Damage to your property can be mentally disturbing, further aggravated by the fact that you now have to file a claim with the insurance company for a fair payout. The insurance companies try their best to pay you as little as possible, which could lead to you bearing some repair costs out of pocket.
So, let’s discuss what public adjusters — who run an industry worth $230.69 billion—do to manage different insurance claims and how they help homeowners.
What is a Public Adjuster?
A public adjuster is a trained insurance professional that helps homeowners manage home damage insurance claims. The adjuster’s job is to evaluate the damage to your home and quote a fair amount based on the coverage level that can help recover the damages and build back correctly. Before we go any further, it is vital to understand the differences between insurance company adjusters and public adjusters.
An insurance company adjuster works on behalf of the company and tries to get as little compensation as possible. On the other hand, a public adjuster works on behalf of the policyholder and tries to get fair compensation. Florida public adjusters are also more thorough in their analysis because they’re highly trained and want to assess the damages deeply for fair compensation.
What Does a Public Adjuster Exactly Do?
It is crucial to understand what public adjusters do before moving further. A public adjuster works on the policyholder’s behalf to get proper compensation, and here’s what their job might include:
- Evaluating damages and the repairing costs alongside the time needed to complete the process.
- Guiding you through the insurance policy, dealing with the documentation, filing, and tracking the claim.
- Liaising between you and the insurer and other third parties such as attorneys.
- Negotiating with the insurance company to secure a reasonable outcome is also crucial in what public adjusters do.
When Should You Hire a Public Adjuster?
Although there are no hard rules as to when you should hire a public adjuster, some circumstances do require you to think about hiring one:
- Your property or home has suffered significant damage, and you’re filing a large claim. A public adjuster will help you justify your claim by presenting the evidence correctly.
- You don’t fully trust the insurer’s adjuster and want a fairer assessment of the situation.
- If you have had poor experiences with insurance companies in the past.
- You’re too busy and want someone else who is competent to handle your case.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Public Adjuster in Florida?
The total fees a Florida Public Adjuster Service charges depend on the size of your claim. Usually, they will take a small chunk of the entire insurance claim as a fee, which can be as little as 3% and as large as 30%. For instance, if the total claim is $200,000 and your adjuster charges 10%, their payout will be $20,000.
However, a Public Adjuster Service might have other fee structures, such as hourly or flat rates. The cost of a public adjuster also depends on your location. It’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes from different adjusters to know which one’s the most suitable for you.
Conclusion
Now that you know what public adjusters do, you’re in a much better position to hire a competent one. With over 132,106 public adjusters in the United States, it can take time to pick the right one. However, if you live in Florida and plan to file an insurance claim, Florida Claims Advisors can help you get the best compensation from your insurer.
Our efficient and professional services have helped more than 3,000 families in Florida. We are always committed to helping you, so fill out this form and get a free inspection from competent Florida Claim Advisors.