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Avoiding Unnecessary Litigation With a Public Adjuster

Avoiding Unnecessary Litigation With a Public Adjuster

Commercial contractors and their policyholder clients carry a lot of risk in managing the time and expenses of dealing with insurance claims and unnecessary litigation. Overhead and profit, general conditions, policy language, interpretation of policy, code upgrades, negotiations, statutes, estimates, engineer reports, adjusters, attorneys, and appraisers are just a few of the factors to consider when settling an insurance claim. What is the best way to settle a large-loss property damage insurance claim?

Pro-Policyholder Negotiating

Savvy contractors turn to a trustworthy public adjuster who legally negotiates and interprets policies on behalf of a policyholder to settle property damage insurance claims fairly and promptly.

Public adjusters are licensed and bonded in nearly every state. Their process includes reviewing the insurance policy for benefits and exclusions, inspecting buildings for damages, negotiating with the insurance company for maximum settlement in minimum time, helping to avoid unnecessary litigation, and meeting with the insurer’s adjusters or representatives on-site. A good first step is a line-item estimate to support the damage model and a request for an advance on a covered loss so the policyholder can get reimbursed for incurred mitigation expenses and start immediate repairs. Negotiating the full and final claim for the remaining policy benefits owed on a large loss often requires the expertise and authority of a public adjuster to get a claim settled fairly and promptly. The best public adjusters and contractors work together as a team.

Deadlines and Timing

The first deadline to be aware of is when a claim can be filed. Some policies allow filings to happen only within a year from the date of the loss.

Another important deadline deals with business interruption claims. Typical business interruption policies only provide loss of income benefits for a year from the date of loss. If a property damage claim isn’t settled within the same time frame as a business interruption claim, the policyholder could run out of time on his/her business interruption claim before the property is completely fixed and back in business.

How Can Public Adjusters Help Insurance Claims?

It is important to bring a reputable public adjuster into the process immediately when dealing with a large commercial loss. Though a public adjuster is able to come on board at any time or can even reopen closed claims, the time savings and ultimately getting a fair settlement amount are invaluable to both policyholders and contractors.

The whole process can be far more balanced when a good public adjuster is retained immediately. Public adjusters can hold insurers accountable. Insurance companies are required by law to give equal consideration to anything presented by a public adjuster that supports the insured’s claim in meeting the burden of proof. If policyholders wait to hire a public adjuster until after the insurance company partially paid some, but not all, of the money a claimant believes, is owed, a supplemental claim can be opened by a public adjuster.

Policyholders carry the burden of proving their claim to an insurance company. Without considerable training and experience, navigating the process is a considerable challenge. Waiting for the insurer to make a coverage determination before engaging a knowledgeable public adjuster can cost a lot of time and money. All too often, after a property suffers damage, the policyholder files a claim and then waits. Waiting and hoping that the insurance company will do the right thing can be very expensive.

Quite commonly, an insurance company sends out its representatives to document the company’s interests, not those of the policyholder. When no one is representing the policyholder’s best interest with any legal authority and the insurer knows it, settlement results tend to be disappointing.

Overturning coverage determinations takes some time. Insurance companies take their time in responding and defend themselves ferociously. Business owners who know time is money retain a public adjuster the moment they have a claim.

Is a Public Adjuster Right for Me?

Every situation is different, and not every claim warrants the use of a public adjuster. Big claims can lead to big disputes.

A property owner’s insurance claim on a 700,000-square-foot (65,032.1 m2) facility was initially denied. Preparing to sue the insurance company, the property owner’s insurance broker suggested they consider a public adjuster. With the public adjuster’s help, the denial was completely reversed, and the claim was settled for seven figures.

Insurance appraisals cost policyholders money and cannot be performed on the contingency of outcome. Plus, there are very few rules and usually no time frame to compel insurance companies to perform. As a result, large appraisals can take one to two years. In addition, most policies contain less-than-amicable terms for policyholders, whereby the insurer typically retains the right to deny any appraisal award even after it has been made.

Subpoenas, depositions, mediation, and courtroom trials can be expected in lawsuits. Many cases do not make it to court because insurance companies often settle claims in mediation. That may sound good on the surface, but this could backfire.

