How Public Adjusters Can Help You Navigate Accidental Damage Claims
Accidental damage can happen at any time. Unforeseen circumstances such as a burst pipe, fallen tree, or fire can leave a property owner feeling lost. You, as the homeowner, need to know how to submit a homeowners claim. Insurance is hard to understand, and filing an insurance claim can be daunting and overwhelming.
This is where a public adjuster can help.
Whether novice or expert, we’ll help educate you on questions like “What is a public adjuster?”, “Why use a public adjuster?”, and “What a public adjuster’s role is in accidental damage claims?”
What is a public adjuster?
A public adjuster is a professional who advocates for you — the policyholder — to ensure you receive a fair settlement from your insurance company. As a licensed professional who works for you, they are able to negotiate insurance claims.
There are multiple types of adjuster, so making sure you have a public adjuster is necessary. You might work with an insurance company adjuster who works for your insurance company. Or you might work with an independent adjuster hired by your insurance company. In both cases, these adjusters are advocates for the insurance company, no matter what their name implies.
Knowing what a public adjuster is is vital to making sure you understand the role of people you work with in an unforeseen circumstance.
Why use a public adjuster?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, “Each year, about one in 18 insurance homes has a claim.” This statistic alone is reason enough to make sure you know what a public adjuster is so you can reach out when you need their help.
This is also a good reason why you want to use a public adjuster or have a relationship with one. Then, when times get tough, you know who you can call on to help you. There are many reasons why you want to have a public adjuster on your side.
Expertise and knowledge
A public adjuster is valuable to you not only for their loyalty but also for their extensive knowledge of policies, claims, processes, and the intricacies involved in evaluating damages. A public adjuster can decipher the often-confusing language of insurance contracts and ensure that all covered damages are accounted for in the claim.
Maximizing settlements
Studies have shown that policyholders who use public adjusters often receive higher settlements than those who do not. Public adjuster’s role in an accidental damage claim is to understand your policy and be able to negotiate on your behalf. They know how to present a claim to maximize the payout.
An experienced public adjuster can further assist in disputing denied or underpaid claims.
Time saving
Filing an insurance claim involves a significant amount of time and effort. It can be confusing and time intensive. When you hire a public adjuster, they handle all the paperwork, communications, and negotiations.
This allows policyholders to focus on other important matters. You can focus on recovery, daily activities, and other responsibilities without the stress of managing a claim. This peace of mind is so valuable with an advocate on your side fighting for you.
Fair representation
As their name indicates, a public adjuster works for you. This is a big reason why it’s beneficial to hire them when you need help submitting an accidental damage claim.
A public adjuster has your best interests in mind. Their primary goal is to ensure you are treated fairly while receiving the maximum settlement. A public adjuster provides unbiased work and represents you to obtain the best possible outcome with fair treatment and full commitment.
What is a public adjuster’s role in accidental damage claims?
Public adjusters handle a variety of tasks.
- Review and analyze insurance policies to determine coverage
- Assess the extent of the damage to the property
- Document and substantiate every aspect of the claim
- Negotiate with the insurance company to ensure fair and equitable settlement
Let’s go over the execution process for each of these tasks.
Initial assessment and policy review
First, a public adjuster will thoroughly examine the insurance policy, including the agreement for indemnification, between the policyholder and the insurance company. This assessment verifies what benefits are due to the policyholder for the incurred loss. In other words, it ensures you understand exactly what damages your policy plan covers.
Part of a public adjuster’s assessment includes inspecting and documenting the damage. They investigate, record, and validate property damages. Without this, you cannot submit a claim because there is no proof to support it.
Claim preparation
With all documentation and foundational information prepared, public adjusters can prepare the claim paperwork and provide the insurance company with required details according to the terms of the policy. The public adjuster will provide the insurance company with a notice of loss.
Another reason why you should use a public adjuster is that after they evaluate the full extent of losses to your property, they can calculate an estimated amount needed to cover all the damages. Their expertise helps ensure nothing is overlooked.
Claim negotiation
Last but not least, a public adjuster will negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company. They negotiate the scope of the loss with insurance representatives on your behalf. This negotiation can influence the end result for your settlement guaranteeing you receive as much as you can for your settlement.
Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters states “public adjusters often recover up to 30% more from the insurance company than the amounts previously offered to policyholders without the benefit of representation.”
Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters can help you
After this, hopefully you know what a public adjuster is, why you should use a public adjuster and how they are helpful in accidental damage claims.
If you’re dealing with accidental damage and need assistance, Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters are here to help. With more than 50 years of experience in construction and disaster restoration, the company understands the need for policyholders to have representation for quickly and fairly settled insurance claims.
Contact Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters today to discuss what support you need.
