Public Insurance Adjusters Vs Insurance Company Adjusters

Post date: Feb 27, 2014 8:37:10 PM

If your home or business has been significantly damaged, you may need to quickly make an insurance claim. However, it isn't always best to just file with your insurance company. You may be better off contacting a public insurance adjuster rather than a company adjuster. There is a substantial difference between these professionals when it comes to the claims process.

A company adjuster represents the insurance carrier and handles claims on its behalf. As an employee of the insurance company, this type of adjuster must follow the guidelines provided by the employer. In some cases, company adjusters have very little experience or training in adjusting claims. A large number of these agents simply defend the insurance companies and delay or deny settlements.

Public adjusters work exclusively for the insurance policy holders. If you hire one, he or she will essentially be employed by you, and their responsibility will be to you rather than the insurance provider. They can document any relevant information regarding damage, assist with filing and expediting claims and offer support for dealing with insurance carriers.

One of the main differences between an insurance company adjuster and a public one is the settlement amount each representative can deliver. Your insurance provider will attempt to pay the minimum amount due to you based on the company adjuster's evaluation of the damage. Unless you can provide proof that you are owed a larger settlement, you may not receive enough to cover all repairs.

By employing a public adjuster, you may increase your chances of getting an acceptable payout. These adjusters typically have ample experience in the field, including evaluation skills and knowledge on expediting appraisals. An agent will represent you and negotiate with the insurance company for you. He or she will collect as much information as necessary in order to present a thorough claim.

Another major distinction between public and company adjusters is the time they take to complete the claims process. Preparing a claim can be complicated and time consuming, particularly if you can't decide if an offer is fair. Company adjusters don't mind delaying the process, but a public adjuster will carefully navigate your claim in the shortest amount of time possible.

Many people choose public adjusters simply based on ethics. There is a conflict of interest with insurance company adjusters that is often a red flag for clients. Company agents are paid more for eliminating or reducing claims. They are also provided bonuses if their claims remain below a specific percentage. Homeowners and business holders may seek a more fair alternative by hiring public adjusters.

A public adjuster ultimately has the claimant's best interest at heart, which can make a considerable difference when it comes to settlements. Whether you have commercial or residential property damage, your representative should quickly and fairly recoup all your losses. If you lack the time or knowledge it takes to complete a claims process, you may benefit by hiring a public adjuster.

By Robert Calisti