Let’s say a policyholder believes he/she is owed $2.1 million in damages because he/she has $1.5 million in property damages plus $600,000 in legal fees. During a required mediation, an insurance company may say, “We’ll pay no more than $1.9 million.” Figuring out repair costs and fees or letting a jury decide can be a difficult decision. An attorney may turn to a policyholder in mediation and say, “This is a business decision you’re going to have to make. We can take this bird in the hand, or we can roll the dice and go before a jury.” A lot of times, people will just settle, which you rarely hear about because they also have to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Conclusion

There are several reasons first-time clients of public adjusters often become long-time clients: less time, less stress, protection of rights, fewer disputes, professional documentation to support the maximum settlement, lower costs, most work on contingency, and peace of mind knowing that a licensed advocate is fighting for full policy benefits so you can take care of business. These are all invaluable benefits.

Insurance companies have experts working for them. You should, too!™

Check out this article at Coatings Pro HERE

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Small Business Owner Guide: COVID-19 Resources and Relief Options

Guide For How Your Small Business Can Survive the Pandemic

Published: April 8, 2020
Updated: April 10, 2020

Gene Marks

Recent weeks have impacted small businesses around the globe. To slow the spread of COVID-19, governments have mandated social distancing and self-isolation tactics, forcing millions of people to turn to remote working. Some businesses have closed altogether, while others are promoting online sales and eCommerce. If you’re wondering where to turn during these complicated times, we’ve put together a comprehensive state-by-state small business guide on how to receive aid and keep your business open.

Federal

CARES ACT: The CARES Act passed in late March, which is a $2 trillion emergency relief package to help Americans impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Importantly, the CARES Act includes Rubio’s Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act, a bipartisan small business emergency economic relief plan that provides more than $377 billion for small businesses to meet their payroll and expenses and receive education and assistance.

CARES Act SBA Loan Calculator: NAV has worked to create a calculator to help business owners see how much they qualify for.

FEMA Supply Chain, Delivery of Goods, Business Continuity Support Businesses that are experiencing issues regarding supply chains, delivery of goods, or business continuity should contact the FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Center. This is a 24/7 operation and they can assist in directing the inquiry to the proper contact.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Small business owners in all U.S. states and territories are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to COVID-19. The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by COVID-19. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

Federal Income Tax Filing and Payment Deadline Extension The federal tax return filing deadline is now July 15, 2020. For tax payments of up to $10 million, the IRS has also extended the deadline for both individuals and businesses. Estimated tax payments for 2020 originally due on April 15, 2020, will now be due on July 15, 2020.

Check with your state tax agency to find out if your business has more time to file or more time to pay state and local taxes this year. Several states have already aligned their tax filing and payment dates with the new federal deadline. States also may waive or reduce penalties on late tax payments.

Reimbursement of Medical Leave Costs for SMBs The IRS recently updated information for employers regarding COVID-19-related medical leave.

The Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue and can be a term loan or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.

SBA Access to Capital provides a number of loan resources for small businesses to utilize when operating their business.

SBA Government Contracting: SBA is focused on assisting with the continuity of operations for small business contracting programs and small businesses with federal contracts.

If a situation occurs that will prevent small businesses with government contracts from successfully performing their contract, they should reach out to their contracting officer and seek to obtain extensions before they receive cure notices or threats of termination. The SBA’s Procurement Center Representatives can assist affected small businesses to engage with their contracting officer.

Use the Procurement Center Representative Directory to connect with the representative nearest you.

The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America: 15 Days to Slow the Spread

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. This interim guidance is based on what is currently known.

State and Local

Alabama

ALtogether is a one-stop-shop where Alabamians can ask for help or lend a hand during the COVID-19 crisis. This response effort is designed to connect businesses, nonprofits and people that need help with the right program partners–and to connect program partners with people and resources to help those most in need.

Alaska

Alaska Small Business Development Center COVID-19 Resource Center: The impact of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Alaskan communities and businesses is changing daily. The Alaska SBDC is here to support and prepare small businesses in the days, weeks, and months to come. Here you will find guidance, updates, and resources to help adapt in an unpredictable situation.

