A: A public adjuster is an insurance claims adjuster who works in behalf of the policyholder in reviewing, assessing and negotiating an insurance claim. A public adjuster is the only type of claims adjuster that can legally represent the rights of an insured during an insurance claim process.
Q: When should you hire a public adjuster?
A: When you work with a public adjuster, they take care of the process. This is a good solution for people who do not have time to deal with a stressful claim process. The public adjuster will look closely at your claim and help ensure that no damage is overlooked. Depending on what they find, you might get a larger payout to repair the identified damage.
Q: What is the cost for hiring a public adjuster?
A: The public adjuster's fee is often a percentage of the amount the insurance carrier pays for the policyholder's claim. The fee percentage varies between adjusters and is usually capped by local or state law. These fees are regulated by the Florida Department of Financial Services.
Q: My insurance claim was denied. What do I do?
A: We, at NCC, can help you regarding your denied claim. We can reopen the loss, negotiate with your insurance company and work on your behalf to have the insurance company pay for viable damages.
Q: What A Public Adjuster Does for You?
A: Public insurance adjusters are experts in the details and language of insurance policies, as well as filing and adjusting claims. They often have prior experience in construction or a related field. A public adjuster will meticulously go through all the evidence and document everything for you to get the most out of your settlement.
Q: Will my contract be cancelled by my insurance company if I hire a public adjuster?
A: No. Because of the state code of ethics, they cannot drop your coverage to retaliate. While your insurance carrier can choose to non-renew your policy for ANY reason they see fit after your policy period is up, they cannot suddenly drop your coverage because you’ve decided to hire an advocate.
Q: Will my insurance premiums will go up if I hire a public adjuster?
A: Insurance companies are regulated by the state code of ethics which does not allow gauging. While insurance companies tend to dislike it when you hire a Public Adjuster (because they end up paying out 747% more), they cannot go up on your insurance premium because of that reason.
Q: Insurance claims adjusters vs. public adjusters
A: Insurance company adjusters and independent claim adjusters are both working for the insurance company and can’t protect both your interest and the interest of his/her employer at the same time. The insurance company adjuster will frequently offer to settle a claim for the sum they see fit, which is not always in favor of the policyholder. A public adjuster is an insurance adjuster professional who works exclusively for you, the policyholder. We, at NCC Helps, are specialists in reading and understanding your policy, coverage, and the insurance company’s obligations in order to negotiate a better settlement.
Q: Who usually benefits from the services of a public adjuster?
A: Public adjusters are employed by people and multiple types of businesses and professionals, including business owners, accountants, attorneys, and even insurance adjusters and agents for their own losses. Once somebody has experienced the benefits of our services, they will rarely attempt to settle a claim on their own.
Q: I've heard that public adjusters take a huge portion of your insurance award and do nothing for you.
A: Public adjusters are capped by the State on how much they can charge on each claim and each claim takes a lot of time and effort to process. During a declared state of emergency, Public Adjusters are typically allowed to charge 10% of the claim total on residential claims no matter how time consuming or complicated the claim is. Please note that state statutes are significantly different per state. Also, the state requires that the fee amount is clearly stated on the contract that both the policyholder and the Public Adjuster must sign.
Q: What types of claims do you handle?
A: National Claims Consultants represent policyholders on almost any type of property damage claim, including Commercial and Residential. This includes wind, hail, fire, water damages and also cast-iron pipes. We specialize in catastrophic claims from hurricanes and also day to day damages.
Q: How long will it take to settle my claim?
A: Negotiation time can range from a few days to a few months, it really depends on how effective your insurance company is. During this process our staff will contact them frequently by phone and e-mail to check the status of your claim, and to ensure that they are working on it steadily. During a disaster, such as a hurricane, processing time can slow down considerably because of the influx of thousands of claims. Because there are so many variables to consider, it’s very difficult to say how long it will take for your specific claim.
Q: Will I get a higher settlement if I use a public adjuster’s service?
A: One of the main advantages of using a public adjuster is the likelihood of a higher settlement offer. They understand the fine print in your homeowner’s insurance policy. They have the skills, knowledge and experience to negotiate with insurance adjusters. In addition to the above, public adjusters work on a contingent fee arrangement. They’re paid a fixed percentage of the settlement amount. The higher the settlement amount, the more they’re paid. This is a strong incentive for them to make sure you’re paid the maximum amount owed under your policy.
