Top Questions To Ask A Public Adjuster
1. Are you licensed in my state?
Confirming that the public adjuster has an individual public adjuster's license in your state is essential. This ensures they are legally permitted to work on your behalf with your insurance company.
2. How many years of experience do you have as a public adjuster?
Experience is crucial, especially in dealing with complex insurance claims. An adjuster's experience can significantly impact the financial benefits you receive from your claim.
3. Can you provide references from past clients?
References can offer insights into the public adjuster's effectiveness and reliability. A reputable public adjuster should be able to provide testimonials from past clients to demonstrate their success in settling claims.
4. What type of claims do you specialize in?
Whether it’s residential or commercial claims, knowing the adjuster’s area of specialization can help you determine if they're a good fit for your specific situation. They should also be able to handle a variety of damage claims related to water, fire, wildfire, earthquakes, theft, vandalism, and marijuana.
5. How do you charge for your services?
Understanding the fee structure is critical. Public adjusters typically charge a percentage of the claim settlement, which means their payment is contingent upon the insurer pays out.
6. What is your process for handling a claim?
The insurance claim process can be lengthy and complex. A detailed explanation of the claim process, including how they handle insurance company issues, will give you a clear understanding of what to expect.
7. How do you communicate with your clients during the claims process?
Regular communication is key to a smooth claim process. Ensure they have a system in place for updates and are responsive to inquiries.
8. Will you be the one personally handling my claim, or will it be passed to another adjuster in your firm?
Knowing who will directly manage your claim can affect your decision, especially if you're looking for a personalized service from a reputable local company.
9. How do you handle disputes with insurance companies?
A licensed public adjuster who is skilled in negotiation and understands construction estimating skills can be invaluable in resolving disputes that might arise.
10. What documentation will I need to provide, and what will you handle on my behalf?
It's important to know exactly what documents you're expected to gather (such as photos of damage, receipts, and proof of ownership) and what the public insurance adjuster will take care of for you. They should help streamline the gathering of additional evidence, leveraging their skills to ensure your insurance claim is well-documented and supported. Understanding this division of tasks can expedite the claim process, allowing you to focus more on your recovery while the adjuster handles the complexities of dealing with the insurance company.
11. How do you manage workload?
Specifically, you want to know how many claims they are currently handling, and how many other claims they expect to take on during yours. This question helps gauge whether the licensed public adjuster has the capacity to give your claim the attention it deserves. Overburdened public adjusters might not provide the detailed focus required for maximizing your claim's value.
Incorporating these questions into your discussion with potential public adjusters will help you better understand their qualifications, experience, and how they plan to advocate on your behalf with the insurance adjuster from your insurance company. This due diligence ensures you're hiring a public adjuster who is well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the insurance claim process, ultimately securing the best possible outcome for your claim.
Benefits of Working With a Public Adjuster
When you hire the best licensed public adjuster, you should expect the following benefits:
- Potentially maximize your insurance claim payouts
- Receive help with the entire claims process
- Have someone advocating for you for a fair and just settlement
- Experience an expedited claims process so that you can move on with your life
- Receive a thorough assessment of damages
- Trust that you have received the benefits you were entitled to receiving
- Experience less stress during the claims process
Excel Adjusters: The Best Public Adjusters in Southern California
At Excel Adjusters, we work for you. We specialize in residential and commercial property loss for water, fire, wildfire, earthquake, flood, and theft. To this day, we have handled over 2,000 damaged property claims. Our highly trained team of professionals identifies, quantifies, and establishes the full extent of your loss with your insurance company. Our experts relieve you of the intricacies and complex procedures that come with handling claims in English, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese throughout the entire process.