What can a public insurance adjuster do for me?

How to hire a public insurance adjuster after a disaster

If you’re like most people, you probably haven’t memorized the details of your home insurance policy. But these details are important in case your property ever suffers major damage in an earthquake, fire or other disaster.
Even if you did spend time reading your policy from front to back, you may find it chock full of legalese. However, in cases of home or property damage (with the exception of cars), you can turn to public insurance adjusters to decipher your policy and help you get a fair settlement with your insurance company. Public adjusters work for both individuals and businesses, but most cater to the individual policyholder.

You probably don’t need to hire an adjuster if your home suffers a small mishap, such as minor smoke damage from a stove-top fire. But you may want to hire an adjuster if your home experiences serious damage, like earthquake or flood damage. An adjuster can arrange for a survey of the damage, estimate its cost and help you file a complex claim. He will keep track of the countless phone calls with your insurer and attend meetings. He may also help you find new living arrangements if your home is uninhabitable.

According to the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA), most states require public adjusters to be tested and licensed. In addition, public adjusters must follow state guidelines that outline their job duties and the claims process. Adjusters aren’t allowed to handle bodily injury claims, car insurance claims or third-party claims (such as a trust or an estate).

Advantages of using a public adjuster
Public claims adjusters can minimize the hassle of collecting documents and evidence and they negotiate with your insurance company. An adjuster will file the necessary paperwork with your insurer, arrange for inspections of your damaged property and haggle with your insurance company if it refuses to pay your full claim. Public adjusters also help their clients communicate effectively with their home insurance companies in order to expedite claim payments.

Choose your adjuster well
While most adjusters will be fair and honest, every profession has a few individuals who do not live up to their industry standards. A public adjuster’s fee is based on a certain percentage of the total value of your settlement.

Fair Claim Settlement