Read More Here -> https://sba.thehartford.com/business-management/covid-19-relief-guide/

If your small business has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, learn how ICRS can help your business income loss claim.

$2 Billion in Insured Losses from 9 Tornadoes in Dallas, TX

Sunday’s tornadoes in DFW have resulted in an estimated $2B in losses, making the event the costliest in North Texas history.

Wind and tornado damage claims are prone to repair vs replace disputes. If you’re filing a claim due to damage from the tornadoes in Dallas, TX, reach out to the expert claim adjusters at ICRS. The best time to have Insurance Claim Recovery Support LLC public adjusting firm represent your interests is now before a problem arises. We have assisted owners and operators to settle over $100M in Commercial and Multifamily property damage insurance claims fairly and promptly, and represent some of the largest real estate organizations in Texas.

Texas insurance claim bill Texas HB 1774 went into law effective September 1, 2017

In September of 2017, a Texas insurance bill was passed into law which is a major loss for Texas property owners. House Bill 1774 further enables bad faith insurance companies to abuse policyholders deploying unfair claim handling practices that force consumers to sue insurers for underpaying, delaying or wrongfully denying “force of nature” related insurance claims. The bill is an Insurer-friendly attempt to make it harder for Policyholders to bring and litigate force of nature-related property claims.

The media and insurance company lobbyists tout the bill will put an end to frivolous lawsuits surrounding weather disasters such as hailstorms and lower premiums by de-incentivizing trial lawyers gaming the system to get massive attorney’s fees. However, the new law reaches far beyond hail related occurrences, it encompasses other nature-related events including property damage covered for earthquake, wildfire, flood, tornadoes, lightning, hurricane, wind, snowstorm, or rainstorm.

HB 1774 offers little to no real mechanisms to curb lawsuits or hold insurer’s accountable for bad faith insurance claim handling acts which force many policyholders to file lawsuits even after making reasonable efforts to settle a claim with the assistance of a licensed public insurance adjuster. The legislation limits the ability of property owners to hold insurers accountable for underpaid claims or poorly handled claims investigations.

The bill actually cuts penalties for insurers sued for underpaying, delaying or wrongfully denying storm claims, including wind and hail damage, while making it harder for those suing to collect attorneys’ fees.

HB 1774 will force a majority of claim cases into federal court, which typically takes twice as long to receive justice, adds cost and uncertainty for property owners who attempt to legally challenge insurers’ decisions.

Many insurance companies pay property owners as little and as late as possible and drag the process out as long as they can. Texans can expect more delays and denials from insurers and less accountability. The harmful effect of this new law for homeowners, businesses, churches, and schools will be state-wide.

It is also noteworthy that HB 1774 passed in the absence of a Commissioner at the Texas Department of Insurance who regulates the insurance industry and protects consumers. Previous Commissioner of Insurance David Mattax sadly passed away in April of 2017 and to date, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has not appointed a new Commissioner to the Texas Department of Insurance.

Changes to the Texas Insurance Code

The “Hailstorm Bill”, effective September 1, 2017, adds several new provisions to the Texas Insurance Code affecting first-party property insurance claims. Notably, the bill would create a new Chapter 542A for weather-related claims, which changes the requirements for pre-suit notice and inspections, allow for the assumption of agent liability, and limit the number of recoverable attorneys’ fees. Other changes are as follows:

