Updated On: January 2, 2009
There are two types of Adjuster. There is a Claims Adjuster and a Public Adjuster. A Claims Adjuster works for the Insurance Company; they are the person that comes to your home or business to inspect the damage and based on their report determines how much you are paid on your claim. Although they are supposed to give an estimate that is fair and unbiased, it is amazing sometimes at how ridiculous their estimate comes in at. That is when you need the help of a Public Adjuster.
A good Public Adjuster has the ability and the training as well as the expertise to make sure that the Insurance Company pays you exactly what they should. It is important also that when using an Adjuster you allow him to deal with the Insurance Company. If you are not familiar with certain terms, or you say something that can be taken out of context, you can hurt yourself in the long run and it can cost you; as you will not be paid as much as you should have been. It’s sad that you pay your premium every month and when you need the protection that the policy supposedly offers you, you then have to get into this situation where instead of being treated as a valued customer you have to be very careful what you say and how you say it so that it’s not used against you. According to some insiders the insurance companies only pay out 25% to 40 % on average of what they could pay when the consumer does not have an advocate in the form of a Public Adjuster on their side.
Although an Adjuster is not an attorney they are very similar in their practices; but unlike an attorney they cannot offer legal advice to their clients, they can only advise you of your rights and guide you in the right course of action when dealing with an Insurance company. I am sure that today most adults have had at least one experience in the course of their life where they have had to deal with an Insurance company where they knew they didn’t get what they really deserved and through frustration, lack of time, and no doubt lack of knowledge to know how to prove their case just gave up and put it down to one more negative experience to reflect on. To know you have been short changed and there is absolutely nothing you can do is an extremely frustrating feeling. With a knowledgeable Adjuster in your corner this is a situation that you won’t have to face again.
Like anything else in life it pays to have a profession represent you instead of trying to wing it by yourself. An Adjuster can save you time and money and take all the hassle of dealing with your claim and make sure you get the payout you are entitled to.