Frequently Asked Questions About Property Insurance Claims
A. An authority on loss adjustments that you can retain to assist you in preparing, filing, and adjusting claims.
A. You will have the advantage of expert assistance, based on vast experience in handling numerous technical problems. Your Public Insurance Adjuster can relieve you of the time-consuming and difficult matters involved in preparing and filing a claim; help you to receive a prompt and fair settlement.
A. Yes, but it stands to reason that a PA who has had years of experience and training can do so with more competence than the policyholder.
More specifically, a PA will assist you in the preparation of inventories, estimates, and other factual proofs of loss. He or she will handle all the necessary details for compiling and filing claims, as required by the terms of your insurance policies. Your PA will also confer, on your behalf, with the insurance company representatives and handle all matters essential to a proper and satisfactory adjustment.
Also, most insurance company representatives actually prefer to work with an experienced PA rather than an inexperienced insured. A PA not only has your confidence, but also that of company adjusters who recognize they are dealing with a professional.
A. Insurance companies offer to pay what is due to you as they see it. Public Insurance Adjusters are your exclusive representatives. With their experience and knowledge, they are better able to obtain a more favorable adjustment for you, the insured.
A. Your PA assists with every phase of preparing and presenting your claim, as well as accomplishing an adjustment for you which is equitable and includes everything to which you are entitled under your insurance policy.
A. They are the experts to turn to when such matters arise. They are concerned only with your interests. Because of their broad experience and specialized knowledge, they prepare your claim so that you can recover to the fullest extent of your insurance coverages. It is up to you to prove your loss. There may be many questions and problems as to how the policy provisions can be applied in different circumstances.
A. Yes. They lose no time in complying with the policy requirements
to obtain and evaluate the facts and prepare the claim. The alert,
knowledgeable and prompt service they render often preserves evidence that may otherwise be overlooked or destroyed. The more thoroughly and completely your claim is compiled and prepared, the faster your PA can accomplish an equitable and proper settlement in your best interest.
Once a policyholder has experienced the skill and knowledge of the PA, he or she will only attempt to settle a claim with the benefit of their specialized assistance. The PA’s most frequent source of new clients is the recommendations of those they have previously served.
When to Contact
When to Contact A Public Adjuster
A public insurance adjuster is a licensed professional that policyholders can hire to represent their best interests in a property insurance claim situation. Public insurance adjusters were created by their respective states to help level the playing field with the insurance carrier and provide the policyholder an expert advocate.
The public adjuster helps manage the claim, make sure claim filing requirements are met and helps recover the amount a policyholder deserves under their insurance contract. Unlike the insurance adjuster sent out by the insurance company, the public adjuster works for you.
But when should you hire a public adjuster and what criteria should you use when deciding if you need a public adjuster to represent you in a property claim?
Hire the Adjuster at the Right Time
Like any situation, it’s always best to get professionals involved as early in the process as possible. But professional help does come with a cost and many policyholders make the decision to handle their claim themselves. Some are successful, but many become bogged down in the process and are never really sure they received the proper settlement amount.
With insurance claims, a policyholder should beware they do not agree to or sign anything presented to them by their insurance carrier that they are not totally comfortable with.
Consider turning to a public insurance adjuster when one or more of the following conditions exist:
People already have full lives. They work and have family commitments and may not want to deal with the stress of trying to get a claim processed and paid.
Insurance contracts can sometimes be confusing documents leaving individuals unsure of their coverage. Turning to your insurance agent for clarifications can sometimes help. But if you cannot understand your policy, consider asking a public adjuster for help. Most reputable public adjusters will review your loss with no obligation.
Filing an insurance claim (especially with extensive and complicated damages) can be daunting. Get help if you are confused and avoid mistakes that might affect your settlement.
Severe property damage creates a variety of complicated claims issues. Claims that you are due under your policy and certain types of damages can often be missed. Certain expenses may also be placed in the wrong claims categories. Identifying hidden structural damage, valuing your loss properly and accounting for possessions and valuables can impact the value of your claim.
Insurance company research shows that the quicker a policyholder gets paid-off the happier they are. Unfortunately, what appears to be great customer service can sometimes be an attempt to get rid of a claim and get you to settle for less money due to the stress and desire to “get it over with.” Our only advice here is to take your time and make sure you are protected. You should not be rushed or forced to sign anything until you understand the true impact a claim can have.
This often happens when major catastrophes create claims log-jams. In many cases, we have seen insurance companies fly in adjusters from out of state who do not understand state law. In all states, insurance carriers are required to respond to you and process your claim in a specified time period. If you are getting the run-around, get help.
Unfortunately, insurance company adjusters and carriers do not always act in the best interest of their policyholders. They are in business to turn a profit and may value damages to your property differently than you. Or they may determine that you are not covered for some of the damage. Sometimes, offers will not even approach the value of restoring the damaged property. This is where an expert who uses the same estimating software as the insurance carrier and understands insurance policy language can help.
Insurance claims representatives that are afraid to deal with a licensed professional may be a red flag. You should be the only one determining if hiring your own public adjuster makes sense and is worth the cost.
Most people that use an experienced public insurance firm such as James Public Adjusting Corporation will tell you the time saved, stress removed, and peace of mind provided when working with an experienced public adjuster is well worth the fee.