Inspections – Section 542A.004 provides that the person who receives pre-suit notice may provide a written request to inspect the insured property within 30 days after receiving the notice. It further provides that the inspection is to actually occur within 60 days of the date the person receives the pre-suit notice if reasonably possible.
Assumption of Liability – Section 542A.006 allows insurers to elect to assume whatever liability an agent might have to the claimant for the agent’s acts or omissions related to the claim by providing written notice to the claimant. An agent includes any employee, agent, representative, or adjuster acting on behalf of the insurer. Once the insurer assumes the agent’s liability, the claims against the agent must be dismissed with prejudice. By allowing the assumption of an adjuster’s or insurance agent’s liability, the bill aims to make it easier for insurers to remove cases to federal court.
Limitation of Attorneys’ Fees – If the policyholder’s attorney fails to comply with the new pre-suit notice requirements, the policyholder may be prohibited from recovering attorneys’ fees. Additionally, if a claim is tried, the number of recoverable attorneys’ fees will be adjusted. For a claimant to recover all attorneys’ fees, the award must equal at least 80% of the pre-suit damages demand, while a pre-suit demand equaling 20-79% of the damages award allows only for a scaled percentage recovery of attorneys’ fees. Should the award be 20% or less of a claimant’s original demand, the claimant recovers no attorneys’ fees. So now there arguably an incentive for Insurers to pay 20% less on every claim.
Reduced Statutory Penalty Interest – The new law lowers the penalty interest rate that insurers must pay if they fail to pay “timely and fully” from 18% per annum to a rate of adding 5% to the interest rate determined under Section 304.003 of the Finance Code, prejudgment interest which is currently 5%. Thus, the penalty is lowered from 18% to 10%. For claims to which Chapter 542A does not apply, however, the statutory penalty interest rate would still be 18%. That’s right, Texas lawmakers have lowered the penalty on Insurers who abuse the system and take advantage of the consumer from around 18% to 10%.
Rep. Greg Bonnen sponsored the bill passed by the Texas House. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and The Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions (TCAIS), which represents major homeowners insurance companies doing business in Texas, praised the passage of HB 1774.

How a Public Adjuster Can Help With Hurricane Insurance Claims

Hurricane season is upon us, and it can be a terrifying time. But if you have insurance coverage for your home or business, then you are likely already aware that the process of filing a claim after hurricane damage can be daunting. It’s up to you to document every loss and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company on behalf of yourself as well as all other people who have filed claims against your policy. The problem is that this process requires many hours of work, which leaves little time to take care of other things in life like family or running your business.

The aftermath of a hurricane can be devastating to those who suffer damage from the storm. If you have homeowners or windstorm coverage and flood insurance, you will be thankful for the help that public adjusters provide. These professionals manage your claim in exchange for a fee or percentage of the payout. They work on your behalf and negotiate with the insurance company on all aspects of your claim: how much money is owed, what needs to be repaired, and what items need to be replaced. Insurance company adjusters represent their employer’s interests; they are not impartial like public adjusters are.

Anyone who suffers damage from a hurricane will be thankful if they have homeowners or windstorm coverage and flood insurance. But much work lies ahead. Filing claims for major damage can be a full-time job because you must document every loss and negotiate a fair settlement. Omissions and missteps you make can mean a lower payout.

That’s where public insurance adjusters come in. These professionals manage the claim for you in exchange for a fee or percentage of the insurance payout. While insurance company adjusters represent the insurer’s interests, public insurance adjusters represent you. Their job is to get you every dollar to which you’re entitled.

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When to hire a pro to settle an insurance claim with a public adjuster

(MoneyWatch) A few days ago I wrote about how to challenge the first offer from your insurance company in respect to a claim you have filed. In that column, I stressed the importance of carefully reviewing the public adjuster report and using the documentation you gathered to make your case for a larger settlement.

But if you have a very large insurance claim or there is a significant difference between what the adjuster says the insurance company will pay and what you believe should be paid under your policy, you may want to consider getting a professional to help.

Public adjuster
One such claims professional is a public adjuster, or PA. This is a person who is licensed to represent insured claims for the purposes of seeking a full and timely settlement. When there is a dispute over a claim, the burden of proof is on the insured. A public adjuster will document the loss, gather supporting replacement cost information and negotiate with the insurance company to maximize your settlement. You can find out more about PAs at the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters website.

When to lawyer up
If your insurance company is digging in its heels and you are getting nowhere, you may have to resort to hiring an attorney. Don’t seek the counsel of just any lawyer, but instead seek an attorney who specializes in the practice of law in the areas of “Plaintiffs Insurance Coverage” or “Bad Faith Litigation.” The insurance company will use a very skilled insurance defense attorney to represent them and your attorney should be a worthy opponent. Check with your county bar association and ask for a referral for attorneys who specialize in this area of the law.

