Home and business owners dread a large loss. After all, no one wants their hard-earned investments to perish in a matter of minutes. Natural disasters, however, can happen to anyone. Major ones, such as Hurricane Ian, leave widespread wreckage amounting to billions of dollars in direct property damage.
After a disaster strikes, the first step most people take is to call their insurance provider. In the face of major losses, everyone wants to ensure that they receive a fair settlement to cover the cost of repairs. How do you know you’re getting a thorough damage assessment and the correct claim payout? This is where a public adjuster becomes helpful.
A public adjuster is an independent professional who advocates for the policyholder. Public adjusters help you navigate the complex insurance claims process and ensure that you receive the correct settlement for your losses.
Unlike insurance adjusters, public adjusters are not affiliated with your insurance provider. You pay them a contingency fee that is a percentage of your claim amount. Before you hire a public adjuster, make sure your insurance company is willing to work with them.
Responsibilities of a Public Adjuster
The insurance claim process can be difficult for an ordinary individual to handle. When you hire a public adjuster, you can expect them to do the following:
- Assess the damage and come up with a comprehensive proposal for necessary repair work
- Collect and file important documents
- Serve as an intermediary between you, the insurance carrier, and lawyers or witnesses
- Negotiate on your behalf to achieve the full amount you are entitled to under your current policy
- Assist you throughout the claims process
When Should You Hire a Public Adjuster?
You should hire a public adjuster when:
- You are not familiar with the complex insurance claim process
- You're filing a claim for significant losses to your property
- You are not confident with the assessment of the insurance company
- You feel you should be receiving more than the proposed settlement
- You want a second opinion
Hiring a public adjuster may not be necessary for a small claim or if you have prior experience with filing an insurance claim. They are very helpful, however, when you have significant property damage. Public adjusters understand your policy better and they can help you receive a larger amount compared to what you can claim when you file on your own.
Where Can I Find a Good Public Adjuster?
Recommendations from family and friends can help you find a reputable public adjuster, but if you want to make sure, you can check the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters or the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters.
Respected public adjusters have good standing and pass a background check. After a huge calamity, fake adjusters can appear anywhere. It’s better to be safe than sorry! Shop around and get several estimates to find the best adjuster you can work with.
After hiring an adjuster and getting a proposal for repairs to your Pinellas County home or business, it’s time to contact a trusted restoration company nearby. At ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief, we offer a wide range of restoration and cleanup services for the residential, commercial, and insurance markets.
Don't Know What to Do Next? We Do.
ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (813) 295-7797. You can also schedule an appointment online.
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Our office is located at 400 Douglas Rd E Suite H, Oldsmar, FL 34677. Contact us for a FREE estimate.
