Public insurance adjusters work with a policyholder to assess property loss and help them file insurance claims in exchange for a fee. They are qualified experts who work for individuals and businesses, not for the insurance companies. They can help you get the most out of your insurance policy’s coverage. Learn why it is a good idea to hire a public adjuster.

What Is A Public Insurance Adjuster?

A public insurance adjuster is the only property loss specialist that works on behalf of policyholders. You can hire a public adjuster if you need help filing a claim, or feel a claim amount presented by your insurance company is not enough to cover your damage.

There are many types of disasters claims that public adjusters can help file and negotiate, including smoke, fire, wind, flood, lightening, vehicle, ice, water, riot, civil commotion, vandalism, sink hole and hurricane damage. Once a covered peril is approved, there are other additional coverages that are triggered that you may be entitled to receive.  A public adjuster can also evaluate other types of losses due to property damage, such as business income.

How a Public Adjuster Can Help You

The process of evaluating, completing, and submitting a claim can be incredibly overwhelming. As a policyholder, you may not even be able to fill out a form accurately or with the necessary detail, since every situation is different.

When it comes to filing and adjusting insurance claims, public insurance adjusters are the experts. They are trained in the terminology and details of insurance policies. Adjusters often have prior experience in construction and will use specific software to assess a client’s property loss. They also know precisely how to document and submit supplemental and initial claims for the policyholder.

A Public Adjuster will also help you work with contractors. Communication between the contractor and the adjuster is usually done face to face at the location of the damaged property. Contact with the policyholder’s insurance company is typically done through the mail. Having an adjuster help you through the entire process will protect you from making any mistakes. It will also keep you from having to deal with the tedious situation on your own.

Public Adjusters vs. Independent or Company Adjusters

To calculate property loss and decide how much a claim should pay out, individuals, businesses, and insurance agencies will use insurance adjusters. There are three kinds of insurance adjusters that best accommodate the different parties. These are:

  • Public adjusters
  • Independent adjusters
  • Company adjusters

Company adjusters are employed by the insurance company and sent to evaluate claims filed by their policyholders. Independent adjusters also work for the insurance company but are more like consultants. They are usually hired when their specific capabilities are needed, or when there is a high demand for adjusters at that time.

The Benefits When You Hire a Public Adjuster

If you have experienced property loss and may need to file an insurance claim, you should hire a public adjuster. This is especially true if your claim is for a large amount. There is little to lose when working with an adjuster. Most adjustment companies offer property evaluations free of charge. They can assess the severity of the damage and help you decide whether or not you need to file an insurance claim.

Even if you are sure how much the dollar value of your property loss is, it is a good idea to get a second opinion. A public adjuster will visit a home or business and often find that the property owner’s loss estimate is far lower than what it should be.

As professionals, public adjusters will know every detail needed for an estimate’s costs and calculations that a policyholder may not know about. For example, if part of your roof is damaged from wind, you may have only calculated the cost of a new roof. There is a chance you may have forgotten to include other costs, such as interior ceiling and wall damage, and other additional covered damage.

Hiring Aftermath Adjusters

To cover property loss, it is very important to submit a detailed, accurate estimate. This will allow you to receive the correct amount of money from your insurer. An insurance company will never offer to give more money than the amount claimed. Therefore, hiring a public adjuster can help ensure that you claim the correct amount.

Here at Aftermath Adjusters & Consulting LLC, our qualified team will guide you through the entire claims process, so you don’t have to deal with it by yourself. We have the experience and training necessary to process your claim efficiently. We will help you receive the appropriate amount owed. Contact us today so that we can help you get your life back to normal.