Property damage can be expensive to repair, which is why most people have adequate insurance to cover the expenses. They pay premiums on insurance for commercial and residential properties and fully expect to get financial compensation if their property is damaged due to a covered peril. However, before they can claim the compensation, the property damage must be assessed. This is done by the insurance adjuster.
Who is an Insurance Adjuster?
The insurance adjuster is a professional who will inspect your property damage thoroughly and provide the report to your Insurance Company, with recommendations of payment. It is the adjuster’s duty to be thorough and inspect every area that has been effected by the covered peril, preparing an estimate and reaching an agreed scope and estimate with the contractor of your choice.
How to Handle the Claims Process
• Call the insurance company as soon as you can and report the damage. You should know that the insurance company will listen to everything you say carefully, so be honest and provide as many details as you can. You should also tell them if you’re uncertain about the full extent of the damage.
• Ask the insurance company to send a property damage adjuster immediately or hire third party independent adjuster to provide unbiased and straightforward advice.
• Once they’re in your property, point out the area where the damage is most visible and let them know if you don’t understand the full extent of it. As an insured person, you should make sure that the adjuster doesn’t limit their inspection to areas with visible damage. Not all damage caused by storms, floods, accidents, etc, are immediately apparent. You need to inspect the property closely to determine the full extent of the damage.
What Role Does the Insurance Adjuster Play?
An insurance adjuster is a very important part of the claims process. They help you and the insurance company agree on the acceptable compensation amount. Without the insurance adjuster, the insurance company would offer a possible compensation amount while you would try to get the highest possible one. Here is how an insurance adjuster can help you:
• They’re well-trained and have experience in assessing property damage. They’re familiar with different types of damage caused by natural disasters and accidents, so they’ll know where to check and how deeply they should investigate the matter.
• Adjusters are also familiar with the latest industry prices, so they will provide a fairly accurate estimate of the repair cost. An unbiased adjuster will ensure the compensation amount covers good quality materials and labor.
• An independent adjuster will meet with the insurance company representative and explain the extent of the damage and recommend steps which would restore the property to the pre-loss state.
• The adjuster’s goal is to ensure the company and the insured individuals come to an agreement regarding the compensation amount.
As you can see, the insurance adjuster plays an important role in the claims process and the right adjuster can ensure all parties involved are satisfied.
Ouellette & Associates, Inc. is an independent insurance claims firm covering the entire state of Indiana and the adjacent counties of Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. Click here to assign a claim.