If your residential or commercial property is damaged or destroyed and you decide to file a claim with your insurance company, be prepared to spend a lot of time and energy on the entire claims process. You will be asked to list and describe everything that you lost and the cost to replace or repair those items. Most people do not realize that is takes a lot of effort. This is a crucial process to the claim, also known as “documenting a claim,” but you will not get paid the money you are entitled to until you do so. Once you have finished that process you must begin negotiations with your insurance company or the chances of you getting what you are entitled to get smaller and smaller.
Public Adjusters are professional that you can hire to represent you in documenting and negotiating you claim. Public adjusters work for the policyholder and not the insurance company. The insurance company has their own team of adjusters, also known as “independent adjusters” which work directly with the insurance company on a contract-hiring basis. Independent adjusters are hired and paid by the insurance company, not policyholders. The insurance company will assign these adjusters to your claim, but they represent them, not you!
When you file a claim, you may be fine on your own, or you may do better by hiring an experienced adjuster. The same goes with other professions. You can choose to do your own taxes or you can hire a licensed CPA to review your tax information. A licensed Public Adjuster can your be your representative and advocate in the process of getting your claim processed and paid. The last thing you need when you have suffered a major loss to your personal property is extra headaches and problems. The claims process involves legwork, paper work, math, and insurance lingo, knowledge of building structures and codes, and negotiation.
QUESTIONS TO ASK AND THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIRE A PUBLIC ADJUSTER
1. Make sure your Public Adjuster is licensed! Ask to see their individual license for your state.
2. Be sure that you are interviewing the people that will be adjusting the loss. Find out if this person is just a sales rep and will be handing off your claim to someone else.
3. Is the company you are dealing with have an extremely large volume of business. Will they be able to give you the care and attention you deserve? Your claim can be delayed if your public adjuster is handling to many claims at once.
4. What type of skills and experience does your adjuster bring to the table? Do they have knowledge regarding your type of claim?
5. Is the adjuster personally fit for you? Do you feel that they are confident and comfortable with their communication skills and level of commitment?
6. Remember that Public Adjusters work on a contingency fee basis. If you do not collect money, nor will they. Also fees are capped in some states. The fee you agree to pay a Public Adjuster should take into account the size and type of loss and the experience and knowledge he/she may have in helping you get the maximum recovery for your loss.
