Public insurance adjusters were created by their respective states To help level the playing field with the insurance carrier and provide the policyholder an expert advocate
- The public adjuster helps manage the claim
- They make sure claim filing requirements are met
- They help recover the amount a policyholder deserves under their insurance contract
Hire a Public Adjuster Before Filing Your Insurance Claim
It’s always best to get a public adjuster involved as early in the process as possible. Preferably, before you ever file the claim with your insurance carrier, before you sign anything presented to you by your insurance carrier that you are not totally comfortable with, before meeting with an insurance adjuster and before making a recorded statement. Always remember that the insurance carriers team represents the best interest of the insurance company. Focus Claims represents your best interest.
Use the Following Criteria to Determine if You Need a Public Adjuster
- The public adjuster helps manage the claim
- They make sure claim filing requirements are met
- They help recover the amount a policyholder deserves under their insurance contract
You Don’t Have the Time to Deal with the Demands of the Insurance Company
People already have full lives. They work and have family commitments and may not want to deal with the stress of trying to get a claim processed and paid.
You don’t understand your policy
Insurance contracts can sometimes be confusing documents leaving individuals unsure of their coverage. Turning to your insurance agent for clarifications can sometimes help. But if you cannot understand your policy, consider asking a public adjuster like Focus Claims for help. Most reputable public adjusters will review your loss with no obligation.
You Don’t Have the Expertise
Filing an insurance claim (especially with extensive and complicated damages) can be daunting. Get help if you are confused and avoid mistakes that might affect your settlement.
Your Damage is Extensive
Severe property damage creates a variety of complicated claims issues. Claims that you are due under your policy and certain types of damages can often be missed. Certain expenses may also be placed in the wrong claims categories. Identifying hidden structural damage, valuing your loss properly and accounting for possessions and valuables can impact the value of your claim.
The insurance carrier is offering a quick payoff
Insurance company research shows that the quicker a policyholder gets paid-off the happier they are. Unfortunately, what appears to be great customer service can sometimes be an attempt to get rid of a claim and get you to settle for less money due to the stress and desire to “get it over with.” Our only advice here is to take your time and make sure you are protected. You should not be rushed or forced to sign anything until you understand the true impact a claim can have.
The Insurance Carrier Appears to be Delaying Your Claim
This often happens when major catastrophes create claims log-jams. In many cases, we have seen insurance companies fly in adjusters from out of state who do not understand state law. In all states, insurance carriers are required to respond to you and process your claim in a specified time period. If you are getting the run-around, get help.
The Insurance Carriers Settlement Offer Appears to be Inadequate
Unfortunately, insurance company adjusters and carriers do not always act in the best interest of their policyholders. They are in business to turn a profit and may value damages to your property differently than you. Or they may determine that you are not covered for some of the damage. Sometimes offers will not even approach the value of restoring the damaged property. This is where an expert who uses the same estimating software as the insurance carrier and understands insurance policy language can help.
Your Insurance Claims Adjuster is Discouraging you From Hiring a Public Adjuster
Insurance claims representatives that are afraid to deal with a licensed professional may be a red flag. You should be the only one determining if hiring your own public adjuster makes sense and is worth the cost.
