claim from start to finish.

What triggers an insurance audit?

Discrepancies or inconsistencies in the information reported to your insurance provider, such as discrepancies between payroll records and reported wages, can trigger an audit. Inaccurate or incomplete data raises red flags and may prompt further scrutiny from auditors.

What not to tell a claims adjuster?

Some key phrases to avoid saying to an insurance adjuster include: “I'm sorry.” “It was all/partly my fault.” “I did not see the other person/driver.”

Why do insurance companies deny everything?

Insurance companies deny claims for many reasons, such as insufficient evidence, missed deadlines, or policy exclusions.

Can you argue with your insurance company?

You can ask that your insurance company reconsider its decision. Insurers have to tell you why they've denied your claim or ended your coverage. And they have to let you know how you can dispute their decisions.

How to argue with an insurance adjuster?

Negotiate Respectfully But Firmly

If an adjuster offers less than you believe is fair, don't be afraid to push back. Voice your disagreement calmly and respectfully. Explain your reasoning and provide evidence to justify asking for a higher settlement. Make a reasonable counteroffer based on your documentation.

How to get more money out of an insurance claim?

Steps to Argue for More Money on Your Total Loss Claim
  1. Ask for the Valuation Report.
  2. Research the Comparables on the Valuation Report.
  3. Dispute Any Condition Adjustments on the Comparables.
  4. Send Your Own Comparables to the Adjuster.
  5. Consider Hiring an Appraiser.

How do I increase my settlement offer?

Send a Detailed Demand Letter to the Insurance Company

Not only will this help the entire filing process easier, but it will help increase your odds of getting a higher settlement offer.

Who is cheaper, Geico or Progressive?

GEICO is cheaper and has better ratings than Progressive. Your experience with GEICO and Progressive will vary based on individual rating factors.

What insurance company has the most complaints?

The auto insurance company with the most complaints is United Automobile Insurance, which receives roughly 40 times more complaints than the average insurer its size, according to the latest NAIC complaint index.

Who typically has the cheapest car insurance?

Geico, Nationwide and Travelers are among the least expensive for car insurance. Americans are paying a lot for car insurance these days: Average annual rates for a full coverage policy are up to $2,638 per year, while minimum coverage averages $767 per year.

What will an insurance adjuster ask you?

If you're wondering how to talk to an insurance claims adjuster, understand they want to know basic information about the accident. They'll ask you to share details including what happened, where it happened, the types of vehicles involved, and perhaps the other driver's identity.

Can you cancel a claim under investigation?

Before any payments are made, you can cancel a car insurance claim under investigation. Different reasons can lead you to this.

Are insurance investigations discoverable?

Consequently, documents prepared in the ordinary course of an insurance company's investigation to determine whether to accept or reject coverage and to evaluate the extent of a claimant's loss are not privileged, and, therefore, discoverable.