Public Adjuster
Public Adjuster according to Wikipedia
A public adjuster is a professional claims handler claims adjuster who advocates for the policyholder in appraising and negotiating a claimant's insurance claim.[1] Aside from attorneys and the broker of record, public adjusters licensed by state departments of insurance are the only type of claims adjuster that can legally represent the rights of an insured during an insurance claim process. A public adjuster will be most beneficial when it is clear that the insurer will pay the claim and the only issue is the proper identification and valuation of the loss. Most public adjusters charge a percentage of the settlement. Primarily they appraise the damage, prepare an estimate and other claim documentation, read the policy of insurance to determine coverages, and negotiate with the insurance company's claims handler.[2]
A public adjuster is a representative of the policyholder who advises, manages, and submits a claim to the policyholder's insurance company.
There are three classes of insurance claims adjusters: staff adjusters (employed by an insurance company or self-insured entity), independent adjusters (independent contractors hired by the insurance company) and public adjusters (employed by the policyholder). "Company" or "independent" adjusters can only legally represent the rights of an insurance company.[3]
Outside the United States adjusters are commonly called (or translated into English as) "insurance loss assessors" (or simply "loss assessors") and staff adjusters or independent adjusters are called or translated as "insurance loss adjusters" (or simply "loss adjusters").[4] However, there is a clear distinction between a loss adjuster, who works on behalf of an insurance company, and a loss assessor who works on behalf of a policyholder.
What is a Public Adjuster?
A public Adjuster is a State Licensed Adjuster that is hired directly by the Policy Holder (homeowner) instead of the Insurance Company. Public Adjusters represent the Policy Holder to the Insurance Carrier and negotiate on their behalf. A public Adjuster is required by law to look out for the best interest of the Policy Holder. This differs from an Insurance Adjuster who is required to look out for the best interest of the Insurance Company. In other words a Public Adjuster's job is to maximize the insurance claim.
What is the Difference between a Public Adjuster and an Insurence Adjuster?
There are 3 types of adjusters that are licensed in Georgia.
Company Adjuster - Hired and trained by the insurance company to represent the carrier throughout the claims process.
Company Adjusters act in the best interest of the insurence company at all times.
Independant Adjuster - Hired by the insurance company to represent the carrier throughout the claims process. Independant Adjusters act in the best interest of the insurance companies at all times. Generally Independant Adjusters work for the same insureance companies and are certified by those companies.
Public Adjuster - Hired by the policy holder to represent them throughout the process. Public Adjusters act in the best interest of the policy holder at all times.
Why do I need aPublic Adjuster?
Most insurance companies spend a lot of money to make you think you are in good hands. They want you to believe they are on your side and will act as your neighbor and in good faith. In reality your insurance company is a corporatation that looks out for it's own interests. They will do whatever they can to save as much money as possible in order to please their share holders while making you believe that they have paid everything that your policy covers.
The primary responsibility of a Public Adjuster is to make sure that you are compensated for every aspect of a loss that you have coverage for. A Public Adjuster acts in the best interest of the policy holder. That means they scour through your policy looking for specific language and use it to your benefit. They file your claim properly and submit all required documentation. They have the experience to know the typical company responces that truely have no basis in your policy. Large claims can become very complicated. We have experts certified in every type of claim.
According to a study by OPPAGA (Office of Program Policy Analysis & Goverment Accountability) in 2010 based on Flordia Citizens Insureance claims the use of a Public Adjuster can significantly increase your settlement amount. For non catatrophe claims, policy holders who used a Public Adjuster recieved an estimated $9,379.00 on their claim, compared to $1,391.00 for those policy holders that did not use a Public Adjuster, that is a difference of 547%.
Let our team of Public Adjusters take care of all your insureance claim needs. And help navigate you through the process.
