Getting a Second Opinion from a Public Adjuster

A natural disaster damages your home. The home insurance company has sent an insurance adjuster to inspect the property damage. Indeed, the adjuster seemed friendly and professional.

However, the claim settlement offered by the insurance company seems low. After all, the water damage to your home ruined the expensive carpeting, molding and flooring. Consequently, they will have to be replaced. The repair costs will be high.

Do you need a second opinion from a public adjuster? Who knew filing a property insurance claim could be so difficult? Will you have more than 24 hours to do this?

The answer to the first two questions is “yes.”

It’s more important for large claims to get a second opinion

People pursuing a property damage settlement with their homeowner’s insurance company should not hesitate to get a second opinion. Certainly, for small claims, it may not be worth the time and expense.

However, for substantial claims, it is in the insured’s best interest to get a second opinion. Remember, no matter how friendly the adjuster was, he works for the insurance company. This goes for independent adjusters too; both get paid by the insurance company. As a result, they are looking out for the insurance company, not you.

On the other hand, public insurance adjusters will help you in filing a claim. Moreover, they will work for you during the claim adjustment process. Moreover, they will look out for your best interests.

There are other issues that arise in the claim process that mean that you should get a second opinion:

Replacement Value Versus Actual Cash Value

Formerly, insurance policies would compensate property owners for the values of the damaged property at the market value of the damaged property at the time of the covered event. Therefore, if a storm damaged an 8-year-old truck, that truck is only worth 40 to 50% of what a similar new truck is worth today.

And that is all the insurance company would pay.

However, insurance companies now offer replacement cost riders. For an additional insurance quote, insureds can purchase replacement cost protection. Consequently, insureds can claim the replacement cost of like property in their claim.

However, if you are settling on an actual cash value basis, the insurance company may over-depreciate your property. As a result, you will receive a lower payout on your claim.
Therefore, hiring a public adjuster for a second opinion makes sense.

The Insurance Company Wants More Estimates

You want to use your damaged property as soon as you can get it repaired or replaced. Or you want to fix your damaged business so you can start up your business as soon as possible. Therefore, you have gotten estimates to repair or replace your damaged property.
You contact your insurance company. But the company rep tells you in a phone call that they want more “competitive bids.” Likewise, the insurance company wants you to use a contractor with whom they have a relationship.

Do not fall for it. It is a good idea to use a contractor with whom you are comfortable. A licensed public adjuster can help you convince the insurance company that your contractor’s estimate is correct and covered by the policy.

If You Need a Public Adjuster for a Property Loss, Call AllCity Adjusting

We are a family-owned claims company with five decades of combined adjusting experience. As a result, if there’s one thing we understand, it’s that you need 100% of your claim value.
Insurance companies undervalue your claim 8 out of 10 times. Moreover, they hire expensive adjusters to ensure they maintain a strong profit margin. Additionally, they have experienced actuaries that create insurance agency guidelines that help their team of agents to challenge your insurance claim’s validity.

We understand that you have already gone through a tumultuous event. For this reason, get an agency that gets you more.

At AllCity Adjusting we work to ensure you get 100% of your claim value. Equally important, with over 50 years of combined adjusting experience, we know insurance companies. Furthermore, we understand where they cut corners.

Moreover, we help you build a larger claim and maximize your claim value. In short, we get you back to normal fast. Don’t get fooled, get the company that gets you more.