Public Adjusters are experts on property loss adjustment who are retained by policyholders to assist in preparing, filing and adjusting insurance claims. Employed exclusively by a policyholder who has sustained an insured loss, these professionals manage every detail of the claim, working closely with the insured to provide the most equitable and prompt settlement possible. A public adjuster inspects the loss site immediately, analyzes the damages, assembles claim support data, reviews the insured’s coverage, determines current replacement costs and exclusively serves the client, not the insurance company.
A public insurance adjuster will work on your behalf to maximize your property damage claim and your settlement for damages. In addition, you can expect the insurance company to send their own adjuster to evaluate the damage. This adjuster is there to find the details that will work in the insurance company’s favor, while a public insurance adjuster works for you. A good public insurance adjuster stays abreast of changes in insurance policies and laws, and is familiar with the variety of documents and forms involved in filing an insurance claim.
The Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability (OPPAGA) compared the amount of money recovered on claims WITH public adjusters VS. claims WITHOUT a public adjuster. This is what they found:
Policyholders who hired public adjusters for non-catastrophe claims received 574% more money. Policyholders who hired public adjusters for Hurricane claims received 747% more money.
Evaluate existing insurance policies in order to determine what coverage may be applicable to a claim
Research, detail, and substantiate damage to buildings and contents and any additional expenses
Evaluate business interruption losses and extra expense claims for businesses
Determine values for settling covered damages
Prepare, document and support the claim on behalf of the insured
Negotiate a settlement with the insurance company on behalf of an insured
- Re-open a claim and negotiate for more money if a discrepancy is found after the claim has been settled
