When it comes to filing an insurance claim, many homeowners and business owners feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. A public insurance adjuster is an independent insurance professional that the policyholder can hire to help resolve an insurance claim on their behalf. These licensed professionals work exclusively for the policyholder, ensuring that the payment of their claim accurately reflects the cost of repairs or replacements. Hiring a public adjuster can help simplify the process for policyholders and secure larger settlements. A public adjuster is an independent insurance professional that the policyholder can hire to help resolve an insurance claim on their behalf.
When you file a claim, your homeowners insurance company will assign you a claims adjuster. The appraiser's job is to assess property damage and determine a fair amount of payment based on the levels of coverage your policy has. Public adjusters work on behalf of policyholders, helping them understand their coverage, manage a complex claim, and keep their claim up to date. Individuals and companies hire these licensed professionals when they need help filing a claim or if they believe that the amount of the claim offered by their insurance company was incorrect. Public adjusters work for you, the policyholder, and you pay them.
In addition, the public assessor will take a close look at your claim and help ensure that no damage is overlooked. It's best to hire a public appraiser if you're dealing with claims over $10,000 or if you're not sure what your insurance policy covers with respect to your claim. Verify that the public appraiser is a member of your state's trade association, which will have codes of ethics. A report by the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA) reported that homeowners who hired their own insurance claims adjuster received a higher payment from their insurers. To hire a public appraiser, you can start by searching your state directory through the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. Research your state's rules to find out if there are limits on what a public appraiser can charge.
To avoid complications and potential errors, many business owners and homeowners hire public appraisers to handle their insurance claims. If you file a claim and receive a proposed insurance settlement that seems unfair to you, you may be thinking of hiring an attorney who can help you contest an insurance claim. A public adjuster can help you reopen a claim with the insurer and file a supplemental claim for additional payments. Therefore, of all the classes of insurance claims adjusters, public adjusters are the only ones who have nothing to do with working on behalf of the insurance company. The best time to hire a public claims adjuster is before you file the claim or at the beginning of the claims process. While it's not always necessary to hire a public appraiser, doing so will make the insurance process much less stressful for you as the policyholder.
