When you experience a property loss, it is important to know what your insurance policy covers and how to file a claim. However, navigating the insurance claims process can be complicated and time consuming. That’s where a public adjuster comes in. Public adjusters are professionals who work on behalf of homeowners and business owners to help them get the most from their insurance policies after a disaster. If you’re considering hiring a public adjuster, here’s what you need to know.
1. What is a public adjuster?
A public adjuster, sometimes called an insurance claims consultant or an independent insurance agent, is someone who works on your behalf to negotiate the terms of your insurance settlement. They help you choose the right policy and understand what it covers. Once you have filed a claim for a property loss covered by your insurance company, they work with the insurer and handle all communication between you and the insurer. Throughout this process, they know exactly how much money the insurer owes you and will fight hard to get that amount as quickly as possible. This saves time and prevents frustration on your end because instead of having to reach out to numerous people at your insurance company, everything comes from one place – from them.
2. How do I know if I need a public adjuster?
A public adjuster can be helpful for anyone who has experienced substantial property damage due to fire, storm, flood or other covered loss. They are particularly helpful for properly documenting complex damages and helping you negotiate more effectively with your insurance company. If your policy includes specific coverages like business interruption or extra living expenses, it is important to hire an adjuster to make sure those benefits are fully recognized in the settlement. Even if you have a trustworthy relationship with your insurance agent, there’s no harm in hiring a public adjuster as well – they’ll build even stronger trust together by working as partners on your behalf. In this way, a public adjuster can be especially helpful both before and after a loss when you have a lot to absorb and manage.
3. How do I hire a public adjuster?
If you decide that hiring a public adjuster is right for your situation, it’s important to find one you feel comfortable with and who understands the challenges of your property type. Public adjusters work on both residential and commercial properties, so they can help protect just about any building in any state against a variety of perils. They typically serve clients in disaster-prone regions all over the country where hurricane damage is common. Find an experienced, certified public adjuster. When interviewing potential candidates, ask them how many claims they’ve handled and what percentage of their work is dedicated to property insurance (rather than casualty or workers compensation, for example). You should also ask to see their insurance adjuster license and verify that they are properly registered in your state. Getting help with the claims process can save you time and money, so find the best public adjuster possible to give you an edge against your insurance company.
4. What does a typical claim look like with a public adjuster?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to managing an insurance claim without a public adjuster because every situation is different. However, there are some general guidelines for how it might go: First, your public adjuster would create reasonable expectations about what you could expect from the cost of repairs versus replacement (if that’s applicable) and negotiate accordingly. Then, your public adjuster would gather all the documentation about potential losses required by your insurance company and submit it. Lastly, your public adjuster would work with you and your insurer to address any coverage issues until everything is resolved and you get the settlement that’s fair.
Public adjusters can help homeowners understand their policies and what they cover in the case of a disaster situation. Then, they negotiate directly with the insurer on behalf of their clients for a more efficient claims process. If you want an experienced public adjuster to help, make sure you get full value from your home insurance policy, contact one today for assistance during this challenging time.
5. What do I need to know about hiring a public adjuster?
Insurance companies typically offer a very low initial settlement to catastrophically-damaged homes, and if you don’t have a strong case for negotiating a better deal, the insurance company’s terms may be your only option. That’s where a public adjuster can help. They act as an expert negotiator on behalf of their clients in order to get the best deals for their customers by maximizing benefits like extra living expenses (temporary housing costs), business disruption coverage and additional living expenses, when applicable. If there are damages that aren’t covered in your policy or anything you think should be included in the final agreement, they know how to present it so that it will factor into the final total payout amount.
A reputable public adjuster will work with you before, during and after the insurance claim process to make sure you understand your rights, keep track of receipts for all expenses associated with the claim (temporary housing, alternate transportation, etc.) and help facilitate an efficient claims settlement. Hiring a public adjuster can be especially helpful when facing high costs, multiple parties involved or complicated legal issues that require someone who knows how to navigate the system well.
After a loss, it’s common to feel overwhelmed by all that needs to be done. This is why so many property owners choose public adjusters as partners on their behalf. Not only can they handle paperwork, negotiations and other details involved in processing a claim, but they know what documentation is necessary to present reasonable expectations about what could be covered by an insurance policy and how to get those items taken into account when the settlement amount is determined.
If you’re interested in hiring a public adjuster for your claim, read online reviews or ask friends and family members about their experiences with professionals they’ve worked with before making a decision. A good public adjuster will make sure you understand the process, keep you updated on negotiations and provide documentation as needed during the entire claims process. They also work diligently to help rebuild communities affected by disasters like Hurricane Harvey and other natural disasters.
6: How can I find out more information about public adjusters?
If you need help with an insurance claim after damage from Hurricane Irma, learn more about how to hire local professional property adjusters who know what they’re doing. For most homeowners, hiring a public adjuster is the wisest choice for an efficient claims process. By working with experienced professionals who understand your insurance policy, they can help you get back on your feet faster while maximizing benefits to ensure you receive additional support during this stressful time.
After all documents are submitted, you’ll typically wait for further instruction from your insurer about the next steps in the process. If you hire a quality public adjuster, however, they will handle any necessary negotiations until it’s resolved. There are many reputable property insurance companies offering policies that cover hurricane damage. Your best chance of getting what’s fair
