What the Press Has to Say About Public Adjusters
… If you reach an impasse, consider a public adjuster, who will negotiate for you for a fee, usually 10 percent of the payout. A Florida study of 76,000 claims suggests that it’s money well spent: Policyholders who used a public adjuster settled with their insurance company for 19 to 747 percent more on hurricane-related losses than those who didn’t. …
Consumer Reports
Homeowner Insurance Buying Guide
… Most homeowners, it turns out, have only a vague idea of what their homeowners insurance actually covers. Once a claim is filed, the insurance company will send over an independent adjuster to evaluate the claim. But these independent adjusters aren’t so independent. Their job is to represent the insurance company’s interests first, and yours second. After all, the insurance company is paying the independent adjuster. …
So when disaster strikes, it may very well be worth hiring a professional public adjuster as your advocate in an insurance claim. These adjusters specialize in combing over your damaged property and your homeowners policy, and they make sure the insurer doesn’t snake away from a valid claim. Public adjusters many times are veteran insurance company claims adjusters who know how insurance companies operate and have expertise in negotiating property claims to make sure you get the most out of your policy.
‘… If you have any sort of significant homeowner property claim, we recommend that you not file a claim without having a public adjuster to represent your interests,’ says Paul Cohen [founder of New York-based consumer advocacy Web site Fight Bad-Faith Insurance Companies].
The Wall Street Journal Online
Why Insurance Mediators Help When Disaster Strikes
…Many homeowners don’t fully understand their property insurance policies and are at a disadvantage when negotiating with insurers about repairs needed after a fire, theft, hurricane or other disaster. …
This week, Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw plans to make legislative recommendations on how to speed up claims—based on several forums he held recently to address complaints from consumers about the process.
Shaw wants consumers to hire reputable, licensed public adjusters when help is needed with complicated claims. Consumers should be clear on the fee and what it includes, he said.
‘Most of the time, I’d argue [insurance companies] do the right thing, but for those times they don’t, you’d sure like to have a public adjuster there fighting for you,’ he said. …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Public Insurance Adjusters: An Alternative to Helping Policyholders Win Claims
Julie Patel
… Public claims adjusters can minimize the hassle of collecting documents and evidence and they negotiate with your insurance company. An adjuster will file the necessary paperwork with your insurer, arrange for inspections of your damaged property and haggle with your insurance company if it refuses to pay your full claim.
Public adjusters also help their clients communicate effectively with their home insurance companies in order to expedite claim payments. …
Insure.com
How to Hire a Public Insurance Adjuster After a Disaster
… Public adjusters assume all of the duties necessary to get your claim processed, including making an inventory of the loss and presenting your case to the insurance company. A good public adjuster has experience in the industry and will understand your contract and the company’s responsibilities right down to the fine print. In exchange, a public adjuster receives a percentage of your claim.
‘For the most part, people like using (a public) adjuster because they like the idea that someone is working on their behalf versus someone working on behalf of the company,’ says P.J. Crowley, Vice President of the Insurance Information Institute. …
Bankrate.com
Do You Need Your Own Claims Adjuster?
Dana Dratch
… Public adjusters are experts, employed by you, who are trained to understand how insurance companies deal with the complex policy requirements. One way to assure that you receive all that is rightfully and legally yours if a disaster occurs, is to hire a public insurance adjuster. …
A public adjuster is an individual with expertise in the area of insurance adjusting. Many people see the word ‘public’ and automatically associate public adjusters with the government. The title ‘public adjuster’ is used to distinguish them from the insurance adjusters and because they represent you, the public. …
Disaster Recovery Journal
When a Property Loss Occurs, Who is in Control?
Susan Plizga
… The Florida State Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability issued a report last year that looked at the relationship between public adjusters, policyholders and the state-run Citizens Property Insurance program—an insurer established for those otherwise unable to afford or get coverage—in the wake of the 2005 hurricane season.
That audit found that policyholders who retained public adjusters for their claims got 747% higher compensation than those working solely with their insurance company. For non-hurricane claims, policyholders got 574% higher compensation. …
Yahoo! Finance
Six Ways to Get the Most from Insurance Claims
Joe Mont—TheStreet.com
… When there is a dispute over a claim, the burden of proof is on the insured. A public adjuster will document the loss, gather supporting replacement cost information and negotiate with the insurance company to maximize your settlement. …
CBS MoneyWatch
When to Hire a Pro to Settle an Insurance Claim
Ray Martin—CBSNews.com
A public adjuster works for the homeowner, not for the insurance company. The homeowner pays a public adjuster, usually as a portion of the claim. Insurance settlements usually are bigger, but don’t expect a miracle.
Filing an insurance claim after a disaster is a stressful process. To avoid having to deal with the hassle, and with hopes of getting more money from the insurance company, many homeowners seek the help of a public adjuster.
A public adjuster is an insurance claims specialist who interprets the homeowner’s policy, assesses the damage and how much it will cost to repair, and negotiates with the insurance company on behalf of the homeowner until the claim is settled. …
Bankrate.com
Insurance: Hiring a Public Adjuster
Polyana da Costa
… Hiring a public claims adjuster can put you on an even playing field with your insurance company. Your insurer may assign three different adjusters to work on your claim: one for ‘additional living expenses,’ one for your personal property and one for the building portion of your claim. A public adjuster will be able to explain the process and work on your behalf handling the countless meetings, e-mails, phone calls and paper documents that flow for a large claim. …
Insure.com
Secrets of Public Insurance Adjusters: What They Know
About Insurance Companies That You Don’t
Getting a fair settlement from your home insurer? Consult a public insurance adjuster to find out. Insurers—smarting from stock market losses—are pressuring their claims adjusters to keep damage claim payouts at or below the industry average. A public insurance adjuster safeguards the interests of the consumer. …
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