WHAT IS A PUBLIC ADJUSTER?
A public adjuster is an independent insurance professional that you may hire to settle a claim on your behalf. When you file a claim, you are assigned an adjuster from your insurance company at no charge to you. This is not a public adjuster. The insurance company adjuster reviews your policy, inspects the damage and determines if there is coverage. If a claim is not covered, we ask that they show where in the policy it concludes there is not coverage. A public adjuster can assist with the claims process but has no relationship with the insurance company and fees often apply. A public adjuster CANNOT get you more money for your claim.
WHY DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS?
New times are here. Just like after a storm when you are approached by roofing contractors (often from out of state) knocking on your door telling you that they see hail damage to your roof, public adjusters are now out there doing the same thing fighting for your business! They are here in Hamilton County, both Cicero, Indiana and Carmel, Indiana. They are at your neighbors. We’ve had two claims recently with this situation. They have you sign a contract. Folks, this is not good. Two things: If the claim damage is less than your deductible, you now have a claim on your record and you have to get the damaged pieces repaired. An insurance company can require proof it is repaired to continue coverage. Second, once you hire a public adjuster it’s kind of like hiring a lawyer in the sense that there is limited talking. The insurance company adjusters are limited to what they can discuss directly with you and it is handled directly with the public adjuster. If you feel you have been wronged after the claim is reviewed by the insurance company, then maybe this is the option but we would not recommend hiring a public adjuster for a possible claim or a new claim. We suggest you let things work themselves out first.
WHAT ABOUT ROOFING CONTRACTORS THAT COME TO MY DOOR? WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Click Here for Tips to Avoid Scams
WORRIED ABOUT DEALING WITH THE CLAIM BY YOURSELF? Have peace of mind. You placed your insurance with the best insurance agency because everything in your soul told you it was the right decision. Penwell Insurance is a 5 Star agency with more than 75 reviews for a reason. For claims, we have a licensed insurance agent solely dedicated to help you throughout the claims process. You can discuss the possible claim with your personal Penwell Insurance Claims Manager and then together you can determine if you want her to file the claim right then or if you want to get an estimate and have a licensed contractor check things out first. Once you file a claim, your personal Penwell Insurance Claims Manager will be right there with you every step of the way. If you are confused by what the insurance company adjuster told you, let your claims manager help you. Not receiving a call back from your insurance company adjuster? No worries, let your claims manager know and we assure you that she’ll be on top of them. Involved in a not-at-fault car accident? Don’t feel alone. Let us know. Your claims manager will help you in whatever way she can with the understanding that if it’s not a claim with your insurance company, we may be limited but that doesn’t mean we can’t help. The point is you should never feel that you have been left with someone on the end of an 800 number or someone from far away left to fend for yourself. We go above and beyond when it comes to claims, the biggest reason you have insurance, the reason you chose the insurance company/carrier, and the reason you chose us! We wish this was the standard of all insurance agencies but this is a very rare service that is hard to come by.
References:
Insurance Information Institute
Indiana Department of Insurance
