When you might need a public adjuster

Hopefully, you will never require the services of a public adjuster. A public adjuster steps in to help homeowners after a catastrophe (e.g. a fire) to collect the maximum coverage they are due from their insurer according to their home insurance policy. Their fee is based on the claim payment, usually about 10-15% of the total.

Theoretically, you can do the work of filing a claim when you suffer a covered loss. There are some instances, though, when it is wise to hire knowledge and experience.

When you lose your home to a fire, for instance, trauma inevitably works against you. Filing a claim for such a large loss involves detailed documentation and a thorough understanding of your policy, a difficult process at any time, but even more so after a significant loss.

In those circumstances, paying a public adjuster is well worth their fee, not only for the help they offer, but more importantly because they can recover a much greater claim than if you filed on your own, making their fee inconsequential.

Just be sure to hire a public adjuster with a good track record of winning claims for clients.

Home Insurance tips: This tip was originally posted on 3-16-2010 at 12:41 pm.

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