Navigating Flood Damage Claims: The Benefits Of Engaging A Public Insurance Adjuster

After flood damage, you might be wondering whether to hire a public insurance adjuster. A public insurance adjuster is a licensed professional who works on behalf of the policyholder to settle a claim. They can help you evaluate the damage and ensure your insurance company pays the full amount it is responsible for. This can save you a lot of money, but it will also cost you a fee, typically a percentage of the total claim. So, should you hire one?

Well, it depends. If you trust your insurance company and feel that their adjuster is acting in your best interests, you may not need to. However, if you feel that the insurance adjuster is not including all the necessary costs for repairs in your claim, or if you are unable to come to an agreement on the amount, hiring a public adjuster may be a good idea. They can help you negotiate with the insurance company and ensure that nothing is missed in the claim settlement.

It's important to note that public adjusters typically only work on large-scale claims and may not be interested in smaller claims. Additionally, having more people involved can sometimes slow down the process, so be prepared for potential delays.

Public adjusters can help you understand the damage and its cause before filing a claim

Public adjusters are trained insurance professionals who work on behalf of the policyholder. They can help you understand the damage and its cause before filing a claim by evaluating and assessing the damage, and determining the dollar amount a claim should pay out. They can also help you understand your insurance policy, tracking the claim, filing documents, and meeting deadlines.

For example, if you have water damage, a public adjuster can help you determine the source of the water and whether it is covered by your insurance policy. They can also help you take the necessary steps to mitigate the damage and prevent further issues.

Public adjusters have experience in the field and are knowledgeable about home construction. They often have prior experience in construction or a related field, which allows them to accurately evaluate property loss. They also have expertise in the details and language of insurance policies, as well as filing and adjusting claims. This knowledge enables them to advocate for your interests and ensure you receive a fair and accurate settlement.

Overall, public adjusters can provide valuable assistance in understanding the damage and its cause, navigating the claims process, and ensuring a fair outcome.

They can help you file a claim

Public insurance adjusters are experts in the details and language of insurance policies, as well as filing and adjusting claims. They can help you file a claim by:

• Using sophisticated software to perform an independent evaluation of a client's property loss.
• Gathering highly detailed claim information that can be challenging for a policyholder to compile.
• Helping clients understand their insurance policy, tracking the claim, filing documents, and meeting deadlines.
• Acting as a liaison between the policyholder, the insurer, and any other third parties such as attorneys or witnesses.
• Helping clients negotiate with contractors and insurers.
• Logging and submitting initial and supplemental claims on a policyholder's behalf.

Having an adjuster throughout the process saves the policyholder significant time and labour, and protects them from any pitfalls due to inexperience.

They can negotiate with your insurance company

Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging for any property owner. The insurance adjuster's job is to process claims as quickly as possible, and in some cases, keep the claim payment as low as possible. This is where a public insurance adjuster comes in.

A public insurance adjuster is a licensed professional who works on behalf of the policyholder to settle a claim. They are experts in the details and language of insurance policies, as well as filing and adjusting claims. They can help you negotiate with your insurance company and ensure that you receive a fair settlement.

• Expertise and Experience: Public adjusters are experts in evaluating property loss and have experience in construction or related fields. They use sophisticated software to perform an independent evaluation of the damage and can identify hidden issues that may not be apparent to a property owner. This ensures that nothing is missed during the claim process and helps to support your case when negotiating with the insurance company.
• Unbiased Representation: Unlike the insurance company's adjuster, who works for the insurance company, a public adjuster works for you, the policyholder. Their goal is to get you the maximum payout for your claim. They will advocate for your best interests and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the claims process.
• Knowledge of Insurance Policies: Public adjusters are knowledgeable about insurance policies and can review your policy to identify all aspects of coverage that could be applied to your claim. They can help you understand the complex language and terms of your policy and ensure that you are not missing out on any benefits or coverage.
• Negotiation Skills: Public adjusters are skilled negotiators and can effectively communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. They understand the claims process and can present your claim in the best light, supporting it with detailed documentation and evidence. This can be especially useful if you feel overwhelmed or unsure about dealing directly with the insurance company.
• Time and Effort Savings: Hiring a public adjuster can save you significant time and effort by handling the entire claims process for you. They will communicate with the insurance company, gather necessary documentation, and work towards getting you a fair settlement. This allows you to focus on repairing and restoring your property.

When hiring a public insurance adjuster, it is important to consider their credentials, experience, communication skills, and reputation. It is also essential to understand their fee structure, which is typically a percentage of the total claim amount. By hiring a reputable and experienced public adjuster, you can increase your chances of receiving a fair and timely settlement from your insurance company after flood damage.

They can help you get a fair settlement

After flood damage, you might be wondering how to get a fair settlement from your insurance company. This is where a public insurance adjuster comes in. A public insurance adjuster is a licensed professional who works on behalf of the policyholder (that's you). They can help you get a fair settlement by:

• Evaluating the total loss, including building damage, contents, and additional expenses. Public adjusters often have prior experience in construction or a related field, and they use sophisticated software to perform an independent evaluation of your property loss.
• Reviewing your policy to identify all aspects of coverage that could be applied to your claim. They are experts in the details and language of insurance policies.
• Presenting the claim to your insurance carrier and negotiating with them on your behalf. They will work to get you the maximum payout for your claim.
• Helping you avoid the pitfalls that come with inexperience and ensuring you don't miss out on any costs that you can include in your claim. For example, if part of your roof is destroyed by a flood, you might miscalculate the cost of a new roof and neglect major expenses like the cost of removing the damaged roof. A public adjuster is unlikely to overlook any costs and can help you get a larger settlement claim.
• Saving you time and labour by logging and submitting initial and supplemental claims on your behalf.

While hiring a public insurance adjuster will incur a fee, they can save you a lot of money by ensuring your insurance company pays the full amount it is responsible for. If you feel that your insurance company's adjuster does not include all the necessary costs for repairs in your claim, or if you are worried about getting everything covered, a public adjuster may be a good idea.

They can save you time and labour

After flood damage, it can be challenging for property owners to work with their insurance adjusters. This is because insurance adjusters are trained to process claims as quickly as possible and to keep claim payments as low as possible.

Public insurance adjusters can save you time and labour by:

• Using sophisticated software to perform an independent evaluation of your property loss. This is something that would be challenging for a policyholder to do alone.
• Gathering highly detailed claim information. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, and a public adjuster can ensure that nothing is missed.
• Logging and submitting initial and supplemental claims on your behalf. This saves you the time and effort of having to complete and submit these forms yourself.
• Helping you negotiate with contractors and insurers. This can be a difficult and time-consuming process, especially if you don't have much experience in this area.
• Acting as your advocate throughout the claims process. This means that you don't have to deal with the insurance company directly, which can save you time and hassle.
• Helping you understand your insurance policy and track your claim. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, and a public adjuster can guide you through it.
• Helping you meet deadlines and submit the necessary documentation. This is an important part of the claims process, and a public adjuster can ensure that you don't miss any deadlines.

Frequently asked questions