What Is A Public Adjuster?
A public adjuster is an independent professional that a policyholder may hire to help settle an insurance claim on his or her behalf.
They are licensed professionals who work for individuals and businesses – not insurance companies – and can save policyholders a lot of money by ensuring that their insurance company is paying the full amount it is responsible for under the policy.
Public insurance adjusters are experts in the details and language of insurance policies, as well as at filing and adjusting claims. They work on a contingency-fee basis, which means if public adjusters do not recover on the policyholder’s behalf, nothing is owed to them.
What Is the Difference Between a Public Adjuster and an Insurance Adjuster?
There are many differences between an insurance adjuster, also generally known as an independent adjuster, and a public adjuster, but the fundamental difference is the former is paid by the insurance company to assess your damages and estimate your claim, while the latter is hired by — and directly works for you — the insurance policyholder.
When a policyholder suffers damage to their property and opens a claim with the insurance company, a licensed professional will examine your insurance policy and estimate the full scope of property damage.
Insurance aka “Independent Adjusters”
When the insurance company appoints an adjuster — who typically will introduce themselves as “independent” adjusters to appear impartial — to review your claim, they are working directly for the insurance company, which means they have a vested interest in minimizing your possible payout.
Their job is to provide a settlement that will satisfy your property damage.
However, during the process, they may overlook losses that are not obvious, leading to future expenses that will not be covered by your policy.
The insurance adjuster has a legal obligation to uphold the portion of the coverage under the terms and conditions determined by the adjuster. Unfortunately, he or she will evaluate the language in your policy in a way that benefits their employer: the insurance company.
Public Adjusters
A licensed, certified public adjuster carefully examines your insurance policy and estimates the full scope of property damage.
Public adjusters initiate an in-depth investigation that includes a truly independent and comprehensive appraisal of property damages that does not focus on the insurance company’s best interests.
Anyone considering filing a property insurance claim should also think about hiring a public adjuster, especially if the claim is for a high amount.
As a policyholder, you have little to lose: Many public adjustment firms offer to visit a property loss free of charge to help a policyholder determine the severity of damage and whether they should file an insurance claim.