Check for Licensing
Almost every state in America requires public adjusters to be licensed. But, unfortunately, not all public adjusters are licensed in the real world.
As a result, when selecting a public insurance adjuster, the first and most crucial item to check for is their state certification. Unfortunately, some public adjusters will attempt to conceal their licensure by claiming to work under another individual or company, implying that they have not been independently certified and credentialed.
Know Which Questions to Ask
You may only need to employ a public insurance adjuster once in your life. As a result, many consumers are unsure about asking questions while investigating public adjusters. Here are a few thought-provoking questions to get you started:
- Is it possible for me to verify your state public adjuster license?
- Can you provide me with references for cases you handled personally in the previous three years? Call these references and ask whether they believe the public adjuster provided them with the best possible outcome, and the representative addressed all of their questions during the adjustment process.
- What is your contingency fee? Most insurance adjusters operate on a contingency fee basis, which ranges from 5% to 15% of the amount paid by the insurer on your claim. Some states have caps on these fees, although they are always negotiable. If you have a substantial settlement that might result in a hefty payout for your adjuster, don’t be hesitant to negotiate a reduced contingency fee.
- What is your professional education and training?
- Is the person I’m speaking with the one who will handle my claim? Or am I speaking with a sales representative who will forward my claim to another adjuster or public adjuster agency?
Adjusters with Insurance Agency Experience
Some of the top public adjusters have previously worked for insurance companies. These public adjusters have experience on both sides of the bargaining table. This provides them a significant edge when bargaining with your insurance company. Insurance plans and claims may be highly complicated and perplexing. The greater an adjuster’s experience, the better.