Home:  Insurance:  When to Get an Adjuster for Your Insurance Claim

You Have Insurance. What About an Adjuster?

If you are like most Americans, chances are that you have at least one type of insurance policy. Unfortunately, however, owning an insurance policy can be just as confusing as searching for one. For example, what exactly does your insurance policy cover? What is the first thing you should do after filing a claim? Should you seek the services of an insurance adjuster? For that matter, do you even know what an insurance adjuster is?

In the next few paragraphs, you will learn the basics of insurance adjusters, including when to contact one and if one would be beneficial to your individual case. You will also learn where to look for an adjuster once you've decided their services might work for you. Please remember, though, that this article is only designed as a starting point, and you should always do your own further research before allowing anyone to have control over your claim.

The Insurance Adjuster That's Right for You

One of the most important steps in filing a large claim with your insurance company is to pick the insurance adjuster that's right for you. In order to do that, however, you must first understand what an insurance adjuster is supposed to do. In short, an adjuster serves as your advocate with the insurance company. They represent you after your loss to make certain that you are getting the appropriate amount of funds and that the insurance company is not trying to settle for less than you deserve.

You do not necessarily have to have an adjuster to get settlement funds, and many policyholders prefer to work with the company themselves rather than find and pay adjusters. The benefits of having an adjuster, though, are quite substantial. An adjuster's job is to know what type of settlement is fair in a particular case and how to talk to insurance companies in a convincing matter. The average policyholder does not know how to do these things himself and may settle for much less than he could have gotten. Additionally, companies may be more inclined to process your claim quickly and efficiently when they know a qualified expert is watching them.

Generally, insurance adjusters are most beneficial in settling large claims, though most advertise that no claim is too small. Adjuster fees vary by company, but most charge a certain percentage of the settlement, much like lawyers. Also, as with attorneys, it is critical to pick the right adjuster. While you can find lists on the Internet and in the yellow pages, you should always ask for a copy of past success stories when visiting with an adjuster and, if possible, talk to some of their satisfied clients. Be wary of firms that do not admit to losing some settlements or who offer much cheaper rates than their counterparts, as this is generally a sign of poor business. And, as always, do not feel obligated to go with the first adjuster you meet. If you feel at all uncomfortable or uncertain, please keep looking!

With a little patience and research, you can soon be on your way to the settlement you deserve but thought was impossible. Good luck!

Insurance Articles

More Insurance Info