Property loss can be overwhelming, especially if that loss is part of a widespread event, like a hurricane. During such an event, everyone is overwhelmed, from property owners to insurance carriers, so trying to get a claim through to settlement is difficult.

After submitting a claim, your insurance company will send a claims adjuster – either an employee or an independent adjuster – to look at your property and evaluate the claim. Because insurance companies exist to make a profit, their goals and yours may not be the same. The adjuster they send is looking out for their interests, which means they may want you to settle before you know the full extent of the damage. Or they may want you to settle for less than the amount needed to make repairs. Or they may deny a claim, usually because of incomplete paperwork.

That’s why you may want to consider hiring a public adjuster. This is someone in the equation who works for you. They represent your interests. Their goal is to make sure you receive a fair settlement based on your policy.

Here are the five biggest reasons that people decide to use a public adjuster when dealing with property damage, especially after a hurricane or other natural disaster.

Time

Filing a claim for hurricane damage is a lot of work that takes a lot of time. If you go it alone, you will have to fill out all the paperwork, attend inspections, be on-site for other meetings, take phone calls from contractors and insurance providers, and negotiate for a fair settlement. Doing all of this is like having a full-time job.

As a homeowner, you have many other responsibilities during the day from being a spouse or partner, employee, family member, friend, volunteer, and more. You may not have the necessary time needed to file a claim without impacting the rest of your life.

When you hire a public adjuster, they will be there to do everything you don’t have time to do yourself. They will keep you informed so you always know where you are in the process, but the actual time spent managing the claim is limited.

Expertise

In addition to time, most property owners do not have the expertise needed to handle the complex claims process. Having a public adjuster on your side means that you don’t have to:

  • Understand the language of the insurance policy
  • Know the procedures needed for repairing your property
  • Understand how to document expenses
  • Find the proof needed to substantiate your claim

Aftermath Adjusters & Consulting, LLC has a team of experts that understand construction and insurance. This means you will have someone on your side with the necessary expertise.

Rapid Claim Resolution

Many claims are delayed or denied because of something as simple as a missing document or using the wrong words to explain damage. This can cause the claims process to drag out for months.

A public adjuster knows how to:

  • Organize the claim
  • Document damages
  • Use the right language
  • File the correct documents

All of this means that your settlement happens faster and allows you to repair your property and get back to living life more quickly.

Protect Your Rights

Many homeowners file a claim only to have it denied. Unfortunately, a good number of these walk away from the claim assuming that their insurance will not cover the damage. In many cases, however, the policyholder does have a claim – they just didn’t know how to show it.

A public adjuster knows how to renegotiate a denied claim. They will have the documentation needed to show why you deserve a settlement and can act as a witness if your claim ends up in court.

Better Settlements

A study by the Office of Program and Policy Analysis & Government Accountability found that homeowners in Florida got a better settlement when using a public adjuster. In fact, the numbers were astounding. Homeowners, on their own, received an average payout of $2,029. On the other hand, homeowners that used a public adjuster received $17, 187. That’s a 747% increase.

The difference between these settlements is substantial and can mean having the money to repair your home or not.

Generally speaking, hiring a public adjuster makes sense for homeowners. Aftermath Adjusters & Consulting, LLC has a strong reputation in Florida and 50+ years of combined experience. If you’ve suffered damage to your property, give us a call. We want to help you achieve a positive claims outcome.