Two Types of Claims Adjusters
When you file a claim with your insurer, the insurer sends an adjuster to your property. The adjuster will assess the damage and the cost of repairs or replacement of the damaged items.
The insurance claims adjuster is the most common professional you'll deal with when filing and processing your claim. These adjusters can work for the insurance company as an employee, and they operate with the insurer's best interests in mind.
Insurance companies may also contract private adjuster firms to help them handle their workload, especially during big disaster events where they have several claims in an area, such as in the wake of a hurricane. These adjusters also work in the insurer's best interests.
A public adjuster works for the policyholder, not the insurer. A public adjuster is a licensed, independent operator. You'll hire a public adjuster to assess your claim when you feel the insurance company is not playing ball and trying to deny your claim.
Do I Need a Public Insurance Adjuster?
Most people don't ever think about hiring a public adjuster – in fact, most people don't even know that a public adjuster exists. Instead, they take their insurer at face value when the private adjuster arrives at their premises for the assessment.
When hiring your public adjuster, getting them involved in the claims process as early as possible is important if you want a favorable outcome. The insurer may still send out a private adjuster, but they will work alongside your public adjuster, ensuring a fair assessment.
You'll have to pay the public adjuster, whereas the insurance company covers the cost of the private adjuster. Therefore, it's advisable only to hire a public adjuster if you're having problems with your insurer processing your claim or if it's a large loss that your insurer could potentially throw out.
Top Reasons for Hiring Public Adjusters
Here are a few reasons why you might need to hire a public adjuster to help you navigate your insurance claim.
You may need a public adjuster in cases where the policyholder faces a complete loss that impacts them financially.
When you feel that the insurer did not issue a fair adjuster or the adjuster did not accurately assess the problem.
You may need a public adjuster when the insurer tries to lowball your claim with a weak offer.
You need a public adjuster if your insurer is dragging its heels with your claim or appeal.
Commercial insurance policies can be complicated. A public adjuster can review your claim and policy details to determine if you're eligible for a claim.
Business owners that don't have the time to follow up on or process a claim may utilize the services of a public adjuster to save them time and effort.
The public adjuster will take care of filing and following up on your claim with the relevant authorities, ensuring you the best chance of a payout.
However, public adjusters are not free, and you'll have to pay them for their service. Most adjusters take their fee from the settlement. However, if the insurer refuses your claim in the wake of the adjuster's appeal, you are liable for their expenses.
Do I Need a Public Adjuster? – Key Takeaways
The public adjuster works for the policyholder, not the insurer. Therefore, you have a better chance of a fair assessment and a payout on your insurance claim.
Most states require public adjusters to have a license to operate.
A public adjuster will charge you a percentage fee for their services, based on the amount they recover from your insurer.
Public adjusters are typically only necessary when navigating a large claim with a risk of the insurer throwing it out.
A public adjuster may be necessary for navigating the complexities of large commercial insurance claims.
Contact Florida Public Adjusters for a fair assessment and the best chance of a full payout from your insurer.
