What Does a Public Adjuster Do?

A public adjuster is the only type of insurance adjuster specifically licensed to represent you, the insured. Their main responsibility involves protecting you and your interests in claims against a loss with the Insurance Company.

In the US, there are currently 44 states, including the District of Columbia, that requires an adjuster to hold this license to represent the insured.

According to the National Association of Public Insurance Agents or NAPIA, public adjusters are defined as professionals employed exclusively by a policy holder that has sustained or experienced an insured loss. They manage every detail of the claim, work closely with the insured to make sure they are able to provide the most equitable and prompt settlement as possible. Public adjusters inspect the loss site right away, check the damages, collect claim support data, review the insured’s coverage, determine current replacement costs, and serves the client exclusively, instead of the insurance company.

What do Public Adjusters Do?

If you are overwhelmed with the process of determining what coverages you have, and also calculating the amount of your loss, it might be better for you to speak with a Public Insurance Adjuster.

Insurance policies can be very complicated and sometimes difficult to understand. Coverage is usually excluded in one section of the policy and then granted back to the insurer in another section. The insured must also meet all of the policy conditions so they can be paid their claim. If you have ever experienced a loss and have gone through the claims process, you already know how daunting this ordeal can be.

After a disaster or a loss, however, insurance companies often discourage claimants from hiring a Public Adjuster. Why? Because they do not want the insured or claimant to be on an even playing field. Many insurance companies want to be in control of the situation and try to minimize claims payments as much as possible. Public Adjusters, on the other hand, are there to maximize an insured’s claims payments.

Public Adjusters help the insured, or claimant, in getting their life back. Rather than wasting time and effort in fighting with the insurance company, your Public Adjuster will do all the fighting in your stead. A good Public Insurance Adjuster works to maximize your time so you can get your daily life, family life, and your work life in order. They work hard to get your home and possessions as close as possible to the state they were in prior to the loss or disaster.

Experienced Public Insurance Adjusters are familiar with the local insurance companies, their representatives, and their regional adjusters. It’s possible that they have worked together in the past and can effectively come up with a plan that can maximize the claimant’s insurance claim payment without the need to engage in heated discussions or arguments.

Insurance companies are aware that Public Adjusters know the ins and outs of insurance policies and negotiations, which is why they are more likely to present you with larger, more accurate, and acceptable offers. Like most business negotiations, the easier and more professional the discussion, the more the settlement will be in the favor of the policyholder.

How a Good Public Adjuster Can Help You and Your Family

One of the biggest challenges in negotiating a settlement that is acceptable to all parties involved in an insurance claim is emotion and anger. For the claimant that has experienced a devastating loss, this is a very emotional time. You and your family may feel anger, confusion and devastation.

The emotional roller coaster you experience during this period can tear you and your family apart. Add the stress of compiling all necessary costs and negotiating with the insurance company and their adjusters, and you will find yourself in an even more stressful environment.

Fortunately, you do not have to suffer through the indignity of answering endless questions from insurance claims representatives. When you work with a Public Adjuster, you will be saving yourself a great deal of emotional stress.

Many insurance policy holders who have gone through a claims process swear that the using a Public Insurance Adjuster has greatly helped them get the money they deserve. Getting a huge payout is great, but the best part of the insurance claim is helping claimants get back on their feet and live their lives well again. A good Public Insurance Adjuster will make sure you don’t sign documents that you shouldn’t sign. They’ll also make sure that you keep the right documentation of your expenses. They work hard to make sure you don’t make any mistakes that will negatively impact your claim.

Good and experienced Public Adjusters understand their client’s fears and anger. They will not cut you off or invalidate your emotions. A good Public Insurance Adjuster takes time to listen to you and they will make things easier for you as possible while the claim adjustment is underway.

Why Do Property Owners Need a Public Adjuster?

Public Adjusters can take away the stress and major headaches claimants have following a loss. They help individuals and businesses get back on their feet. A typical fire or flood policy usually involves hundreds of provisions and stipulations, constantly changing forms and endorsements. Many complicated details and information such as inventory and appraisals and real estate evaluations that are usually necessary in case of a loss. Many policyholders do not understand that the burden of proof is theirs. Public Insurance Adjusters know the insurance business pretty well and know the procedures to quickly expedite payments.

When you work with a good Public Insurance Adjuster, you will get properly compensated for your losses (insured), and you will also be able to avoid much of the conflict, anger, and sadness that you feel when adjusting an insurance claim by yourself. Consider your family, consider your job. Do you have the time and energy to deal with the mind games insurance companies play? A good Public Adjuster will make sure you get what you are owed and can even save your career and family by not taking up most of your time.