Frequently Asked Questions

No, but it’s always a good idea to at least speak with a Public Adjuster regarding your loss. We offer a FREE INSPECTION, policy review, and consultation. All of this for absolutely NO MONEY DOWN and we work on contingency, to be paid after the insurance company pays your claim. If we believe your loss does not require our assistance, we will be more than forthcoming with that information.

The first 48 hours after a disaster are crucial. The steps you take in the beginning will have a significant impact on the outcome of your insurance claim. We see it all too often, an insured compromising their position because they weren’t represented by a licensed professional. Often, our services are requested after the insured has received a partial settlement or after the irreparable damage is done to settling the loss.

Attempting to inventory your possessions and work on rebuilding, after a loss can be very time-consuming. The demands of preparing a claim to comply with the requirements of your policy are a full-time job, even for the experienced professionals. Disagreements can arise concerning what is covered and what is excluded, the scope of damages, depreciation, and material costs. Remember, the burden to prove every detail of your loss to the insurance company is your responsibility. Public Adjusters relieve you of the claim responsibilities allowing you to devote your time with your family and to everyday business.

Insurance agents are licensed experts to sell insurance policies on behalf of the carrier. They are not traversed in the knowledge required to appraise and prepare claims. Insurance companies rely on adjusters, not agents, to settle claims.

You will need to provide all or part of the following to your insurance carrier:
• Itemized appraisal to replace structural damage
• Itemized inventory and appraisal of all personal property
• Depreciation schedules
• Identification of any betterments and improvements
• Identification of Ordinance or Law
• Separate the damaged from the undamaged property to determine salvage value
• Provide documents and records to prove income loss for any business interruption or increased cost of living
• Submit a Proof of Loss if requested by the insurance company.

Public Adjusters work on a contingency fee. This means there is no fee until the claim is initiated and managed through settlement. This fee is a small percentage of the claim settlement. Clients have found that our services have proved to be financially beneficial and the fees absorbed in the claim settlement. 

A public adjuster is the only entity by law able to represent the interests of the insured and negotiate with the insurance company. General Contractors including "insurance restoration contractors" do not have the experience and licensing required to deal with your insurance company. Contractors are not able to represent you or negotiate with your insurer on your behalf, unless they are also licensed as a Public Adjuster. They are simply involved to restore the property back to its pre-loss condition.

Your claims adjuster or agent calls their favorite restoration company in to remove the contents to be cleaned and restored. These contractors are literally given work by the adjuster. A licensed skilled contractor can explain how and why the band-aid approach insurance companies and their vendors tend to take in repairs is not the appropriate fix. Most importantly, never decide to sign a contract with someone you don’t know. Get references, call the Chamber of Commerce. Then and only then, sign on the dotted line.