Top 5 Things You Shouldn’t Say to an Insurance Company in Utah

After a car accident in Utah, you may feel overwhelmed, confused, or pressured to say “the right thing.” Insurance adjusters know this, and they often rely on it. Their job is simple: pay you as little as possible, or nothing at all. Your job is even simpler: protect your rights and avoid saying anything that could weaken your claim.

Every day, people unintentionally damage their Utah car accident cases by saying just one wrong sentence. An apology. A quick assumption. A guess about injuries. A recorded statement they didn’t realize would later be used against them. Under Utah’s comparative negligence rules and strict insurance structures, those small mistakes can cost you thousands.

In this guide, we break down the Top 5 Things You Shouldn’t Say to an Insurance Company in Utah, explain how Utah law applies, and show you how to protect yourself when adjusters start calling.

If you need help right now, contact our team at London Harker for experienced and strategic legal support. Visit our Sandy, Utah Car Accident Lawyer page for more information.

Why What You Say Matters Under Utah Law

Utah is a no-fault insurance state, meaning most drivers turn first to their own personal injury protection (PIP) benefits after a collision. Under Utah Code § 31A-22-306, PIP covers a baseline amount of medical expenses, regardless of fault.

But once a claim crosses certain thresholds—such as $3,000 in medical expenses or specific types of injuries—you may pursue a liability claim against the at-fault driver under Utah’s negligence standards (Utah Code § 78B-5-818, comparative fault). And that’s where your words matter deeply.

Insurance companies will record what you say, pick it apart, and use it to reduce your compensation. Utah’s comparative fault laws allow them to reduce what you receive based on your percentage of fault. One small comment—like “I didn’t see them”—can be twisted into a fault admission.

That is why you must know what not to say after a Utah car accident.

1. “I’m Sorry” or Anything That Sounds Like an Apology

Utah insurance adjusters often listen for apologetic language because they may claim it indicates fault. Even if you are just being polite, they may use it to suggest that you caused or contributed to the crash.

Under Utah’s comparative negligence statute (Utah Code § 78B-5-818), any percentage of fault assigned to you reduces your compensation. If the adjuster can argue you were 20% at fault based on something you said, your payout will be reduced by that amount.

Safe alternative: Provide only factual, neutral statements:

• “I prefer to speak after I’ve reviewed everything.”
• “I need more information before making any statements.”
• “My attorney will contact you.”

You are not required to apologize and should not offer emotional or assumptive statements.

2. “I’m Not Hurt” or “I Feel Fine”

This is one of the most damaging statements a person can make after a crash. In Utah, many injuries take hours, days, or even weeks to appear—especially soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and spine injuries. Saying “I’m not hurt” gives the insurance company immediate ammunition to deny your injury claim later.

Utah’s PIP insurance requires medical treatment and documented injury to open the door to additional claims beyond your own PIP. If you prematurely claim you’re “fine,” the adjuster may later argue that the lack of early symptoms proves you weren’t seriously injured.

Safe alternative:

Say: “I will seek medical evaluation and follow my doctor’s advice.”

Then do exactly that. If you need guidance, you can learn more about symptoms that appear later by reviewing articles like Delayed Injuries After a Utah Car Accident.

3. “Sure, I’ll Give a Recorded Statement”

Insurance companies often push hard for a recorded statement within 24 hours after the crash. They may even say it is “required” or that your claim will be delayed without one. This is not true.

In Utah, you are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance. Adjusters use recordings to:

• catch inconsistencies before you’ve seen the police report
• compare your statement to later medical findings
• push you into admitting partial fault
• lock you into incomplete information

Once your words are recorded, they are preserved—and the adjuster can replay them repeatedly to reduce or deny your claim.

Safe alternative:

Say: “I am not comfortable providing a recorded statement. My attorney will contact you.”

If you don’t have one yet, visit our Sandy Car Accident Lawyer page to learn how we protect clients from predatory insurance tactics.

4. “It Was My Fault” or Any Version of Assigning Blame

Insurance companies know that liability in Utah depends on facts—not feelings. Even if you believe you were partially at fault, you should never state it to an adjuster. Investigations often reveal factors you weren’t aware of at the time, including:

• the other driver speeding
• phone use or distracted driving
• violations of Utah traffic laws
• defective brakes or equipment
• improper lane changes

Once you say “I think it was my fault,” the insurance company will anchor your entire claim around that single statement. Under comparative fault, even 10% fault assigned to you reduces any settlement by 10%.

Safe alternative:

Provide no opinions and only give basic facts requested by your own insurance (not the at-fault driver’s insurer). And know that Utah law does not require you to speculate or guess.

For more insight on how fault is determined in Utah, you can reference our article on Determining Fault in Sandy Car Accidents.

5. “I Don’t Have an Attorney” (or Letting Them Think You Don’t Plan to Get One)

The moment an adjuster believes you do not have a lawyer—or don’t plan to get one—they immediately shift into a lower settlement posture. Why? Because represented injury victims consistently recover more compensation.

Insurance companies know Utah residents often:

• don’t know how to calculate future medical damages
• don’t know what their pain and suffering is worth
• don’t know how to dispute a low offer
• don’t understand the statute of limitations

Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, most car accident claims have a four-year statute of limitations—unless insurance negotiations shorten the practical deadline. When adjusters believe you are unaware of these timelines, they often delay, stall, or rush you into accepting an unfair settlement.

Safe alternative:

Say: “I am exploring my legal options. I will have my attorney contact you.”

Even if you have not hired one yet, this signals that you are informed and cautious—not a quick settlement target.

Bonus: Never Say Anything About Your Medical Condition Without Documentation

Sometimes adjusters ask questions like:

• “How are you feeling today?”
• “Has the pain improved?”
• “Are you able to go back to work yet?”

This is not small talk—these are strategically crafted questions designed to minimize your claim.

Always stick to this rule: Your medical condition is determined by doctors, not phone conversations.

And if you need guidance on navigating medical treatment after a crash, read our resource: Utah Car Accident Medical Treatment Guide.

Why Insurance Companies Ask These Questions

Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. In Utah, they know exactly how to use your words to argue:

• you were partially at fault
• your injuries are exaggerated
• your medical care was unnecessary
• your pain improved quickly
• your claim is worth less than stated

It is not personal—this is their business model. But you do not have to play into their strategy. Utah law gives you rights, and you can protect them by controlling what you say.

What You Should Say to an Insurance Company in Utah

While you must avoid certain statements, here are safe responses to use:

• “I am not prepared to discuss details at this time.”
• “Please direct all questions to my attorney.”
• “I will provide documentation once it is available.”
• “I decline to give a recorded statement.”

Saying less protects you more.

When to Call a Utah Car Accident Attorney

You should contact an attorney immediately if:

• the insurance company contacts you within 24 hours
• you are asked for a recorded statement
• fault is unclear or disputed
• your injuries worsen over time
• the adjuster pressures you to settle quickly

Even early mistakes can significantly reduce your compensation. Getting legal guidance early prevents avoidable errors and ensures your rights are protected from day one.

To learn how we help Utah accident victims, visit our Sandy Car Accident Lawyer page.

Final Thoughts

What you say after a Utah car accident can determine the entire outcome of your claim. Insurance companies have teams of professionals trained to reduce payouts—and they rely heavily on statements accident victims make early on.

By avoiding the five most damaging statements and understanding your rights under Utah law, you place yourself in the strongest possible position. And when you have experienced attorneys protecting you, the insurance company knows they can’t take advantage of you.

If you’ve been injured in a Utah car accident, contact our team today. We are here to help you navigate insurance, fault, medical bills, and every part of your recovery.