The best place to find a good public adjuster is through the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. NAPIA will provide recommendations in all states that have licenses for public adjusters. An Public Insurance Adjuster is the only type of adjuster that is qualified to represent the insured party on a property claim. Currently more than 43 states plus the District of Columbia require an adjuster with this license in order to represent the insured.
An experienced public insurance adjuster can serve as your advocate and help you navigate through the maze of insurance so that you can get the full amount that you are entitled to under your policy. However, there are many procedures to follow before you can get paid: valuing the loss, giving it to the insurance company and negotiating an agreement. Insurance policies can be complicated and conditional. Full payment for the loss is not guaranteed.
A public adjuster can help identify the coverages and the causes of the loss to evaluate the carrier's offer or denial.
After a disaster, fire victims are often bombarded by offers and inquires from general contractors and public adjusters and others offering to help. This is the norm. Just because you are being solicited does not necessarily mean that they're doing anything wrong. But, it is important to be aware and conduct your due diligence prior to signing up for their services.
If the public adjusters are not affiliated with NAPIA, (National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters) be wary.. They may not possess the necessary legal or insurance experience to properly represent you. Here are a few danger indications:
1. They make BIG promises without any guarantee.
2. Their charges are exorbitant. Most legitimate Public Insurance Adjusters fees range between 5% to 12% and average 10%. Some public adjusters may be more expensive on smaller claims or when employed midway through the process of settling claims.
3. If you feel pressured to take a decision quickly, run. Legitimate PAs recognize that this decision to hire someone to represent you in order to get your home and life back Public Adjuster in order is an important one. This is not a decision that should be taken in haste. This could be one of the most expensive decisions you'll ever make in your life. Make sure you take your time and be sure you are comfortable with the adjuster you employ.
4. Check their web site and address. If they don't possess anything other than an official business card, be extremely cautious. If the only address they have is a PO box this may be another warning sign.
5. It is often more beneficial to work with an individual who is local. Someone who is familiar with the local housing market and the costs of rebuilding, who knows the resources of the community and how best to leverage them. A local PA might also have previous experience working with representatives of major insurance companies in the area and could be capable of cutting through some of the red tape and bureaucracy in order to make sure you get what is owed to you faster.