Public Adjuster for Fire Damage: Roles & Responsibilities

Experiencing fire damage to your property can be devastating and overwhelming and come completely out of nowhere. In tough situations like these, navigating complicated insurance claims and sketchy adjusters can make the process much harder. This is where a public adjuster comes into play. Public adjusters fight for you to receive a fair payout by insurance for the damages your home faces from a fire. While in the throws of trying to put your life back together, talk of money and claims can become confusing, and you can end up missing out on a lot of the compensation you deserve. Let’s take a look at some of the roles a public adjuster plays in the case of a home damaged by a fire. 

What is a Public Adjuster

A public adjuster is a licensed insurance claims handler who is hired independently by homeowners to help them file and negotiate insurance claims after some kind of property damage. Don’t confuse public adjusters with independent adjusters. Independent adjusters work for insurance companies to evaluate home damages and offer compensation based on what the insurance company thinks is the appropriate amount they should pay. Oftentimes, this number is much too low to be able to properly restore a home after a fire. Public adjusters fight against the insurance company to get higher insurance payouts.

Importance of Hiring a Public Adjuster for Fire Damage

Fire damage can absolutely ruin your home, and while you may be paying a large sum for home insurance, your insurance company may be hesitant to cough up the compensation money. Hiring a public adjuster is the only way to truly get a fair insurance settlement following a fire damage accident.

Benefits of Hiring a Public Adjuster

  • Expertise and Experience
  • Maximized Compensation
    • We fight to give you the largest insurance payout so that you can rebuild your home in its entirety
  • Time and Stress Management
    • With seasoned professionals handling the painstaking paperwork and negotiation of insurance settlements, you can worry about rebuilding your life.
  • Objective Evaluation of Property

Role of a PublicAdjuster in Fire Damage Claims

Public adjusters play a crucial role in helping policyholder homeowners navigate the claims process after fire damage. Their first role is to document and assess the damage to the home. This includes a thorough inspection of the fire-damaged property and detailed documentation of reports, photos, and inventories to support the filed claim. The adjusters will then calculate the value of the damaged items and structural losses to send to the insurance provider. 

Next, public adjusters will review your insurance policy to understand your coverage and identify all the places you are eligible for compensation. Then, your adjuster will prepare and file the claim with all the documentation required by insurance.

It is likely that after this the insurance company will offer a settlement amount that is much below what is needed to repair damages. The public adjuster will serve as the main point of contact with insurance companies so homeowners do not have to worry about maintaining communication. They will use their experience and documentation to negotiate a fair settlement. 

Choosing the Right Public Adjuster

Choosing the right public adjuster is crucial in getting your maximum insurance payout. Do some research on your own and look for consultant firms that prioritize experience and client trust. It is also important to look at consultant firms that specialize in the type of damage you have experienced. At Property Claims Consultants, we are licensed adjusters with years of experience in negotiating insurance claims and dozens of happy clients. To learn how much you can receive for your insurance settlement, contact us at 760-815-3650.