What Are The Differences Between Independent And Public Insurance Adjusters?
Posted on: 19 May 2023
If you need to make an insurance claim, then you might have to deal with an adjuster. These professionals all check and manage claims; however, they represent the interests of different people in the process.
For example, adjusters can be independent or public. What are the differences between these two roles?
What Are Independent Adjusters?
Independent adjusters work for insurance companies. They represent the company in the field when a policyholder makes a claim.
So, for example, if you file a claim for property damage after a storm, then the company's adjuster comes to check the damage. They assess the costs of repair or replacement work according to the terms of your coverage.
They then report back to your insurer and tell them whether your claim is valid and how much it is worth. The payment you get from your coverage is based on the adjuster's inspection and findings.
Your dealings with an independent adjuster are limited. You might need to be on-site when they make an inspection to answer any questions. However, you won't have any other contact with them.
What Are Public Adjusters?
Public adjusters don't work for insurance companies. They work for the people who make claims. These professionals have the same skills and training as independent adjusters. Some might have worked for insurers in the past. Now, they work for you.
While you might not need to hire your own adjuster for small claims, they can help with more complex cases. For example, people often hire public adjusters for the following reasons:
- To get advice on the amount of money they can claim.
- To help manage major claims that involve a lot of paperwork, time-intensive contact with an insurance company, and multiple independent adjustor inspections.
- To attend an independent adjuster's inspection visit as the policyholder's representative.
- To help deal with low-ball insurance settlement offers and to maximize payment amounts.
- To get a second opinion on independent adjuster findings and to challenge denied claims.
Public adjusters often charge a percentage of the claim amount you receive from your insurance company. However, some work on an hourly rate or flat fee basis.
If you hire your own adjuster, then you level the claims playing field. They represent your interests and not the interests of your insurance company.
If you are about to make an insurance claim, then contact a local public adjuster. They can help you decide if you need their help.
Reach out to a company like Sarasohn & Company for more information.
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