What is a Public Adjuster?

A: The fee charged by a public adjuster is state specific, dependent on claim size and complexity but typically 10% of the settlement, less the deductible. The fee is usually on a contingency basis. If you do not receive settlement from your insurance company, our public adjusters do not collect a fee. Our service fee is due in full upon receipt of payment from the insurance company.

A: While insurance companies seek maximum profits the adjusters that they employ are frequently overworked and underpaid. Many company adjusters will not have the time to determine everything that you are entitled to. In addition adjusters in the direct employment of an insurance company have as part of their compensation strong encouragement to save money whenever possible. A good public adjuster works diligently to prepare and present your claim to the insurance company and is not influenced by any conflict of interest.

A: After you report a claim to your insurance company, they will send an adjuster whose job is to represent the interests of their employer, your insurance company…to assess your damages.  Often their job is to document and minimize the amount of the insurance company’s payment.  In other words, while “independent” or “staff” adjuster’s job is to document your claim “pro-insurer”, our job is to document and negotiate your claim “pro-policyholder”.  You wouldn’t hire the I.R.S. to prepare your tax returns so why would you allow your insurer to prepare your claim damages? By hiring a public adjuster, you will feel more confident that your rights are being protected by a professional who is working for you.

A: Texas Insurance Code §4102.163 prohibits a roofing contractor from acting as a public adjuster or advertising to adjust claims for any property for which the contractor is providing or may provide roofing services, regardless of whether the contractor holds a license under this chapter. Contractors can provide estimates and discussing estimates or other technical information with an insurer or its adjuster.  While roofers and construction contractors can still provide valuable services both in identifying physical damage and building failures and in completing construction projects, when it comes to insurance claim negotiation and coverage evaluation, Texas law is clear and insurer’s adjusters know the law so it’s best to leave settling claims to the licensed professionals at ICRS.

UPPA laws were first introduced in Texas in 2013 and became part of the Texas Insurance Code under section 4102.163. However, the statue was only aimed at “roofing contractors” and wasn’t specific enough to include any other type of contractor in the state. Over the past few years, UPPA has expanded into several other trades outside of roofing – particularly water remediation and flooding. In an effort to protect policyholders, the Texas legislature has expanded UPPA using HB2103.

HB2103 deletes the word “roofing” from the statue – now includes all contractors
new language is added to the statute clarifying that a contractor cannot use an assignment of benefits or power of attorney form.

A: We strongly urge commercial and multifamily policyholders to engage our representation at the beginning of the claim process especially if your damages exceed $100,0000.  Large loss claims are prone to disputes, it is much better if we document, meet with your insurer, negotiate, assist you in meeting your burden of proof and assert your coverage position in real time alongside the insurer’s representatives rather than after the insurer has made a coverage determination.  The insurer is required to give equal consideration to information we provide to their own.  We provide the your claim supporting documentation in realtime, our clients tend to experience a much smoother claim settlement process rather than waiting for problems or surprises to arise and then we fix them.  Our close ratio for settling claims with a small number ever escalating to litigation or appraisal.  When attorney’s or appraisers get involved, so does time and expense.  Our motto is to get claims settled and avoid escalating matters like the plague!  We routinely reverse initially underpaid, denied or delayed settlements everyday but time is money so the best path to get back to business and minimize the risk of delays and underpayments is to engage ICRS at the beginning of a claim.

A: Even if you read your policy from cover to cover, you will not know how the insurance company interprets and applies the numerous and lengthy clauses and endorsements to the policy. With a public adjuster protecting your interests, you can rest assured that the policy will be professionally interpreted and explained to you. In addition, there are laws and statutes that apply to the insurance industry that you may not be aware of. These are things that a public adjuster will be equipped to handle because they work in the field every day.

A: Small claims might take only a few days. The average wind, hail or fire loss can take between 60 and 120 days to process. The length of time needed is based on the complexity of the claim.

Insurance Claim Recovery Support understands the sense of urgency you feel and the desire you have to quickly resume your daily life. We will do everything in their power to ensure your claim is processed quickly and efficiently, while at the same time maximizing your claim benefits.

A: Yes, anyone can try to prepare a claim, but not everyone is equipped to do so. The public adjuster will have access to the tools and software needed to handle your claim. The Public Adjuster stands on an equal footing with the insurance company when it comes to the handling, preparation and presentation of your claim.