Have you ever experienced damage to your property due to water, fire, earthquake, theft, vandalism, or marijuana? When damage from these types of events occurs, you’ll need to file a claim with your insurance company to be reimbursed for damages.
When you file your claim, your insurance company will send someone on-site known as an insurance adjuster to evaluate your claims. The job of an insurance adjuster is to determine the extent of coverage and damage. However, because they are hired and provided by your insurance company, they represent the best interests of the insurance company and not you, the policyholder.
This means they might even look for every reason not to reimburse you for damages, which could lead to you being responsible for paying out-of-pocket any repair costs.
In this article, you’ll learn what an insurance adjuster is and why you should hire a public adjuster to help you get the maximum settlement you are owed.
What is an Insurance Adjuster?
An insurance adjuster is hired by your insurance company. Their job is to visit the property on-site to determine the extent of damage and whether or not they believe the insurance company should pay you the settlement you are owed for damages.
They are not independent and represent the insurance company. While they investigate and assess the claims, it’s likely they will try to find every reason to deny your claim or to lowball your claim, paying you less than what are are owed for damages.
What is a Public Adjuster?
A public adjuster represents you, the policyholder. They advocate on your behalf to help you receive the fair settlement you are owed. They negotiate with the insurance company and complete the necessary paperwork. If you experience property damage, you should contact a public adjuster before contacting your insurance company. A public adjuster will assist you through the entire claims process.
Once you contact a public adjuster, they will:
- Negotiate a Fair, Final, and Reasonable Settlement for the Policyholder
- Assess Building Damage
- Provide Licensed and Unbiased Vendors (for work that is needed)
- Review Insurance Policy Coverages & Water Damage Restoration Process
- Evaluate Clients’ Compliance Responsibilities
- Investigate and Measure the Extent of the Loss
- Evaluate Replacement Costs and/or Depreciation
- Assemble Business Equipment Claims
- Assemble Support data for Loss of Income Claim
- Prepare Documentation for Advance Payment Request
- Evaluate Microbial Contamination (mold)
- Assess Total Loss Claims and Review Insurance Estimates
When Should I Hire a Public Adjuster?
You should consider hiring a public adjuster if you’ve experienced any of the below:
- You’re unsure about your insurance policy
- You’ve suffered significant property damage or loss
- Your insurance company denies your claim or undervalues your claim
- You want to maximize your claim settlement
- You need someone to advocate on your behalf with the insurance company
- You need expert help documenting and filing your claim
Additionally, as a first-time homeowner, you might need a public adjuster if:
- Your newly purchased home has pre-existing damage not disclosed during the sale
- You encounter unexpected issues during the home inspection
- You experience damage or issues shortly after moving in
- You’re having disputes with your insurance provider related to the home insurance coverage for your property
Key Differences Between a Public Adjuster and an Insurance Adjuster
There are several important differences between a public adjuster and an insurance adjuster.
1. Public Adjusters Represent You, Insurance Adjusters Are Staffed By Insurance Companies
A public adjuster is completely independent of insurance companies and solely represents you, the policyholder. When a public adjuster is helping you file your insurance claim, they are advocating for you. The goal of a public adjuster is to make sure you receive the maximum insurance claim payout you are owed for damages.
An insurance adjuster is not independent and is hired by your insurance company. They will investigate the damage, but they are not working with your best interest in mind. Instead, they are likely trying to prove you did something to cause the damages, resulting in the insurance company no longer needing to pay.
2. Public Adjusters Know State Insurance Laws, Insurance Adjusters Might Not Know State Laws
Did you know that each state has different laws for negotiating insurance claims and navigating the insurance claim process?
Independent adjusters might not be as familiar with the laws of your state since they might not be local, which can potentially affect your payout. A public adjuster will be local to where you live and extremely familiar with the insurance laws of your state, making it more likely they can get you the most money from your claim.
3. Public Adjusters Make The Claims Process Easier
Public adjusters can speak with the insurance provider on your behalf since they have Power of Attorney in your claim. Rather than feeling stressed dealing with the insurance company, the public adjuster can take care of everything.
If you only work with an insurance adjuster rather than hiring a public adjuster, you’ll need to communicate with the insurance company directly. This can be very stressful and complicated for most policyholders.
4. Public Adjusters Uphold The Insurance Company’s Obligation To Make Payments
Sometimes the insurance provider will try to cut corners with payouts from damages, making it important to have someone in your corner advocating for you. If your claim is approved, a public adjuster will ensure the insurance company meets their payment obligations.
Why Should Property Owners Consider Hiring Public Adjusters When Dealing with Property Damage Claims?
If you own property and experience damage from fire, water, earthquakes, vandalism, or theft, you should consider hiring a public adjuster. A public adjuster will evaluate the full extent of the damage and communicate with your insurance company to help you get the maximum settlement you are owed.
As mentioned, insurance adjusters are hired by the insurance company and therefore, might not be much help to you since they represent the interest of the insurance provider rather than you.
When Should I Consider Hiring a Public Adjuster Instead of Relying Solely on My Insurance Company’s Adjuster?
You should consider hiring a public adjuster when your claim involves property damage, especially in the aftermath of natural disasters. Public adjusters specialize in assessing claims involving property damage caused by natural disasters (earthquakes, fires, water damage, theft, vandalism, and marijuana), which can be very complex. Unlike insurance company adjusters or independent insurance adjusters, public adjusters work exclusively in this specific insurance industry, bringing valuable expertise to the claims process.
What Fees are Associated with Hiring a Public Adjuster?
A public adjuster does not get paid unless you receive a payout from the insurance company, in which case they will take a small percentage (this will vary based on the specific claim).
Public adjusters have a deep understanding of how claims adjusters work in the insurance industry. They diligently advocate on your behalf to maximize your claim payout. The fees associated with hiring a public adjuster are typically considered a worthwhile investment to secure the compensation you deserve.
Do Public Adjusters Specialize in Specific Types of Insurance Claims?
Yes, public adjusters often specialize in handling specific types of insurance claims, particularly those related to property damage due to natural disasters. They are experts in navigating the nuances of such claims and collaborating with relevant information like police reports.
While their primary focus is on property damage claims, some public adjusters also handle personal injury claims, ensuring that you have comprehensive assistance throughout the claims process (including providing police reports), regardless of the nature of your claim.
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.
