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Freqently Asked Questions
When was the last time you read and understood the insurance policy that
covers your home or business?
- Many people have difficulty understanding the technical language of the
insurance policy and the complicated procedures they must follow to comply with
the policy's terms.
- Most people do not realize that insurance company adjusters are trained
professionals who represent the interests of the insurance company which employs
them.
- You can protect your interests by employing an accredited public adjuster
whose sole responsibility is to serve you, the insured. Public adjusters are retained
for the adjustment of insured claims due to fire, wind, water, vandalism, and
other covered perils.
- The public insurance adjuster serves commercial businesses, financial
institutions, professional firms, homeowners, and the general insuring public.
If a loss occurs, you should give immediate consideration to engaging the services
of a public insurance adjuster.
What is a public insurance adjuster?
An authority on loss adjustments who you can retain to assist you in preparing,
filing, and adjusting your insurance claims.
Are they connected with insurance companies?
No. They are employed exclusively by you, for you - the policyholder- Not by the
insurance company.
How can a public insurance adjuster help me?
You will have the advantage of expert assistance based on great experience in
handling numerous technical problems. Your public insurance adjuster relieves
you of the many time-consuming and difficult matters involved in preparing and
filing a claim - and helps you to receive a prompt and fair settlement.
Can I prepare my own claim?
Sure, but it stands to reason that the Public insurance adjuster who has years
of experience and training can do so with more competence than the policyholder.
More specifically, a public insurance adjuster will assist you in the preparation
of inventories, estimates and other factual proofs of loss. He or she will handle
all the necessary details for compiling and filing claims, as required by the
terms of your insurance policies. Your public insurance adjuster will also confer,
on your behalf, with insurance company representatives and handle all matters
essential to a proper and satisfactory adjustment.
Why do I need help in filing an insurance claim?
The typical fire policy contains hundreds of provisions and stipulations - various
forms and riders that are constantly changing and many complex details about your
requirements in case of loss. Most people do not know or understand these policy
provisions - and most do not realize that the burden of proof is on them, the
policyholder. Most insurance company representatives actually prefer to work with
an experienced accredited public insurance adjuster rather than an inexperienced
insured. A public insurance adjuster not only has your confidence, but also that
of company adjusters who recognize that they are dealing with a professional.
In the event of a fire or similar destruction of property does my insurance
pay the entire loss?
This depends upon the type and amount of insurance you carry. It also depends
on your expertise or the expertise of your representative, not that of the insurance
company's adjuster. Many insurance policies may pay more than the amount shown
on the declaration page. A qualified expert working for you can determine everything
to which you are entitled under the policy provisions.
Why should I engage a public insurance adjuster to obtain what is rightfully
due to me?
Insurance companies offer to pay what is due to you as they see it. Public insurance
adjusters are your exclusive representatives. With their experience and knowledge
they are better able to obtain a more equitable settlement for you, the policyholder.
What is the extent of their responsibility?
Your public insurance adjuster assists with every phase of preparing and presenting
your claim, as well as accomplishing an adjustment for you which is equitable
and includes everything to which you are entitled under your insurance policy
How do they determine the actual loss?
They take a physical inventory, obtain all pertinent appraisals and make sure
all provisions in your policy are properly fulfilled. This often involves numerous
steps of which you may know little or nothing, but can make a significant difference
in the amount of the final adjustment.
What special help can the accredited public insurance adjuster give me with technical
questions?
They are the experts to turn to when such matters arise. They are concerned only
with your interests. Because of their broad experience and specialized knowledge,
they prepare your claim so that you can recover to the fullest extent on your
insurance coverages. There may be many questions and problems as to how the policy
provisions can be applied in different circumstances.
Will a public insurance adjuster help me receive a more prompt and satisfactory
settlement?
Yes. They lose no time in complying with the policy requirements to obtain and
evaluate the facts and prepare the claim. The alert, knowledgeable and prompt
service they render often preserves evidence that may otherwise be overlooked
or destroyed. The more thoroughly and completely your claim is compiled and prepared,
the faster your public insurance adjuster can accomplish an equitable and proper
settlement in you best interest. Once a policyholder has witnessed the skill and
knowledge of the public insurance adjuster, he or she rarely will attempt to settle
a claim without the benefit of their specialized assistance. The public insurance
adjuster's most frequent sources of new clients are the recommendations of those
they have previously served.
How much do they charge for their service?
Your public insurance adjuster's charge is a percentage of the insurance company's
settlement with you. By seeking to maximize your settlement, your public insurance
adjuster's services can save you the cost of their fees, at the very best.
In the event of a loss, what steps should I take?
Promptly report the loss to the agent or broker, or directly to the insurance
company - and immediately retain the services of an accredited public insurance
adjuster to serve you.
Do public insurance adjusters take care of claims other than fire?
Yes. They will assist you in any claims you may have due to windstorm, explosion,
and any other insured losses that are sustained (inland marine, business interruption,
rental income, improvements and betterments, commission and profit, reporting
forms, additional expense, etc.).
Do they sell insurance or act as insurance agents?
No! If they were to do so, they would become a representative of the insurance
company - and they would no longer represent you exclusively and independently.
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