Wind Damage Public Adjuster
The Institute of Public Adjusters in the United States appeared a long time ago. This is actually a third party that is involved in the relationship between the insurance company and the insured entity. At the same time, the functions of public adjusters are often confused with those of insurance adjusters. Indeed, there is a similarity. But, there is also a fundamental difference for the client. Insurance adjusters are obliged to be objective, but they are employed by insurance companies, and corporate interests are above all for them. Whereas, a public adjuster actually becomes your employee for the period of your contract with him/her. Thus, such specialists act on your side and, thereby, strike a balance in your favor.
Who Is a Wind Damage Public Adjuster?
The profession of a public adjuster presupposes versatile knowledge and skills. Often, a public adjuster specializes in a fairly narrow list of insurance cases, and this allows them to thoroughly know the specifics of their work. So, first of all, the public adjuster knows very well the specifics of the documentation of insurance companies. Very often, the applications of the insured remain unsatisfied due to some errors in the documents. Definitely, this will not happen with a public adjuster's assistance. He/she helps fill out the documents, submit them on time and oversees the acceptance of your application by the insurance company.
The second side of the wind damage public adjuster is to conduct independent assessment of the damage caused to your property. This is especially important in case of wind damage, because the wind is often an accompanying factor of the storm, it can be of different types, ranging from a simple breeze to a powerful tornado or a straight-line wind. The public adjuster takes all this into account and tells you how to correctly indicate the cause of the damage in the application. In addition, the wind damage public adjuster can accurately calculate the amount of damage so that you can understand what compensation you can claim. He/she works in parallel with the insurance adjuster, who is also obliged to inspect the damaged property, but, at the same time, the public adjuster should always be interested in ensuring that you receive the largest possible amount of compensation. This is not surprising, because his/her fee depends on it.
And the third side of the work of a public adjuster for wind damage is representing your interests in disputable cases. If the insurance company denied paying compensation or its amount is less than you think is objective, it is he/she who will help you challenge the decision. Often, residents simply give up if the insurance company pays them less insurance money than they have expected. Insurance companies take advantage of this, as well as the ignorance of citizens about their rights. A public adjuster for wind damage will help you get what you are due according to the law and the terms of your insurance policy.
What Criteria to Consider When Applying for a Public Adjuster's Services
Despite the fact that the Internet is full of offers from a great number of public adjusters, it is better not to rush your decision and reasonably choose a specialist basing on several criteria. They might be the following:
- The range of services provided by the public adjuster for wind damage. If such a professional only fills out paperwork or assesses the damage, his/her qualifications may not be enough for more serious cases.
- Availability of positive feedback on cooperation. This is an important criterion for any professional. Therefore, be sure to read the reviews about each public adjuster or look for those who have already directly contacted them. This will help you avoid wasting money on an inexperienced or unqualified professional.
- Service price. Depending on the state and even the county, the rates of public adjusters can be different. Some professionals charge an hourly rate, but this can be overwhelming for the homeowner. Much more often, the rate of the public adjuster is 10-15% of the compensation amount. Such a pricing policy is convenient for two reasons. First, you understand exactly how much you will pay for the work of such a professional. Second, a public adjuster for wind damage is directly interested in knocking out a larger amount of the compensation from the insurance company to be paid more in this case.
Is It Worth Hiring a Wind Damage Public Adjuster in Case of Wind Damage?
And, finally, the most important question: do you need the services of a public adjuster at all? If your house has suffered from wind damage, you will need the services of such a specialist in the following cases:
- You are not sure how to classify the damage to your house after a storm. A wind damage public adjuster can help you determine exactly the source of the damage.
- You do not know how to fill out the documents for the insurance company. This is the case when it is better to pay a professional and not to waste time and effort rewriting statements and communicating with the insurance company.
- Your house has suffered significant damage due to a tornado, wind, or storm. The amount of compensation, in this case, will help you rebuild your home. And wind damage public adjuster will help you get the maximum compensation.
A public adjuster for wind damage is not just an independent expert. This is your assistant who will be able to claim compensation under your insurance policy and you will be able to go about your business and not to deal with the proceedings with the insurance company.