# Examination under oath

> An examination under oath is sworn questioning of a policyholder by their own insurer. When it can be required and how it differs from a deposition.

Canonical page: https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/examination-under-oath/  
Last reviewed: October 29, 2026 by the Accident Claim Facts editorial team  
General information, not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

## Quick answer

An examination under oath (EUO) is formal questioning of a policyholder by their own insurance company. The person answers under oath, usually with a court reporter recording every word, and the questions are often asked by a lawyer for the insurer. Many policies let the insurer require one before it pays a claim.

## In a car accident claim

EUOs come up on claims under your own policy, such as personal injury protection, collision or uninsured motorist coverage. They go further than a recorded statement, and insurers tend to ask for one when they want more detail. The California Department of Insurance tells consumers that an examination under oath can sometimes be requested.

The right to an EUO usually comes from the policy's cooperation clause, and state law can make it a condition of payment. In Florida, for example, submitting to an examination under oath is a condition of receiving PIP benefits. An EUO is not a deposition: no lawsuit is needed, and only your own insurer can require one under your policy. The other driver's insurer has no such right. Our guides to the [recorded statement](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/claim-process/recorded-statement/) and the [insurance adjuster](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/claim-process/insurance-adjuster/) compare the kinds of statements insurers ask for.

## Example

> **Example:** After a driver files an uninsured motorist claim, the driver's own insurer sends a letter scheduling an examination under oath. At the session, the insurer's lawyer asks about the crash, the injuries, earlier claims and medical history, and a court reporter records the answers under oath.

## Related terms

- [Cooperation clause](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/cooperation-clause/)
- [Recorded statement](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/recorded-statement/)
- [Deposition](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/deposition/)
- [Personal injury protection](https://accidentclaimfacts.com/glossary/personal-injury-protection/)

## FAQ

### Is an examination under oath the same as a deposition?

They look similar, since both involve sworn answers and a court reporter. But a deposition is part of a lawsuit, while an EUO comes from your insurance contract and can happen with no lawsuit at all.

### Can I refuse an examination under oath?

If your policy requires one, refusing can put the claim at risk, because the insurer may say you broke the policy terms. In Florida, sitting for one is a condition of receiving PIP benefits.

## Sources

- [California Department of Insurance, So you've had an accident: what's next?](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/01-auto/hadaccident.cfm) — statements and examinations under oath
- [Florida Legislature, Florida Statutes § 627.736](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/627.736) — examinations under oath as a condition of PIP benefits