Public Adjuster: A licensed public insurance claims adjuster who represents the interest of the policyholder.
Independent Adjuster: An insurance claims adjuster who represents the interest of the insurance company.
When damage happens to your home, commercial building or property, the first thing you do is call the insurance company and hope your policy covers the damages. Then, the company's insurance adjuster either visits the site or recommends you have a contractor give you an estimate for repairs. The insurance adjuster will more than likely take the contractor's estimate and make a payment to you. Why? Because the insurance company knows that the contractor's estimate is not as detailed (nuts and bolts) as what is required to make an exact cost estimate, leaving money that could be yours on the table. The customer also does not know that other monies are owed to them, because there are other items in their policy that would add money to their claim check. Insurance law and policy is confusing which gives the advantage to the insurance company.
It is said that allowing full trust in an insurance company to pay everything that is owed to the policyholder is like going to court without a lawyer.
The benefits to hiring a public adjuster are many. For one, the monetary settlements when using a public adjuster average 50-100% higher than the insurance company's adjuster. Secondly, the public adjuster knows building codes, construction estimating, and insurance policy, therefore, he does all the speaking and negotiating for you; allowing you to lead your life normally. The public adjuster does not get paid unless you do (10% max).
When do I call a public adjuster? When you feel your insurance company did not pay you fairly.
Will my insurance company retaliate because I hired a public adjuster? It is punishable and against the law for any insurance carrier to discriminate or punish the policyholder for hiring third party representation.
Will my premiums go up? Anytime a policyholder makes a claim, the risk for insurability goes up. It's natural for any business such as an insurance company to raise their fee when a risk becomes riskier. That's why if the client is going to make a claim with the insurance company, it's worthwhile to go after all the money that's owed to you. Premiums do not necessarily always go up, however.
Types of insurance claims we perform:
Hail Damage
Water leak damage
Fire
Smoke
High wind & Tornado
Thunderstorms
Lightning
Theft and vandalism
Explosions
Building collapse
