Finding A Public Adjuster Near Me: 9 Mistakes To Avoid

Hiring a professional public adjuster can be a lifesaver when your home or business has been damaged by a natural disaster or unfortunate circumstances. However, making the wrong decisions when choosing a public adjuster can lead to further damage and financial losses. In this article, we will discuss nine mistakes to avoid when finding a public adjuster near you. Avoid these mistakes and you’ll be on your way to getting the compensation you deserve.

Doing Insufficient Research

If you hire the first public adjuster you come across without doing proper research, unfortunately, you might suffer from further damage and financial losses. This is one of the worst mistakes you can make.

Instead, do your due diligence and look for reviews on a public adjuster’s past work, as well as their qualifications and certifications.

Not Considering the Type of Payment

Hiring a public adjuster that offers a percentage of your claim as payment instead of an hourly or flat fee is a mistake you need to avoid. While this may not be applicable to every public adjuster, such types of payments may incentivize them to settle for less than what you deserve and may not have your best interests in mind.

Forgetting about Licensing

Another common mistake is forgetting to check if the public adjuster is licensed in your state. Each state may have different requirements, so make sure they are properly licensed before hiring them. Otherwise, you may run into more legal troubles.

Not Getting Everything in Writing

Not getting everything in writing, including the fees, services, and expectations from both parties is another mistake to avoid. Everything should be written down so as to prevent miscommunication and misunderstanding.

Hiring a Public Adjuster Recommended by Your Insurance Company

While hiring a public adjuster recommended by your insurance company may seem like an easier option, you need to avoid it at all costs. This is because the recommended public adjustors may not have the same level of dedication to getting the most compensation for you as an independent public adjuster would.

Not Checking for Conflicting Interests

If the public adjuster has any conflicts of interest, it could affect their ability to negotiate effectively on your behalf. As such, it is important to avoid this mistake. Conflict of interest could refer to having previously worked with or for your insurance company.

Not Considering the Experience

Neglecting to ask about the public adjuster’s experience and expertise in handling claims similar to yours is another mistake to avoid. Make sure they have relevant knowledge and skills before hiring them for the job.

Not Being Involved

Not staying involved in the claims process and directly communicating with your insurance company is another common mistake. This is still ultimately your claim, so make sure you stay informed and involved every step of the way.

Refusing to Hire a Public Adjuster

But above all, not hiring a public adjuster at all and trying to handle the claim on your own is probably the worst mistake to make. While it may seem like an easy solution to save money, public adjusters have expertise and experience that can significantly increase the amount of compensation you receive for damages. It’s worth investing in their services to ensure you get what you deserve.