Searching for Your Insurance Attorney in Google? Learn More How a Public Adjuster Can Help
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your insurance coverage until you need to use it. And when you do need to use it, the last thing you want is to find out that your claim has been denied.
If your insurance claim has been denied, or if you’re not getting the settlement you deserve, you may be wondering if it’s time to search for your insurance attorney on Google.
Before you go down that road, though, you may want to consider hiring a public adjuster.
What Is a Public Adjuster?
A public adjuster is hired by a policyholder to help with the insurance claim process. They will review your policy, assess the damage, and put together a detailed estimate of repairs. Once they have all of this information, they will negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf to get you the best possible settlement.
A public adjuster is not an insurance lawyer. In fact, they can vary in many ways:
- An insurance claims attorney is a licensed attorney who represents policyholders in court or during settlements.
- A public adjuster is not required to have a law degree, but they must be licensed by the state in which they work.
- An insurance claims attorney will likely charge an hourly rate, while a public adjuster will usually take a percentage of your final settlement.
- An insurance attorney represents you in court, while a public adjuster will negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf.
Public adjusters are also different from those hired by insurers. Insurance adjusters are employees of your insurance company, and their job is to save the company money. Public adjusters, on the other hand, work for you, and their goal is to get you the most money possible from your claim.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Public Adjuster?
There are several benefits of hiring a public adjuster, including:
- You’ll save time. Filing an insurance claim can be time-consuming, and if you’re already dealing with the aftermath of a disaster, the last thing you want is to have to deal with the paperwork and phone calls. A public adjuster will handle all of that for you.
- You’ll get a fair settlement. As we mentioned, insurance companies are in the business of making money. They’re not necessarily interested in giving you a fair settlement, but a public adjuster will fight to get you the money you deserve.
- A public adjuster can help if your insurance claim has been denied. If your claim has been denied, you should understand why. A public adjuster will review your policy and help you determine whether the denial is justified. In many cases, denials are due to technicalities or errors on the part of the insurance company. A public adjuster can help gather the evidence you need to appeal the decision and get the settlement you deserve.
- You’ll have peace of mind. Knowing that someone is in your corner, fighting for you, can be a huge relief. You can focus on rebuilding your life and your home, while your public adjuster takes care of the insurance claim.
- A public adjuster can help if your insurance company lowballed your settlement offer. It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to lowball their initial settlement offer in hopes that policyholders will simply accept it and move on. But if you’re not happy with the offer, a public adjuster can help negotiate a better one. A public adjuster will conduct a thorough analysis of your damages and make sure that all of your expenses are accounted for in the settlement offer.
When to Hire Your Insurance Lawyer
Now, there are some situations in which you will need to hire an insurance lawyer. These include:
- If your claim has been denied and you want to file a lawsuit
- If the insurance company refuses to pay your claim
- If you have been offered a settlement that is much lower than what you believe you deserve
- If the insurance company is engaging in bad faith tactics, such as stalling or delaying your claim
- If you have questions about your policy or your rights as a policyholder
If you’re not sure whether you need to hire an attorney or a public adjuster, the best course of action is to speak to both. Get a consultation from an insurance lawyer and a public adjuster, and then make a decision based on what you feel is best for your particular situation.
Final Words
If you’ve been the victim of an emergency that has caused damage to your home or business, searching for an insurance attorney in Google is likely one of the first things you’ll do. However, what you may not realize is that there’s someone else who can help you during this difficult time—a public adjuster.
Public adjusters are highly trained and experienced professionals who will work tirelessly on your behalf to make sure you receive the maximum settlement possible from your insurance company. So before you start Googling “insurance attorney near me,” contact a public adjuster and learn more about how they can help you during this difficult time.