When it comes to insurance claims, it can be difficult to know what to do and who to turn to. In California, a public adjuster can be a great resource for those looking for help with damage to personal or business property. However, it's important to note that public adjusters cannot process claims for car accidents, life insurance, or other types of insurance. Hiring a public adjuster can provide peace of mind that the claims process will be managed on your behalf.
Additionally, they will carefully review your claim and make sure that no damage is overlooked. This could potentially lead to a larger insurance agreement to repair the identified damage. Of course, this convenience comes with an out-of-pocket cost. Your insurance company will send its own appraiser, but you can also hire a public insurance appraiser to assess the loss of property and help you file insurance claims.
It's possible that the insurance company may refuse to negotiate with a public appraiser or refuse to pay the desired settlement. The public appraiser will assess the damage to your property, help determine the extent of the repairs, and estimate the replacement value of those repairs. If the public appraiser is questioning the damage or how much it might cost to repair it, you may decide to use a contractor for a second opinion. Many public appraisers visit the site of a loss for free to determine if they will work with the policyholder on a case.
Public appraiser fees are usually a percentage of the amount that the insurance company pays for the policyholder's claim. You can also get recommendations from friends or family when looking for a public adjuster. If you are faced with a major claim with a potentially high payment, consider the price before choosing to hire a public appraiser. A public adjuster can help reopen a claim with the insurer and file a supplementary claim for additional payments.
The NAPIA directory lists all public appraisal firms that must have a license in their state of operation. You'll have to pay a fee to hire one of these licensed professionals, but a public adjuster can save you money by ensuring that your insurance company pays the full amount you're responsible for, depending on your coverage.
