"Is this person from the insurance company, or are they actually independent?" It depends - but usually an independent adjuster is not your adjuster. It is a claims professional hired by an insurance company to investigate a loss, inspect damage, review records, interview people, and recommend how much the insurer should pay. They are called "independent" because they are not a direct employee of that insurer, not because they are neutral or working for you.

After a crash on I-44, a work injury dispute, or a serious wreck on I-70 or US-65, this is often the person who calls, asks for a statement, or wants quick documents. They may sound helpful, and some are professional and fair, but their job is still tied to the insurance company's claim handling. That can affect how fault, injury severity, repair costs, and settlement value are evaluated.

For a Missouri injury claim, that matters because what you say to an adjuster can later be used against you in a liability dispute or settlement negotiation. If the claim is against someone else's insurer, you are generally not required to give a recorded statement right away. Missouri also has a 5-year statute of limitations for many personal injury claims, but waiting too long to get advice can still damage your case.