The downside with hiring a PA or an attorney is that you will pay additional costs. PAs and Plaintiffs Insurance Attorneys typically charge either a fee as a percentage of your settlement proceeds (10 to 33 percent) or hourly rates that can range from $75 to $350 per hour.

As should be done before hiring any professional, ask for and check client references of any PA or attorney before you agree to retain their services.

The following excerpt from a policy holders web site sums it up: “If you can communicate effectively in writing and in person with your insurance company, with confidence, polite aggression, and insistence on your rights, you may not need an attorney (or a PA)… If you are feeling frustrated, angry or anxious or are unsure about your rights, a qualified attorney (or PA) can help.”

Read more here

3 Important Tips for Filing your Commercial Insurance Claim

We encourage small businesses to take a look at commercial insurance claim policies every 2-3 years to ensure they’re properly covered. Prevention is also key: owners should evaluate possible threats to the business, develop recovery plans, and test those plans all in advance.

Scott Lacourse, a contributing writer for the Boston Business Journal, makes a crucial note in relation to small businesses:

Whether the damage is small or large, tangible or not, any business owner in the process of filing a commercial insurance claim faces a good deal of stress. More time and effort is needed to maintain the business while repairs are negotiated with the insurance policy provider.

We encourage small businesses to take a look at policies every 2-3 years to ensure they’re properly covered. Prevention is also key: owners should evaluate possible threats to the business, develop recovery plans, and test those plans all in advance.

Scott Lacourse, a contributing writer for the Boston Business Journal, makes a crucial note in relation to small businesses:

“Many small businesses skip insurance altogether, or fail to get the coverage they need to cope with incidents like major flooding. Almost 40 percent of small businesses never reopen following a disaster, according to FEMA.”

The strength of this data demonstrates the importance of analyzing acquired insurance policies and minimizing the effects of destructive events. However, should an occurrence arise, we’ve put together three tips to help with your next (or current) commercial insurance claim:

Be attentive to coverage policy time periods

If a commercial insurance claim must be made, owners should take considerable care in filing the claim within the temporal parameters set by the insurance provider. Otherwise, extra costs and impediments may extend the amount of time for recuperation.

Below is a chart that outlines the time-based functions of certain insurance policies as they handle declared claims and actual occurrences.

If you have questions specific to your policy, contact your agent. However, rest assured that, as shown above, real occurrences (during the policy period) will most always be covered, “no matter how much later they are reported.”

Take inventory, record documents, and stay organized 

The evidence for a commercial insurance claim to be submitted needs to be kept together and controlled. Keeping track of all damage is crucial if these problems are to be resolved efficiently.

Some ways to organize include taking inventory of all materials affected, protecting all documents and copies that may be related to the incident, and even taking pictures or procuring a claim from the police (if the situation is applicable).

It also wouldn’t hurt to stay in touch and follow up with the people involved, especially your insurance adjuster.

Hire a loss management team

In the case of large commercial insurance claims, owners might consider hiring a loss management team.

A loss management team could consist of a professional loss specialist, legal expert, or forensic accountant who would help file the claim. Commercial insurance claims are of a legal nature, after all, and if business owners are not experts in this field, it could help to have someone who is on their side.

This decision, again, would depend upon the severity of the incident that caused the claim and if the owner would find such a support group financially feasible—as it would involve added costs.

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Public Insurance Adjusters: When To Hire One And Why

Insurance adjusters are responsible for evaluating the extent of damage to a home after an incident like a fire or windstorm. And public insurance adjusters evaluate property loss on behalf of a policyholder and help them file insurance claims in exchange for a fee. They are licensed professionals who work for individuals and businesses – not insurance companies – and can save you a lot of money by ensuring your insurance company is paying the full amount it is responsible for under your policy

What is a public insurance adjuster?

Public insurance adjusters are the only property loss professionals who work on behalf of policyholders. Individuals and businesses hire public insurance adjusters when they need assistance filing a claim or feel a claim amount offered by an insurance company is incorrect.

Claims for flood, fire, smoke, wind and hurricane damage, as well damage due to other perils, can be filed and negotiated by public adjusters. Property losses might also result in other types of losses, such as business income, which public adjusters can evaluate.

