What is the cost to hire a public adjuster?

Public adjusters receive a small percentage of the negotiated settlement. Never hire a public adjuster that charges an upfront fee or out of pocket costs.

Why can’t I prepare and negotiate my own insurance claim for property damage?

Most people who attempt to handle their claim from the onset quickly realize that mistakes and oversights end up costing them time, money and stress. These mistakes can include miscalculating the scope of the damage, not adhering to policy requirements and obligations, misapplying policy benefits and allowing the insurance company to dictate the pace of the claim and monetary settlement.

Why can’t my insurance broker or agent handle my property insurance claim?

Consider that insurance agents and brokers sell insurance policies, not estimate and adjust claims. Insurance claim estimating and the claim adjustment process is a specialized area within the insurance industry. Your agent is well trained in determining your insurance needs, not insurance claims. In addition, his/her loyalty rests with his employer; the insurance company.

If I work directly with the insurance company’s adjuster, wouldn’t I get the same results?

Most likely, NOT. The insurance adjuster represents the insurance best interest, not yours. Neither the insurance carrier nor the assigned adjuster is responsible for writing a detailed estimate of your loss. Frequently, these estimates are missing items; and if provided, they usually do not accurately reflect the market cost in your area.

Will my monthly Premium increase if I file a claim?

NO. The insurance company does not have the right to raise you premium just because you file a claim. If the premium is increased, it will be increased due to several reasons, either because they had a large amount of claims file in the neighborhood or because it has increased overall in Illinois. Every year the premium increases.

Will I lose my coverage if I hire a Public Adjuster?

Absolutely NOT. Public adjusting is regulated by the Department of Insurance. As a policyholder you have the right to hire an expert that will represent you and work on your behalf. Cancelling your policy because you hire a Public Adjuster is a violation of State Legislation.

Will my insurance company cancel my insurance or “drop me” if I hire a public adjuster?

No. An insurance company cannot cancel or “drop” a claimant for any reason other than fraud or material misrepresentation. An insurance company can elect to not renew your policy, but that can only occur on the anniversary of the renewal date. This rarely happens unless an insured has had several insurance claims within a short time span.

Are insurance claims negotiable?

Absolutely. Many components of a claim are negotiable. Repair costs, depreciation amounts, costs/values of goods, deadlines and overhead & profit are a few items that can be and should be negotiated.

Will I have enough settlement money left over to replace my belongings and finish the restoration and repairs to my property after I pay a public adjuster fee?

If you are properly insured and hire an experienced public adjuster who completes an exhaustive claim package, then you should have more than enough money to replace personal property, rebuild your property and pay the public insurance adjuster his or her fee. The claim adjuster you decide to hire should communicate to you a claim strategy as well as realistic expectations and goals for settlement prior to starting any work.

A hailstorm caused dents on my roof. I’m unsure if the roof damage will lead to leaks in the future?

If your roof is made of asphalt or similar materials then wind, snow and/or rain will gradually wash away the loosened granules on the roof, subsequently causing it to leak.

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