Although it is possible to handle your own insurance claim, it may not be the wisest move – and could potentially cause you to lose money. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, so they do what they can to limit their payouts. This is easier to accomplish with homeowners with no insurance claim experience because they are more likely to make errors.
If you have to file an insurance claim, you may want to consider hiring a public adjuster. Having this experience on your side can make the difference between a full payout and one that leaves you unable to restore your home.
Here’s why.
#1: The Extensive Paperwork is Confusing
Filing an insurance claim requires a mountain of paperwork that can be overwhelming. Not completing this paperwork correctly or in a timely manner can lead to delayed, partial, or even denied payouts.
Each form needs more than a signature. It also needs accurate and detailed information so your insurance company knows exactly what is needed to make repairs. Without filling out these forms correctly, the homeowner is likely to receive a smaller payout.
What types of paperwork are required? Some include:
- Proof of damage
- Home inventory with brands, makes, models, serial numbers, purchase price, and more
- Detailed restoration estimates
- And more
Filling out this documentation correctly takes time, and in some cases, experience.
#2: Filing a Claim Takes a Lot of Time
When filing an insurance claim, you will need to research, verify, and manage the claim. All of this takes an enormous amount of time. Here are some things you will need to do:
- Document the claim
- Research options for repairing and/or restoring your home
- Find contractors and compare quotes
- Fill out paperwork
- Be available for inspections
- Interface with the insurance claims adjuster
All of this adds up and can easily interfere with a homeowner’s job, family, and personal pursuits.
#3: Homeowners Lack of Experience
Most homeowners only deal with insurance claims a couple of times. That means they do not have experience dealing with the many moving parts of an insurance claim. When you hire a public adjuster, you are hiring their experience. Always look for a public adjuster who has years of experience and hundreds of claims under their belt. This will help you get the maximum payout possible.
#4: Homeowners Don’t Know What is Normal
Most homeowners don’t completely understand their policy, what it covers, or what average payouts should be. When the insurance company offers a settlement, they don’t know if it is good or bad. They don’t know when they should ask for more or push back on a denial.
#5: Settlements Are Likely to be Less
Many studies show that homeowners with a public adjuster on their side get a higher payout than those who handle their own claim. In fact, one report from the Florida OPPAGA shows that policyholders using a public adjuster get 747% more. That number is significant when it comes to repairing your home after damages.
Hiring a public adjuster makes sense. When you hire Aftermath Adjusters & Consulting, LLC, you get several decades of experience handling hundreds of insurance claims. We will help you get the highest possible settlement because we know what your insurance company needs and know the right way to present all the facts. There’s no need to try to do this alone. Call us today and let us help you with your insurance claim.
