WHAT IS A California PUBLIc insurance ADJUSTER?
A California public adjuster is someone who works on your behalf to settle an insurance claim. This individual operates in an independent capacity to help the policyholder by thoroughly evaluating the claim through analysis of the damage involved and calculates a payout based on the available evidence in the case. Since the public adjuster is working directly for the policyholder, he or she will typically propose a higher reward as payout but this can also be a result of the public adjuster’s comprehensive involvement in auditing the claim. The public adjuster’s investigation is often a more in-depth analysis than the one conducted by the insurance company’s adjuster.
The insurance company adjuster performs a similar task but this individual is working for the insurer and while the insurance adjuster has been assigned to ensure you receive a fair settlement on your claim, that individual has the insurance company’s best interests at heart – not yours. That means your payout can be significantly lower after his or her evaluation is completed.
When hiring a public adjuster, you want to be entirely sure that you are choosing the right one. For starters, all public adjusters must be licensed in the state where the loss was sustained. Without that license, move on to the next candidate. You can also find public records on public adjusters at the state insurance department. Check with the Better Business Bureau to do further diligence on any candidate you consider hiring. References and qualifications should also be important factors in your decision. Public adjusters of southern California must abide by the State requirements for licensing and bonding.