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10 Questions to ask when finding a Public Adjuster
1. How long have they been in business?
As with anything, the longer you have been doing it, the more expertise you gain. So, whether someone is a brand-new Public Adjuster or part of a team, you will want someone who has experience in the industry on your side. With insurance claims, there are so many variables and different scenarios that you will come across. The more claims an adjuster, or team of adjusters, have under their belt, the more likely they are to have solutions for anything that might come up in your claim.
2. Are they an individual Public Adjuster or a part of team?
A Public Adjuster can operate individually or as part of a team. Since insurance claims have so many variables, it’s ideal to have a Public Adjuster who has a team they work with. They will be able to combine their experience and knowledge to get you the best settlement outcome. If you choose to work with a Public Adjuster who operates on their own, you should find out if they have prior experience working with a team where they’ve had the opportunity to gain some knowledge of the various scenarios that can arise with a claim.
3. Who will be working on my claim?
Whether you are working with an individual Public Adjuster or with a Public Adjusting Firm, it’s good to know who is working on your claim and who your point of contact should be. Within a firm, there is a team who works together throughout your claim whereas, an individual Public Adjuster will likely be the only person working on your claim unless they hire third parties to do their estimating. Be sure to know who your best point of contact is so that if you have any questions or emergent situations during your claim, you can reach the best person to assist most efficiently.
4. Are they licensed in your state?
Just like with insurance, a Public Adjuster must be licensed with each state that they practice in. Be sure to confirm with your Public Adjuster that they are licensed to work in your state, otherwise they will not be able to properly represent you with the insurance company.
5. Do they have good reviews or references?
Good reviews and references are a must when choosing someone to help during a loss. Filing an insurance claim is stressful enough, you want someone on your side that you can trust will have your best interest in mind. The best way to ensure you have made a good choice is to see firsthand what others have to say about their experience with your adjuster.
6. Do they have experience with claims like yours?
No two insurance claims are created equally. The claims process differs with each type of loss. It’s always a good idea to find out if your Public Adjuster has experience in claims with the same type of loss that you have so that they are well versed in all documents, policies, and procedures for that particular claim’s process.
7. Can I stay involved with my claim?
Each Public Adjuster or Public Adjusting firm will have different rules for this. Some like to handle all aspects on their own and keep the communication between just the PA and the insurance, while others welcome the policyholder to be involved. There is no right or wrong here, it’s just the preference of the policyholder. It’s a good idea to find a Public Adjuster who operates whichever way is best for you.
8. Who will be the payee on my claim checks?
Claim checks are made out to anyone who holds interest in the claim /or property. So, the check will be made payable to the policyholder, the Public Adjuster, and the mortgage company, if there is one. It’s important to make sure that your mortgage payments are up to date because they will hold on to a portion of the claim check to cover any missed payments.
9. What is the cost of hiring a Public Adjuster?
This cost will vary among Public Adjusters but is typically met on a percentage basis. The percentage ranges typically from 10-30% of the claim’s settlement amount and is typically taken from the claim proceeds. This can vary depending on the state or the type of loss that you have experienced. Discuss this with your Public Adjuster before signing an agreement.
10. Am I able to terminate the agreement before my claim is finalized? What is the cost?
Terminating your agreement prior to a settlement will be dependent on each Public Adjuster’s agreement. Be sure to read over your agreement and ask any questions you may have prior to signing.
