How do you know if you need a public claims / insurance adjuster?

Question

If you think the insurance company is not giving you a fair amount, do you get an adjuster? Or do you tell them you are considering it first and try playing hardball? Are there other options?

More info:

Recently there was a fire at my house in the basement. There is soot in every room. Anything open to the air smells. Using State Farm. Currently in a hotel as per them. I have been looking a lot online for the answer of if and when my family should actually consider a claims adjuster.

In the basement there were a lot of CD's which were melted by the fire (still countable). I am worried the company will want to take the antique furniture my mother has to a regular cleaner in lieu of a specialist. Also there may be damaged things from the firefighters. One of my biggest concerns are two computers, one of which is a Dell. I am certain they will want to clean it, but I am under the impression that will cause it to lose its warranty.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Well, you wait until you have a problem.  You also have to read your policy - if those cd's were blanks, that you burned, you only get the cost of the blank media, for example.  

You don't get more than the policy limit.  Don't assume a cleaning will void the warranty on the computers.  

That public adjuster - will ask for 25% of your claim.  Once you get an offer, and you're not happy with it, and you've talked to your agent and they can't do anything else for you, THEN you can get the public adjuster - but you need to set the contract up so they only get 50% of the ADDITIONAL amount - the difference between the original offer, and what they actually get for you.

The vast majority of the time, they can't get enough "extra" for you, to cover the cost of you hiring them - and you end up with less net in the long run.

Answer 2

Can't put it any better than MSAD did. You now have a real world answer that you should print out and refer when needed.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Company Adjusters (which a State Farm adjuster is)..are NOT afraid of public adjusters.  

So you can hire one if you want....you can give the public adjuster a % of your settlement. That is just that much less money you have to rebuild with.  State Farm is not going to pay the amount of the loss plus the Public Adjuster's fee. They pay the amount of the loss less your deductible (according to your policy provisions).  The public adjusters fee is your responsiblity to pay.

Here's what I recommend, try working directly with the State Farm adjuster. Don't jump to conclusions about what you think they are going to do.  Wait and actually see what they do.

I know you are going through a stressful time (understatement)...and it's hard not to have your mind racing about what may happen.  But focus on taking it one day at a time.

A fire loss like your's can take time to work. It's a big claim. It should not be rushed.

Usually your State Farm adjuster can recommend a fire restoration company. These companies are usually "turn key". That means they can do clean up and rebuild.  It will make the process much easier on you to use a company that can do it all.

You do have the option of acting as your own general contractor...and sub-ing each item out. But why put yourself through that stress? You have enough to deal with. And the restoration company knows the folks who specalize in fire damage.

For example, the fire restoration company will bring people in to take all your clothing and fabrics (curtains, bedspreads, etc) out to be dry cleaned.  If it is cleanable.  If it is too sooted up and can't be saved, they will photo and invetory it.

All the food in your cabinate will be thrown out. Most likely, the company will inventory it before they toss it.  Medications will probably be thrown out as well. Go ahead and get refills and save your receipts to give to the State Farm adjuster.

Anything that can not be saved - will be photo'ed and listed.

The restoration company will have one contact person for you to deal with. Let them know about the antique furniture.  They may be able to send it out to be cleaned and recovered.   They will probably put in in their ozone room before it is sent out to a furniture refinisher.

Anything damaged by the water to put out the fire or by the fire fighters will be covered as part of your claim.

If you want to...make a list of questions for the adjuster and the restoration company. Make a list of concerns that you want to discuss with each.  

I usually like to meet with the policyholder and restoration company at the beginning  and inspect the home together. It helps to put everyone one the same page.

The restoration company will take your property and treat it in the ozone room. Then they have other chemicals/products that they use.  It's not "cleaning" like you think of.....a bottle of 409 and a paper towel. There are special products that get the smoke out at the microbial level.  The restoration company can explain it in detail to you.

Don't fool with this "hardball" junk. All that does is make an already difficult process even more so.  

The adjuster is there to help you and your family through this difficult time. Our job is to walk you through the process step by step.  

When there is open communication between you and the adjuster, the process goes much more smoothly. So ask what ever question you have and let the adjuster know about any concerns you have.  We can't help you if you don't let us know what is on your mind.

Answer 4

NO, NO, NO! Stay away from the PA's...their bad ju-ju! Seriously, I've dealt with many and their all after one thing....10-20% of YOUR MONEY!  Your claims adjuster and their supervisor will work with you.....They'll have the property restored back to normal or they'll rebuild.  Don't worry about your personal property.  Since the home is not habitable, they'll most likely pay out policy limits on your personal property...you can talk to them about it.  They want to help, trust me.  Antique furniture? No problem, let them know which pieces are antique and ask for a specialist.  You'll get reimbursed for your computers....cleaning it won't help, it's mechanical and will most likely be damaged on the inside.  As far as damage from the firefighters, it's all covered since the loss was a named peril (fire).

I'm sorry for your loss and wish you and your family the best......remember, stay away from PA's!