What A Public Adjuster Does For You

Public insurance adjusters are experts in the details and language of insurance policies, as well as at filing and adjusting claims. They commonly have prior experience in construction or another related field, and use sophisticated software to perform an independent evaluation of a client’s property loss. They know exactly how to log and submit initial and supplemental claims for a policyholder.

Sample insurance adjuster claim information

The process of evaluating, completing and submitting a claim for a policyholder is remarkably exhaustive. In the table below are item descriptions, quantities and costs pulled from an example of a property insurance claim form. It’s unlikely a policyholder would be able to complete a form accurately with a similar level of detail, since every claim is different.

Item Description
Quantity
Unit Cost
Total Cost
Replace Partial Wall Insulation 206.00 SF@ $1.25 $257.00
Replace Drywall Walls 328.00 SF@ $3.00 $984.00
Replace Base & Trim 52.00 SF@ $7.50 $390.00
Replace Wood Floor 165.00 SF@ $10.50 $1,732.00
Replace Carpeting 22.00 SF@ $36.00 $792.00
Replace Electric Outlet 9.00 EA@ $90.00 $810.00
Prime Paint Ceiling & Walls 601.00 SF@ $0.55 $330.55

They also help clients negotiate with contractors and their insurer. Having an adjuster throughout the process not only protects the policyholder from any pitfalls due to inexperience, it is a time consuming process then labored by the adjuster.

Public vs company and independent adjusters

Public adjusters are one of the three main categories of insurance adjuster, and each is employed by a different group. Insurance companies, businesses and individuals all use insurance adjusters to evaluate property loss and determine the dollar amount a claim should pay out. To better cater to the different parties, there are three distinct types of insurance adjusters: company adjusters, independent adjusters and public adjusters.

Company insurance adjusters are employed by carriers and sent to evaluate claims filed by their company’s policyholders. Independent adjusters also work for insurance companies, but act more as consultants. Independent insurance adjusters are usually hired on an as-needed basis because of a surge in demand or for specific expertise.

Should I use a public adjuster?

Anyone considering filing a property insurance claim should also think about hiring a public adjuster, especially if the claim is for a high amount. As a policyholder, you have little to lose: Many public adjustment firms offer to visit a property loss free of charge to help a policyholder determine the severity of damage and whether they should file an insurance claim.

Even if a policyholder is confident in the dollar value of their property loss, it is good practice to get a second opinion on a costly event like a home insurance claim. Frequently, adjusters visit a home or business and find that their loss estimate is far below what it should be. Public adjusters are professionals and it’s unlikely they will leave out costs in their calculations that a policyholder might forget or not know about. For example, if part of a roof is destroyed by wind, a homeowners risks miscalculating the cost of a new roof and neglecting to include the cost of removing the damaged roof altogether.

Submitting an accurate, detailed claim is crucial to getting the right about of money from an insurance company to cover a property loss. Remember, even the best homeowners insurance companies will never voluntarily pay more than an amount claimed. Policyholders need to be conscious they are claiming the correct amount and hiring a public adjuster can help ensure that.

How much does a public adjuster cost?

Many public adjusters do not charge a fee to visit the site of a loss and determine whether they will work with a policyholder on a case. However, they do charge a fee for working with a policyholder to file a claim.

Typically, a public adjuster will charge a percentage of whatever a policyholder’s insurance carrier ultimately pays for a claim. For example, say a policyholder hires an adjuster with a 10% fee and their insurance company ultimately pays $100,000 for their claim. The policyholder would then owe the public adjuster $10,000.

The fee percentage varies between adjusters and is usually capped by local or state law. For example, in the state of Florida, fees cannot exceed 20% of a reopened or supplemental claim limit. There also is a 10% fee limit for claims resulting from an event named a state of emergency by Florida’s governor.

Public adjusters also cap the dollar amount their fees can reach per claim. Generally, public adjusters with less experience might cap their fees at $5,000 per claim. Experienced adjusters might cap their fees at much higher amounts, such as $10,000 or $15,000. For example, a public adjuster might collect a fee of $15,000 for a $350,000 claim, instead of their normal 20% fee which would amount to $70,000. They also might negotiate a lower percentage fee for large claims, such as property losses of $1 million or more.

