Short Answer

In North Carolina, it is usually not “safe” to give a detailed or recorded statement to an insurance adjuster without preparation, even if the caller is from your own insurance company. Your own policy may require you to cooperate with a reasonable investigation, but you can still protect yourself by confirming who is calling, limiting what you say, and asking to schedule the statement after you have reviewed the facts (or after your attorney is involved). If you may be using first-party benefits (like medical payments coverage), you generally want to cooperate—but carefully and on your terms.

Understanding the Problem

If you were in a North Carolina car accident several months ago and your own insurance representative calls asking for a statement, the practical question is: can you safely talk to them about what happened without accidentally hurting your injury claim or your ability to use benefits under your own policy?

Apply the Law

North Carolina auto claims often involve two tracks at the same time: (1) a liability claim against the at-fault driver (or their insurer), and (2) a claim under your own policy for certain benefits. Your insurer is allowed to investigate, and many policies require the insured to cooperate with reasonable requests. But an adjuster’s questions are also designed to lock in your story early, and statements can be used later to dispute fault, the seriousness of injuries, or the need for treatment.

Also, if uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage becomes part of the case, North Carolina law builds in specific notice and timing rules in certain situations. That makes it even more important not to casually say things that could complicate coverage or the later claim process.

Key Requirements

• Confirm who the adjuster represents: Your own insurer’s adjuster is not the other driver’s adjuster, and the goals can differ depending on whether the call is about your first-party benefits, your liability exposure, or both.
• Cooperate, but don’t guess: Cooperation usually means providing basic facts and documents when reasonably requested—not speculating about speed, distances, or fault if you are unsure.
• Protect coverage-related rights: Some coverages (like uninsured/underinsured motorist) can involve notice requirements and timing rules that you do not want to accidentally violate by delay or by signing the wrong paperwork.
• Avoid broad authorizations: Adjusters may ask for recorded statements and medical authorizations; you can ask what is needed, why it is needed, and limit the scope to what is relevant.
• Be careful with “I’m fine” and similar phrases: Early statements about feeling okay can be used later to argue your injuries were minor or unrelated, even when symptoms developed later.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-279.21 (Motor vehicle liability policy; UM/UIM framework) - Sets key rules for required auto coverages and includes notice/timing provisions that can matter in UM/UIM claims.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-540.2 (Property damage settlement not an admission; release must be explicit) - Clarifies that settling property damage alone is not automatically a settlement of injury claims unless the written agreement clearly says so.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-540.3 (Advance payments) - Allows advance/partial payments without admitting liability and addresses how they may be credited later.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Here, the call is from your own insurance representative, and it is happening months after the crash. Because you may have a medical payments-type benefit under your own policy, you likely do want to cooperate so the insurer can evaluate and pay covered medical bills—but you should still treat the statement as important. A casual or overly broad statement can create disputes about fault, timing of symptoms, or whether treatment is related, which can affect both first-party benefits and any injury claim against the other driver.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: You (the insured) opens or updates the claim. Where: With your auto insurance company’s claims department (not a court). What: Ask the adjuster to identify the claim number, what coverage they are investigating (for example, medical payments), and whether they are requesting a recorded statement. When: Schedule the call for a time when you can review the crash report, photos, and your treatment timeline first.
2. Give a controlled statement: Stick to what you personally know (what you saw, heard, and did). If you do not know an answer, say so. Do not estimate speeds or distances unless you are confident.
3. Follow up in writing: After the call, send a short written confirmation of any key corrections (for example, if you later realize you mixed up a street name) and keep copies of everything you submit.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Recorded statements are not “just routine”: A recorded statement can be replayed and picked apart later. If you are not ready, it is reasonable to ask to reschedule.
• Mixing up property damage and injury claims: Even though North Carolina law says a property-damage-only settlement is not automatically an injury settlement, people still get tripped up by signing paperwork that releases more than they intended.
• Over-sharing medical history: Broad medical authorizations can lead to irrelevant records being reviewed and used to argue your problems were “pre-existing.” Ask for a narrower request tied to the crash injuries and dates.
• Fault admissions and North Carolina’s strict negligence rules: Seemingly small admissions ("I didn’t see them") can be framed as you being at fault. Keep your answers factual and avoid conclusions.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, it is usually not a good idea to give an on-the-spot or recorded statement to an insurance adjuster without preparation, even when the call is from your own insurer. Your policy may require reasonable cooperation, especially if you are seeking first-party benefits like medical payments coverage, but you can still protect yourself by confirming the purpose of the call and scheduling the statement after you review the facts. Next step: ask the adjuster to put the request in writing and set a time to give a statement after you have gathered your crash and treatment information.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with an insurance adjuster call after a North Carolina car accident and you are unsure whether to give a statement (or how it could affect your claim and your own policy benefits), our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Reach out today. Call [CONTACT NUMBER].

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.