General information, not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

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Glossary

Recorded statement

An interview, often by phone, that an adjuster records about how the crash happened and how you were hurt.

Last reviewed By the Editorial team 2 min read

General information, not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

Quick answer

A recorded statement is an interview, often by phone, in which an insurance adjuster records your account of how the crash happened and how you were hurt. The recording goes into the claim file, and the insurer may compare it with everything you say later.

In a car accident claim#

Two different insurers may ask for one. Your own insurer can usually require your cooperation under your policy. The California Department of Insurance notes that your insurer may take a written or recorded statement, and sometimes an Examination under oath. Formal questioning of a policyholder by their own insurer, under oath and usually recorded by a court reporter. Many policies allow the insurer to require one before it pays. Glossary.

The other driver's insurer is in a different position, because you have no contract with it. A consumer checklist published by the District of Columbia's insurance regulator puts it plainly: "You are under no obligation to the other insurance company to record a statement about the accident." You still need to give that insurer enough facts and documents to prove a Third-party claim. A claim you make against the other driver's insurance because their driver caused your losses. Glossary.

Early statements matter because the full picture of an injury may not be clear in the first days after a crash. The guide to recorded statements covers what adjusters ask and how people prepare, and working with the adjuster covers the wider relationship.

Example#

Questions people ask

Do you have to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement?

Generally, no: no policy term requires it, because you are not that insurer's customer. Your own insurer is different, since most policies require you to cooperate with its investigation.

Can you get a copy of your recorded statement?

You can ask the adjuster for one. If a lawsuit is filed in federal court, the rules say a party or other person can, on request, get a copy of their own earlier statement about the case, including a recording or a transcript of it. State courts have their own rules.

Sources

  1. California Department of Insurance, So you've had an accident: what's next? — insurers may take written or recorded statements and examinations under oath
  2. District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking, Consumer Federation of America's Guide to Navigating the Auto Claims' Maze (checklist) — as of October 2026
  3. Cornell LII, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 26 — as of October 2026

Last reviewed October 29, 2026 by the Accident Claim Facts editorial team. Found an error? Tell us.

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