How to choose a public adjuster

There are a number of things a policyholder can do to make sure they are hiring a good public adjuster. The first thing they should check is whether the public adjuster can legally practice. Public insurance adjusters must be licensed in every individual state they practice in. Like other professionals, they also must be bonded and participate in continuing education courses to maintain their licensure. Do not work with any other individual, such as a contractor or an attorney, that offers to provide claim adjustment services, if they are not licensed to do so. Practicing without a license is against the law and the license is an important benchmark of knowledge and qualification.

Will your adjuster be handling your claim personally? Some public adjustment firms might send one adjuster to do an estimate and another to follow up and thoroughly analyze a claim. As a policyholder, you might prefer to work personally with a single adjuster, but having a firm send more than one person might not be a bad thing. Another adjuster might take over a claim simply because they have more experience with a certain type of damage. For example, one adjuster might know their firm is interested in working on your fire claim, but another adjuster with the firm might have more experience with fire damages and handle your claim from that point on.

Ask for a referral or reference. A referral from an acquaintance that already worked with an adjuster is best. However, if no one you know can make a recommendation, ask the public adjuster under consideration for the contact information of some of their previous clients. Make sure others have had a good experience working with them.

We also recommend that you read reviews of public adjusters online. The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) has a directory of its members, though membership does not preclude someone from being a licensed or qualified adjuster for your claim.

Does your public adjuster have the right level of experience? Depending on the severity and complication of a claim, a policyholder might want to seek out a more experienced public adjuster. Ask what types of claims they have worked on, and do they have experience with your insurer? Ask public adjusters how long they have practiced and what types of claims they have worked on. An adjuster should display this information on their website and, generally, more experienced adjusters charge a higher fee. Remember, the number of years an adjuster has practiced or the volume of claims they handle each year are not necessarily indicators of their experience level. For example, a very experienced adjuster might only take on a dozen claims per year, but only because they might be choosing to work on large, complicated claims for high dollar amounts.

What are the adjuster’s terms of communication? A public adjuster generally handles a the entirety of a claim for their clients, but some policyholders might still want some level of involvement. Discuss this with your public adjuster before you hire them. You want to hire an adjuster with whom you are comfortable communicating throughout the process

When you need an attorney, not a public insurance adjuster

Policyholders who file a claim and receive a proposed settlement from their insurer they see as unfair might think they need to hire an attorney to dispute their claim. In that case, they usually do not – they need to hire a public adjuster.

In fact, policyholders commonly hire public insurance adjusters at that point in the claims process. A public adjuster can assist them in reopening a claim and filing a supplemental claim for additional payments with their insurer.

However, if an adjuster negotiates with an insurance company and still believes the policyholder is owed a larger settlement than the insurer is willing to provide, you may have to turn to litigation. Should a policyholder decide the cost of an attorney and filing a lawsuit against their insurance company is worth the desired settlement, then a lawsuit could be the next step.

It is possible that any insurance company might refuse to negotiate with a public adjuster or refuse to pay a policyholder’s desired settlement. In that situation, hiring an attorney and litigation would be the only option. Fortunately for policyholders, this is fairly uncommon.

 

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Visit ICRS at Texas Apartment Association Expo

Visit ICRS at the Texas Apartment Association Expo to Get the Experts Working for You!

If you have an apartment and insurance claim issues, then let’s talk! Please visit us at Booth 205 this Thursday or Frida y at the TAA Expo. The Expo will run from 4:30pm-7:30pm on Thursday 4/25 and 11am-3pm on Friday 4/26.

ICRS is one of the largest public insurance adjusting firms dedicated to settling multifamily property damage insurance claims. We solely represent the interests of the insured policyholder (property owners, managers, and lenders). We are the apartment public adjusters that represent YOU, not the insurance company! Don’t wait another moment! Get the insurance claim settlement you deserve in the minimal amount of time. ICRS has delivered results from 47%, 102%, 3000%, to 9953% higher than the insurance carrier’s initial offer.

Everybody deserves a fair settlement. We can help! Find out more information by visiting us at Booth 205 at the Texas Apartment Association Expo.

