When to call a public adjuster?
When you need a home repair, you will probably be anxious to call your insurance company to get the problem taken care of right away. However, you should know that insurance companies are for-profit businesses that want to keep their money in-house. They may try to pay you a settlement that is less than you deserve, or they may try to get out of paying you on a technicality. Before you contact your insurance company, you may want to contact a public adjuster.
What is a public adjuster?
When you file an insurance claim, an insurance adjuster will review the documentation you have provided to them. If you have already paid for the repair and are seeking reimbursement, they will do a line-by-line estimate of the bill to make sure that all of the charges are legitimate.
If you have yet to get the repairs done, they will look at the estimate you have received and contact the contractor who gave you that estimate to verify it. They will also look at pictures and videos of the damage to your house to make sure everything you are claiming is legitimate.
A public adjuster has the same training and level of knowledge as an adjuster employed by an insurance company, but they work for claimants rather than insurance companies. You will simply visit a public adjuster’s website and fill out a claim form with them before you contact your insurance company.
Not only can a public adjuster help you file your claim and analyze the evidence that you have collected, but they can also help you with other elements of your homeowner’s insurance claim. A public adjuster in Colorado can:
- Gather evidence for you.
- Attend meetings with the insurance company on your behalf.
- Negotiate with the insurance company for you over the phone.
- Help you find accommodations if your home is uninhabitable.
Although it is best to contact a public adjuster, before you contact your insurance company, you can call them after you have made your claim. You may find yourself needing an adjuster if you are having problems with the paperwork or if the insurance company offers you too little money.
What kind of training do they have?
Both public adjusters and those who work for insurance companies have extensive training and plenty of experience. Unlike many other states, Colorado does not require adjusters to be licensed. Hence, it is important to ask questions when hiring a public adjuster.
You should ask a company you are considering hiring what kind of experience they have and if you can get references. Ask them if they have experience negotiating with insurance companies.
Although a license is not required, they can still obtain one from the state of Florida. They can also join professional organizations such as the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters.
If you have had a home fire, you should never hire an adjuster who shows up right behind the fire trucks. This kind of ambulance chasing is a violation of state law.
What does it cost?
When you click hopepublicadjusters.com, you will discover that public adjusters generally charge a percentage of your final settlement. 15% is the national average.
You have worked hard to make your house a comfortable place. When you have an emergency and need home repair, you should rest assured that you will get the money you need to take care of the repair and maintain your comfort level.
