When it comes to filing an insurance claim, it can be a daunting task. You may not have much experience processing insurance claims, you may not know the local laws on insurance claims very well, and you may not have any training to help you process the claim to maximize your settlement. This is where a public adjuster comes in. A public adjuster is a claims professional who is hired by the policyholder to represent them when documenting and negotiating their insurance claim.
They are well-trained and will fight for you against your insurance company to help you get what you are owed. A public adjuster is employed by the landlord and is usually paid a percentage of the claim amount. A landlord may decide to hire a public adjuster if they have a potentially significant claim and are concerned that everything is covered. Public adjusters are the only property loss professionals who work on behalf of policyholders, so individuals and businesses hire them when they need help filing a claim or believe that the claim amount offered by an insurance company is incorrect. When you hire a public adjuster, they will handle the entire claims process on your behalf. They will visit your home to inspect the damage, do a thorough review of your claim, calculate the recommended payment and coordinate with your insurance company to process your payment.
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 hire an authorized public adjuster at a “contingent” (percentage) fee who will process your claim and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. Having a public adjuster working on your claim also means that you will have a witness if your insurance company acts in bad faith and a more drastic measure is needed to get your claim paid. Insurance policies can be confusing if you don't have in-depth knowledge of the industry, which sometimes makes it difficult to file your claim. Basic terminology, such as actual cash value, business interruption coverage, restoration period, and replacement costs, are just some of the terms you're expected to understand when resolving a claim on your own, in addition to knowing how your insurance company develops the valuation. Seeing that you most likely don't have specific experience with property claims, hiring a public adjuster can greatly increase the amount of your claims settlement. They are there to work for you, the policyholder, to help you recover financially from a loss.
Insurance claims contain a variety of provisions, processes, clauses, legal terms and complex issues that must be addressed to maximize their settlement. Many public appraisers work on a contingent basis, which means they aren't paid until a settlement is obtained. It is essential to check references and agree on rates and terms before entering into a contract with a public appraiser. Your public adjuster will work to maximize the amount of money you'll receive for your claim. Having someone think and negotiate on your behalf is invaluable when it comes to filing an insurance claim. The public adjuster will be responsible for the task of communicating directly with the insurance company on your behalf and will act as an intermediary to avoid these time-consuming calls and contacts. Thanks to their experience and determination to do everything possible, the public adjuster can help ensure that nothing is omitted in the claim and in the settlement of the claim.
Many public appraisers don't charge a fee to visit the site of the loss and determine if they will work with the policyholder on a case. You can also see if they are members of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. Property losses can also result in other types of losses, such as business revenues, that public appraisers can evaluate. Having a public adjuster working on your claim means that you will have someone who understands all aspects of insurance policies and can help ensure that you get what you are owed.