 

 

texas apartment association expo

Don’t know if you need a public adjuster? Learn more about what adjusters do below:

Public Adjusters – Apartment Assoc. of Greater Dallas

Commercial & Multifamily Property Public Insurance Adjusters

Commercial & Multifamily Property Damage
Public Insurance Adjusters
NO RECOVERY, NO FEE

Don’t settle for less than you deserve!  Public Insurance Adjusters are the only type of licensed insurance claims adjusters who can legally represent the rights of an insured during an insurance claim process.

Insurance Claim Recovery Support (ICRS) is a leading public insurance adjusting firm licensed in several states who specializes in documenting, negotiating and settling large fire, hail, storm, business interruption and other covered property damage losses solely on the behalf of the insured policyholder, NOT the insurance company.

Complex multi-million dollar settlements have been negotiated by ICRS public insurance adjusters that were substantially lower, delayed or wrongfully denied before our involvement.   We pride ourselves on delivering fair property damage insurance claim settlements and avoiding unnecessary litigation for our policyholder clients of commercial properties, apartment complexes, hotels, multifamily buildings,  government agencies, property management companies, schools, industrial parks, developers, religious organizations, and homeowner associations over 14 years.

Stressing Over Insurance Claim Delays, Denials or Low Settlement Offers?

You wouldn’t hire the I.R.S. to prepare your tax returns so why would you allow your insurer to prepare your insurance claim?™

Don’t Take Chances!  Know your claim options and rights!

We exclusively represent the policyholder’s interests, NOT the insurance company.  You gain the competitive advantage of having a claim advocate who levels the playing field with your insurance company RISK FREE!

Commercial and Multifamily owners as well as property management companies have all greatly benefited with ICRS Public Insurance Adjusters’ representation.  Save valuable time and utilize decades of risk management strategies that deliver the fair settlement results you deserve.   Our public insurance adjusters only represent Policyholders so you know your interests from any fire, hail or other storm loss are properly submitted to your insurer by a licensed professional with a track record second to none!

–  Avoid unnecessary litigation;
– Reduce time and stress dealing with your insurance claim;
– Comprehensive “pro-policyholder” documentation that objectively supports the scope and value of your claim;
– We estimate the full scope of your damage for maximum recovery allowable under your policy coverage;
– Any areas of your policy “open to interpretation” are negotiated “pro-policy holder”;
– You get a claim advocate to help guide you through your policyholder rights;
– You get the maximum settlement you deserve in the shortest amount of time;
– We provide the knowledge and expert resources you need to get the fair settlement you deserve;
– We eliminate the burden, time and stress of you having to deal with your insurance company;
–  No Risk Offer – No Recovery, No Fee!

Fact: It is up to you, the insured, to present your claim to the insurance company to settle.  Your insurer has their teams of experts, shouldn’t you have yours?  Documentation and policy interpretation by a licensed expert engaged as your advocate is the key to successful claim recovery.

The insurance settlement process can be complex and can wear out even the most vigilant policy owners.  In many cases, if you aren’t represented by a licensed public insurance adjuster or have light documentation in your claim file, you could settle for much less than you may rightfully be entitled and the process could take longer time during a period when time is of the essence in your financial recovery.

Avoid Wrongful Claim Underpayments, Delays, Improper Investigations, & Denials!

ARE YOU FRUSTRATED AND WONDERING???

  • Who can help me with an insurance claim?
  • What is a public adjuster?
  • Where can I get a 2nd opinion on my current or old claim?
  • When will my claim settle?
  • Why am I not getting results on my own?
  • Can I have my property inspected for damage at no charge?
  • How do I get my claim settled fairly and promptly?
  • How do I avoid unnecessary delays, underpayments and litigation?
  • Why is my insurer ignoring me?
  • What do I have to do to get my insurer to respond to my claim issues?

>> GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED CLICK HERE NOW<<

Fighting to Recover Your Damages

  • No hidden surprises.
  • No out of pocket expenses.
  • Our fees are paid on the outcome of the claim settlement.

    100% No Risk Offer
    NO RECOVERY, NO FEE

We are your greatest advocate in the worst of times.