If your insurance company has asked you to give an examination under oath (EUO), you have the right to bring a lawyer. Artur Abramyan of Abramyan Law, P.C. represents California policyholders at EUOs on home, renters, business, fire and auto theft claims. He speaks Russian and Armenian as well as English, so you can prepare in the language you think in.
Call 747-271-8386 or email artur@abramyanlaw.com with your insurer’s name, your claim number and the date of your EUO.
At a glance
- An EUO is sworn questioning by the insurance company’s lawyer, taken down by a court reporter and often videotaped, before the insurer decides your claim.
- California law gives you the right to a lawyer, to record the EUO and to a free copy of the transcript (Insurance Code § 2071.1).
- Skipping the EUO or refusing to answer important questions can cost you the claim.
- Artur Abramyan speaks Russian, Armenian and English.
What is an examination under oath?
An EUO is a formal interview your insurer can require under the policy before it pays a claim. The insurer’s lawyer asks the questions, you answer under oath, and a court reporter records every word. It is not a lawsuit, but your answers become sworn testimony that the insurer uses to decide the claim and that can be used later in court.
California’s standard fire policy requires the insured to submit to examinations under oath as often as reasonably required (Insurance Code § 2071), and most property policies contain the same clause.
Why is my insurer asking for an EUO?
Insurers usually ask for EUOs on large or complicated claims, or when something in the file raises questions: a fire, theft or water loss soon after the policy started, missing receipts, prior claims, financial strain, or statements that do not match. Many EUOs are run by the insurer’s special investigations unit. A request does not mean you are accused of fraud, but it does mean the insurer is building a record, and you should be represented while it does.
Your rights at an EUO in California
Insurance Code § 2071.1 applies to any policy that insures property and has an EUO clause, including homeowners, renters, condo, landlord and business property policies. Under it:
- The insurer must notify you that it will conduct an EUO and send you a copy of § 2071.1.
- Questions must be limited to what is relevant and reasonably necessary to investigate or process the claim.
- The EUO must be on reasonable notice, at a reasonably convenient place, and for a reasonable length of time.
- You may be represented by a lawyer and may record the entire examination.
- On request, you get a free copy of the transcript and any audio or video recording, within 10 business days after the insurer receives it.
- You may make sworn corrections to the transcript.
- You may raise any objection available at a deposition, but leaving an important question unanswered can affect your claim.
What happens if I refuse or miss the EUO?
In most property policies, sitting for the EUO is a condition of coverage. California courts have upheld denials when the insured skipped it, even when the insurer could not show it was harmed by the refusal (Brizuela v. CalFarm Ins. Co. (2004) 116 Cal.App.4th 578). If the date does not work, propose new dates in writing; never ignore the request.
What documents will the insurer ask for?
Insurers usually ask for records like these before the EUO:
- Proof of ownership and value: receipts, photos, appraisals, bank and credit card statements
- Financial records: tax returns, mortgage or lease statements, business books
- Phone records and messages around the date of loss
- Repair estimates, contractor invoices and prior claim history
- For vehicles: purchase and finance papers, keys and service records
A lawyer can narrow requests that go beyond what the claim needs and organize the documents so they do not raise new questions.
How Artur Abramyan helps
- Reviews the EUO letter, the policy and your claim before you agree to a date.
- Prepares you for the questions, in Russian, Armenian or English, and gathers the documents.
- Attends the EUO with you, objects to improper questions and keeps the record complete.
- Reviews the transcript with you and submits sworn corrections.
- Stays with the claim afterward: payment deadlines, partial denials, and bad-faith claims if the insurer delays or denies without good reason.
If you would rather testify in Russian or Armenian, we can ask the insurer to provide a qualified interpreter.
Help in Russian and Armenian
Many people who call us about an EUO are more comfortable in Russian or Armenian. Artur Abramyan speaks both, so you can explain your claim, review documents and prepare for the EUO without a relative translating. We represent clients in Burbank, Glendale, Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, and throughout California.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer for an examination under oath?
The law does not require one, but you have the right to bring one, and the insurer will have its own lawyer there. Representation matters most when the claim is large, the insurer’s fraud unit is involved, or English is not your first language.
Can I record my EUO?
Yes. Under Insurance Code § 2071.1 you may record the entire examination, and you can ask for a free copy of the insurer’s transcript and recording.
Is an EUO the same as a recorded statement?
No. A recorded statement is usually an informal phone interview with an adjuster. An EUO is sworn testimony taken by the insurer’s lawyer before a court reporter, and it carries more weight.
How long does an EUO take?
Most last several hours, and complex claims can take more than one session. The law requires a reasonable length.
Can I give my EUO in Russian or Armenian?
You can ask for a qualified interpreter. Artur Abramyan speaks Russian and Armenian and can prepare you in your language before the EUO.
What if I don’t remember something?
Say so. Guessing creates inconsistencies the insurer can use against you. Your answers are under oath, and false statements on an insurance claim are a crime in California (Penal Code § 550).
What happens after the EUO?
You review the transcript and submit any corrections. The insurer then decides the claim; once it has the proof of claim it needs, California regulations generally give it 40 days to accept or deny (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 10, § 2695.7(b)).
Does Artur Abramyan speak Russian and Armenian?
Yes. Artur Abramyan speaks Russian, Armenian and English and represents Russian- and Armenian-speaking policyholders at examinations under oath throughout California.
About Artur Abramyan
Artur Abramyan is a California attorney (State Bar No. 339813) and the founder of Abramyan Law, P.C. He represents policyholders in insurance coverage and bad-faith disputes and handles personal-injury cases. He speaks Russian, Armenian and English.
Abramyan Law, P.C. · 3400 W. Riverside Drive, Suite 250, Burbank, CA 91505 · 747-271-8386 · artur@abramyanlaw.com
This page is general information about California law, not legal advice for your situation.
