Who Are Public Insurance Adjusters and What Do They Do?

If you ever had to deal with an insurance company, then you know how frustrating and perhaps intimidating the entire process can be. The good news is that you can hire someone to work on your behalf to handle your claim. These professionals are known as public insurance adjusters. After you finish reading this article, make sure to contact the professionals at Claims XP. The Claims XP team has been handling cases with true professionalism and work in a timely fashion to recover what you have lost. Here is a look at who they are and what they do.

Who are Public Insurance Adjusters?

A public insurance adjuster is a licensed professional who can act on your behalf when you are dealing with an insurance company. Public insurance adjusters are licensed by your state and charge a fee.

What is the Difference Between a Public Insurance Adjuster and an Insurance Company Adjuster? 

An insurance company adjuster is provided by your insurance company, at no charge, to handle your insurance claim. A public insurance adjuster is someone whom you hire to act and advocate on your behalf. The adjuster will charge of fee which is usually about 15% of the claim.

Can a Public Insurance Adjuster Get Me More Money from My Claim?

A public insurance adjuster can help you get the full amount of money that is stated on your policy. However, a public insurance adjuster cannot help you get any more money which is stated on your policy.

Examples of Using a Public Insurance Adjuster

A public adjuster can help you with a number of different policies. Here are two examples on how a public adjuster can help you in particular situations.

CAR INSURANCE 

Let’s say that you have a classic car that has a $50,000 policy on it. The vehicle is totaled in an accident and your insurance company is only willing to pay $35,000 of the $50,000. You hire an insurance adjuster who will work for a 10% fee. The adjuster is able to get you a full $50,000 payout for the policy. The adjuster gets his 10% fee of $5,000 and your end up receiving $45,000 instead of the previously offered $35,000 from the policy.

DISASTER INSURANCE 

Your home is destroyed in a wildfire. The home has a disaster policy of $500,000. However, the insurance company is only willing to pay $400,000 from the policy. You hire an adjuster who is willing to work for a 7% fee. The adjuster is able to get you a full $500,000 payout from the policy. The public adjuster receives his $35,000 fee and you receive $465,000 instead of the previously offered $400,000. Note that most states have fee limits that public adjusters can charge when it comes to disaster claims.

When to Hire a Public Insurance Adjuster? 

The best time to hire a public adjuster is when you are dealing with a major insurance claim such as the total loss of a house. Many insurance companies will try to avoid a complete payout. A public adjuster will work on your behalf to show that the insurance company is obligated to pay the full amount of the policy.

How to Hire the Right Public Insurance Adjuster 

You want to make sure that you hire the right person to advocate on your behalf on a major insurance claim. Here are some tips on how to hire the right public adjuster.

CHECK REFERENCES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Be sure to check the references and the qualifications of anyone that you are considering as a public adjuster. Check to make sure that they are licensed in your state. Also, ask for references from previous clients to see how they handled your claim.

AVOID ANY PUBLIC ADJUSTER THAT USES PRESSURE TACTICS

There are some public adjusters who may try to pressure you into hiring them. You may be under a significant amount of stress if you are dealing with an insurance company that is not trying to pay you your full policy amount. However, you need to stand your ground and only hire a public adjuster that you trust.

BE WARY OF DOOR-TO-DOOR ADJUSTERS AFTER A DISASTER 

Some public adjusters will go door-to-door after a disaster looking for a business. Avoid these types of adjusters who may not be properly qualified to handle your claim.

Public Adjusters Are a Policy Holder’s Best Friend

When dealing with insurance companies, it is a good idea to have a knowledgeable expert on your side. That’s why a public insurance adjuster may be just what you need in certain situations. Be sure to contact the professionals at Claims XP. They can be reached at 800-414-1974 and will be able to answer any questions you may have.

REFERENCE:

https://www.iii.org/article/what-public-adjuster