Public Adjusters are independent business people who work for the general public, not an insurance company. Public Adjusters are generally professional specialists who understand the complexities and intricacies of insurance policies. They help you by filing your claim with your insurance company, and may be able to get a better settlement than you might get on your own. Public adjusters make money by taking a percentage of the insurance company's settlement with you. When you suffer a property loss due to fire and other allied casualties, filing your claim and handling all the details may make the best sense. If you feel overwhelmed or just don't have the time to cope with all the details, retaining a public adjuster to help can make sense. This can be specially true if you have never read your insurance policy and don't know what coverage you have until you file a claim.
What We Do?
Public adjusters measure and document the loss.
The public adjuster then works with the insurance company's adjuster to get the claim adjusted as promptly and in as fair an amount as possible. The public adjusters knowledge of this particular industry and its claims personnel is invaluable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need help in filing an insurance claim?
The typical fire policy contains hundreds of provisions and stipulations - various forms and riders that are constantly changing and many complex details about your requirements in case of loss. Most people do not know or understand these policy provisions - and most do not realize that the burden of proof is on them, the policyholder. Most insurance company representatives actually prefer to work with an experienced accredited public insurance adjuster rather than an inexperienced insured.
An accredited public insurance adjuster not only has your confidence, but also that of company adjusters who recognize that they are dealing with a professional.
Why should I engage a public insurance adjuster to obtain what is rightfully due to me?
Insurance companies offer to pay what is due to you as they see it. Public insurance adjusters are your exclusive representatives. With their experience and knowledge they are better able to obtain a more favorable adjustment for you, the insured.
What is the extent of their responsibility?
Your public insurance adjuster assists with every phase of preparing and presenting your claim, as well as accomplishing an adjustment for you which is equitable and includes everything to which you are entitled under your insurance policy.
Will a public insurance adjuster help me receive a more prompt and satisfactory settlement?
Yes. They lose no time in complying with the policy requirements to obtain and evaluate the facts and prepare the claim. The alert, knowledgeable and prompt service they render often preserves evidence that may otherwise be overlooked or destroyed. The more thoroughly and completely your claim is compiled and prepared, the faster your public insurance adjuster can accomplish an equitable and proper settlement in you best interest
Once a policyholder has witnessed the skill and knowledge of the accredited public insurance adjuster, he or she rarely will attempt to settle a claim without the benefit of their specialized assistance. The public insurance adjuster's most frequent sources of new clients are the recommendations of those they have previously served.
How much do they charge for their service?
Your public insurance adjuster's charge is a percentage of the insurance company's settlement with you. By seeking to maximize your settlement, your public insurance adjuster's services can save you the cost of their fees, at the very best.
In the event of a loss, what steps should I take?
Promptly report the loss to the agent or broker, or directly to the insurance company - and immediately retain the services of a public insurance adjuster to serve you.
Do public insurance adjusters take care of claims other than fire?
Yes. They will assist you in any claims you may have due to windstorm, explosion, and any other insured losses that are sustained (inland marine, business interruption, rental income, improvements and betterments, commission and profit, reporting forms, additional expense, etc.).
Are they connected with insurance companies?
No. They are employed exclusively by you - the policyholder- not by an insurance company.
How can a public insurance adjuster help me?
You will have the advantage of expert assistance based on great experience in handling numerous technical problems. Your public insurance adjuster relieves you of the many time-consuming and difficult matters involved in preparing and filing a claim - and helps you to receive a prompt and fair settlement.
Can I prepare my own claim?
Sure, but it stands to reason that the accredited public insurance adjuster who has years of experience and training can do so with more competence than the policyholder.
More specifically, a public insurance adjuster will assist you in the preparation of inventories, estimates and other factual proofs of loss. He or she will handle all the necessary details for compiling and filing claims, as required by the terms of your insurance policies. Your public insurance adjuster will also confer, on your behalf, with insurance company representatives and handle all matters essential to a proper and satisfactory adjustment.
