A public adjuster is an independent professional who works on behalf of the policyholder. They are similar to a claims adjuster, but they specialize in evaluating the damage to your property, determining the extent of repairs needed, and assessing the replacement value of those repairs. The policyholder pays the public adjuster, usually a percentage of the claim amount. A policyholder may choose to hire a public adjuster if they have a potentially large claim and are worried that all aspects are covered. If you have issues with your insurance company or if your personal or professional situation makes it difficult for you to manage all the details, you can hire a claims assistance professional.
In most parts of the United States, you can find an authorized public adjuster who will handle the processing of your claim and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. A public adjuster is a claims specialist who you can hire to represent you when documenting and negotiating your insurance claim. They only work for policyholders, not for insurers. A public adjuster is an independent insurance professional that a policyholder can hire to help resolve an insurance claim on their behalf. For example, if the claim is resolved and additional damage is discovered during repairs, you may want to hire a public adjuster to assess the total cost. Generally, a public adjuster will charge a percentage of what the policyholder's insurance company ultimately pays for a claim.
They can help you analyze your options and explain what your policy covers. A public insurance adjuster works with policyholders to help them obtain a fair settlement of an insurance company's claim after a loss. Policyholders should be aware that they are claiming the right amount and hiring a public adjuster can help guarantee this. Your public adjuster will evaluate the damages, determine an estimate of the cost, and even negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf. Public adjusters can help you read your policy for you, explain it in simple terms, organize the process, and document your losses and needs.
Public adjusters can charge between 5% and 20% of their final settlement, depending on the amount of work involved and the complexity of the claim. It's great to know that public adjusters advocate and negotiate on your behalf so you don't have to worry about it on your own. Good insurance adjusters often rely on word-of-mouth recommendations for new businesses, so if you know a good public adjuster, tell a friend. Many public adjusters work on a contingent basis, meaning they aren't paid until a deal is reached. If you're in the process of filing a claim with your insurance company, it may be worth hiring a public adjuster. Especially after major natural disasters, be wary of scammers or people posing as public adjusters.
If you have the time, energy, and ability to evaluate and catalog your losses, assess the cost of returning your property to its pre-loss state, and carefully read your policy to understand your rights and obligations, then you may not need to hire a public adjuster.
