The insurance adjuster works for the insurance company, and their job is to obtain information about claims and determine proposed repairs and the cost of repairs. On the other hand, a public adjuster is hired and paid by the policyholder to represent them in the claims process. Public adjusters are the only property loss professionals who work on behalf of policyholders. Individuals and businesses hire public insurance adjusters when they need help filing a claim or believe that the claim amount offered by an insurance company is incorrect.
If you have problems with your insurance company, or if your personal or professional situation makes it difficult for you to manage all the details, you can hire a claims assistance professional. Currently, you can hire an authorized public adjuster at a “contingent” (percentage) fee who will process your claim and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. A public adjuster is a claims professional who can be hired to represent you when documenting and negotiating your insurance claim. They work only for policyholders, not for insurers.
When you hire a public adjuster, they will handle the entire claims process on your behalf. The public adjuster 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. When your claim is relatively large or has many factors that complicate the situation, a public adjuster is the person you need on your side. Your insurance company will hire an adjuster for your claim; however, they are paid to adjust the claim on behalf of the insurance company, not yours.
An insurance company has a team of people who understand the ins and outs of your policy, what it covers and what it excludes, and are attentive to their profits. If you don't have the same resources on your side, you might find yourself fighting a losing battle. Public insurance adjusters are claims adjusters that you can hire to help you document your loss and file your claim. Your insurance company doesn't pay the public adjuster that you pay.
You can hire a public adjuster if your claim is complicated, if you think your insurance company hasn't treated you fairly, or if you don't agree with the amount of money the insurance company is going to pay. A public adjuster (PA) represents you as a policyholder, prepares, files and resolves a home or business property insurance claim. A qualified PA has specialized experience that can simplify and accelerate the complicated and time-consuming process of resolving a claim. For example, if the claim is resolved and additional damage is discovered during repairs, you may want to hire a public adjuster to assess the total cost.
Some landlords choose to hire a public claims adjuster if they have had bad experiences with claims in the past. You can also see if they are members of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA). The NAPIA Board of Directors lists all public adjustment firms that must have a license in their state of operation. The public adjuster will be responsible for communicating directly with the insurance company on your behalf and will act as an intermediary to avoid these time-consuming calls and contacts.
Public adjusters can charge between 5% and 20% of their final settlement, depending on the amount of work involved and the complexity of the claim. Be wary of public contractors and appraisers who try to pressure you to seek an attorney when there are no signs of a legal problem. Public adjusters can help you read your policy, explain it in simple terms, organize the process, and document your losses and needs. They can be especially useful when a claim is too large or too complex, as is common in natural disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes or floods.
Thanks to their experience and determination to do everything possible, they can help ensure that nothing is omitted in the claim and in its settlement. However, if no one you know can make a recommendation, ask the public adjuster in question for contact information from some of their previous customers. Any insurance company may refuse to negotiate with a public adjuster or refuse to pay the agreement desired by the policyholder. Public adjusters are professionals and are unlikely to omit costs in their calculations that the insured may forget or ignore.
They are there to work for you as policyholders to help you recover financially from a loss. If you think your insurance company is neglecting you (it doesn't respond to your calls in a timely manner), it would be wise to expand your team to include a public adjuster. A qualified PA has specialized experience that can simplify and accelerate the complicated process of resolving an insurance claim.
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