If you’ve been affected by a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado, and have suffered damage to your property, you may need to hire a public adjuster. These professionals can help you file a claim with your insurance company and get the compensation that you deserve. However, before you begin searching for a public adjuster in Broward County, there are some things that you should know.
1. The Job Is Highly Regulated
First and foremost, you should know that public adjusters are regulated by the state of Florida. To become a public adjuster in Broward County, an individual must pass a written exam and complete a training course.
You should also make sure that they are licensed to work in Broward County. public adjusters who are licensed by the state of Florida will have a current certificate that you can verify online.
Additionally, public adjusters must comply with certain ethical standards set forth by the state of Florida. For example, public adjusters cannot solicit business door-to- door or offer kickbacks to customers.
Public adjusters are also required to be bonded and insured. This protects you, the consumer, from any potentially fraudulent activity on the part of the public adjuster.
2. Public Adjusters Can Only Be Hired After a Disaster
A public adjuster can only be hired after a natural disaster has occurred. If you try to hire one before a disaster, they will not be able to help you.
This is because public adjusters are only able to work on behalf of the policyholder, not the insurance company. Therefore, they cannot get involved until after the event has taken place.
After a disaster has struck, you will need to provide the public adjuster with a copy of your insurance policy and any other relevant documentation. They will then review your policy and help you determine what coverage you have.
It’s important to note that public adjusters are not affiliated with any particular insurance company.
When searching for a public adjuster, it’s important to find one who is experienced in handling claims similar to yours. You can ask for referrals from friends or family or check online reviews.
3. Public Adjusters Can Help You Get More Money
One of the primary reasons you may want to hire a public adjuster in Broward County is because they can help you get more money from your insurance claim.
Public adjusters are experts at negotiating with insurance companies. They know the ins and outs of the claims process and will fight to get you the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve.
In some cases, public adjusters may even be able to get your claim paid out faster than if you were to handle it on your own.
If you’re not sure whether hiring a public adjuster is worth it, ask for a free consultation. Many public adjusters will offer this so that you can learn more about their services and how they can benefit you.
4. They Don’t Get Paid a Fixed Amount
Keep in mind that public adjusters typically work on a contingency basis. This means that they only get paid if and when you receive compensation for your claim.
When choosing a public adjuster, be sure to ask about their fee structure so that there are no surprises down the road.
A public adjuster’s fee is typically a percentage of the total settlement that they are able to get for you. For example, if you receive a $100,000 settlement and the public adjuster’s fee is 15%, you will owe them $15,000.
Fees can vary depending on the complexity of your claim and the public adjuster’s level of experience.
5. Public adjusters Can Help with Both Residential and Commercial Claims
Public adjusters can be hired to help with both residential and commercial insurance claims.
If you own a business, you may want to hire a public adjuster who specializes in commercial claims. They will be familiar with the unique coverage that businesses need and can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
Public adjusters who work on residential claims will typically have experience dealing with homeowners insurance policies. No matter what type of claim you have, be sure to ask about the public adjuster’s experience before hiring them.
6. You May Need More Than One Public Adjuster
In some cases, you may need to hire more than one public adjuster to help with your claim.
This is typically the case with large commercial claims. The public adjuster you hire will likely need to team up with other experts, such as engineers or accountants, to properly assess the damage and determine how much you should receive in compensation.
Be sure to ask about this upfront so that you can budget for the additional costs.
Hiring a public adjuster in Broward County is a big decision. But if you’ve been affected by a natural disaster and need help filing an insurance claim, they can be a valuable asset. Just be sure to do your research so that you choose someone who is reputable and has experience handling claims like yours.
