A public adjuster is an independent professional who works exclusively for policyholders, not for insurers. They are the only property loss professionals who act on behalf of policyholders, and are hired when individuals or businesses need help filing a claim or believe that the claim amount offered by an insurance company is incorrect. Homeowners may choose to hire a public adjuster to assist them during the claim process. A public adjuster will evaluate the damage to your property, help determine the extent of the repairs, and evaluate the replacement value of those repairs. They work on your behalf to obtain information about claims and determine proposed repairs and the cost of repairs.
The public adjuster would be hired and paid by the policyholder. Public adjusters are state-accredited professionals trained to interpret policies, document and evaluate losses, and in many states they can help negotiate a settlement. They can replace you when you feel overwhelmed or simply don't have the time or energy to deal with filing a claim. They work exclusively so that you receive the money that is rightfully owed to you. State regulations generally require public adjusters to take courses, pass an exam, obtain a license, and participate in continuing education. Any insurance company may refuse to negotiate with a public adjuster or refuse to pay the agreement desired by the policyholder. If you are a policyholder who needs quality legal support during a dispute, contact the Law Office of Craig A.
Your public adjuster will assess the damages, determine a cost estimate, and even negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf. The best time to hire a public adjuster is before you file the claim or at the beginning of the grievance process. If you have a small, simple insurance claim, it may not be worth paying to use a public adjuster. The best public adjusters can also help you receive more from your claim than you would have received otherwise. 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. Many public adjusters don't charge a fee to visit the site of the loss and determine if they will work with the policyholder on a case. For example, an adjuster may know that your company is interested in working on your fire claim, but another company adjuster may have more experience with fire damage and process your claim from then on.
Also, research your state's regulations to find out if there are limits to the amount a public adjuster can charge.
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