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Using A Public Claims Adjuster

Dealing with insurance companies can be extremely taxing, especially after a significant life-altering incident such as a fire or a flood, so sometimes it makes sense for you to hire a public claims adjuster to help you deal with the insurance companies. These are the big boys, helping people find alternative living arrangements, taking a survey of the damage, and handling the filing of claims and you generally won’t need them for minor incidents. If the incident significantly impacts your life and you think you need serious help, a public claims adjuster is who you should turn too.

The advantage of using a public claims adjuster is that the adjuster knows the claims process for your state inside and out. They can get you a quick response because they know exactly what they need to provide and how much they can get from the insurance companies. The disadvantage is obviously - they need to get paid. Sometimes this can be anywhere from 5% to 50% of the claim depending on the size and depends on how much work is involved. You can shop around for an adjuster as competition will lower their rate, you can always cancel the contract with 72 hours of signing it.

Before you hire an adjuster, make sure you really want the help. Then, after you’ve shopped around, check into the background of the one you’re thinking about signing with. You can check with the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters for information about your adjuster and see how he or she has been doing.

2 Comments

  1. KITKAT wrote:

    DON’T DO IT!

    Unless you are really uneducated or incapable of managing your own affairs, this is the biggest waste of money and heartache on the planet! I have few friends and a sister who lost their homes in a wild fire. Their homes were still smoldering when Public Adjusters started attacking them like vultures, trying to get them to sign up for their services. They were relentless! A a few of my friends and my sister thought it sounded like a good idea. They were naturally devastated and having someone to handle things for them was appealing.

    Unfortunately, things quickly went from bad to worse. They could only stand by and watch in horror each day as a good chunk of their much needed settlement money went into the pockets of the Public Adjusters. I felt so bad for my friends and sister. They had very little input as to what was happening and could only communicate with their insurance agents through their Public Adjusters. Adding insult to injury, they stood by and painful witnessed their neighbors’ homes be rebuilt and occupants move back in. Meanwhile, their own homes had little to no rebuilding activity because their Public Adjusters were always finding something else to argue about with the insurance companies, the county, or just wouldn’t return their phone calls. It has been almost three years and their homes still aren’t repaired! It just breaks my heart…

    Friday, August 17, 2007 at 12:46 am | Permalink
  2. In response to what KITKAT wrote:DON’T DO IT!

    Although I have no proof,this indvidual most likely works for an Insurance Company. What I can say is is this. It was extremely ignorant and unprofessional on this person’s behalf to make a statement about ” Public Insurance Adjusters ”

    If you really are going to consider taking KITKATS advice now or in the future to not retain a ” Public Adjuster who is a highly trained,skilled,licensed,professional who has expert knowledge in Adjusting Insurance Claims.

    If you believe literally what KITKAT IS saying and feel it is the ” Gospel Truth “.
    Then you must also consider taking KITKATS advice to not use these other professionals as well.
    I am going to now make” hypothetical” statements and remarks only.They are not intendedto be taken”literally” I’m only trying to make a point. I’m using ” sarcasm ” and I would never offer this advice to anyone.

    Here are KITKATS own words
    “Unless you are really uneducated or incapable of managing your own affairs, this is the biggest waste of money and heartache on the planet.”

    You are completely out of line with that remark!

    I have advised and or represented Mds,DOs,Lawyers, Nurses,CPAs,Builders, people with Masters degrees and Phds. They are highly educated people but are unable to represent themselves after a property damage loss nor do they understand the claims settlement process.

    KITKAT Did you know that if an insured makes one mistake when they submit a claim and do not comply and adhere with the conditions setforth in their policy; their claim can be denied or once settled they can be left with a diminished property value. That is generally the outcome with self “representation”

    Ben Franklin’s adage “A person who represents himself has a fool for a client.”

    To make such a rash general statement about one’s profession is despicable.

    Although I can prove it or put words in their mouth but based only upon their verbage about Public Adjusters.

    KITKAT would probably have the same sentiments about these profesionals as well????

    1)Dont ever see or consult with a Doctor
    2)Don’t ever take your car to a mechanic
    3)Don’t ever go to a Dentist
    4)Don’t ever hire an attorney
    5)Don’t ever hire an accountant or CPA
    6)Don’t ever use a Realtor
    7)Don’t ever hire a Builder
    8)Don’t ever hire a plumber
    9)Don’t hire an electrician
    10)Don’t ever hire an HVAC
    11)Don’t ever hire an exterminator
    12)Don’t ever hire an architect
    13)Don’t ever hire a paving contractor
    14)Don’t ever hire a roofer
    15) Don’t ever hire a Mason
    16)Don’t ever hire a photographer
    17)Don’t ever hire an IT specialist
    I apologize if I left anyone out

    I think you see the point I’m trying to make. People need to educate themselves first and not make hasty decisions.

    They need to make rational and intelligent decisions on their own or from the help of others before they decide to do business with any individual and a small or large business, corporation

    People are always looking to put the blame on others for their own stupidity when they are unhappy with the outcome.
    They do not want to be held accountable!

    I wish KITKAT would have revealled to us what their occupation or profession was so I could share with others their same philosophy

    ” DONT HIRE KITKAT ”
    “Unless you are really uneducated or incapable of managing your own affairs, this is the biggest waste of money and heartache on the planet.”

    Read my “Blog site”

    http://tristatepublicadjusters.blogspot.com/

    Monday, August 20, 2007 at 1:34 am | Permalink

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