When it comes to property insurance claims, there are three types of professionals usually involved: contractors, public adjusters, and lawyers. Each of these professionals plays a distinct role in the claims process, each with their own strengths and licenses/authority. The key result from reading this blog is that you will have a better understanding their roles within the claims process, and this will help you navigate your claim to get the full, fair, and reasonable claim settlement that you deserve.
How Contractors Help During A Property Insurance Claim
After your property has been damaged, your first logical step is to hire a contractor to assess the damage and provide an estimate for the repairs. In the context of property insurance claims, sometimes the damages are so bad that the estimate you receive from the contractor is a large figure. In those cases, you may decide to file an insurance claim. A professional and licensed contractor will be able to provide a bid and scope of work for job at hand, and this is something that your insurance carrier will want to establish in the first place before making any payment on your claim.
Some contractors specialize in insurance claims work and have experience working with insurance companies to negotiate repairs and costs. These contractors can be invaluable in helping property owners navigate the claims process and ensuring that they receive the full amount of coverage that they are entitled to.
How Public Adjusters Help During A Property Insurance Claim
Public adjusters are licensed professionals who work on behalf of the policyholder to assess the damage to a property and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. Unlike insurance company adjusters, who work for and are paid by the insurance company, public adjusters work for the policyholder. Public Adjusters are policy experts, and for that reason they can act as a safeguard against unfair settlement practices or bad faith claim handling.
Public adjusters have in-depth knowledge of the insurance claims process and can help property owners navigate the complex world of insurance policies and procedures. We also help ensure that you as our client receive a fair settlement and that all damages are properly accounted for in your settlement. A public adjuster may or may not have construction experience, and they may or may not need to work in tandem with your contractor to figure out how to value your claim.
Either way, a Public Adjuster isn’t licensed (and so not really qualified) to do a contractor’s job and a contractor (in most states) isn’t licensed to do a Public Adjusters job.
How Attorneys Help During A Property Insurance Claim
While contractors and public adjusters are focused on repairing the damage to the property and negotiating a settlement with the insurance company, lawyers are focused on legal issues related to the claim. Attorneys are uniquely capable of taking insurance companies to the courts to make sure that they pay what is owed and in certain cases held accountable for bad faith claim handling or unfair settlement practices.
Lawyers may be called in if there is a dispute between the policyholder and the insurance company or if the policyholder believes that they have been unfairly denied coverage. They can also help ensure that the policyholder’s rights are protected throughout the claims process. In some cases, a lawyer may work with a public adjuster or contractor as experts during negotiations with the insurance company. This can be particularly helpful when the insurance company is being uncooperative or if the damages are particularly complex.
Closing Thoughts
Contractors, public adjusters, and lawyers all play important roles in the insurance claims process. While each of these professionals have a different focus, they all work together to ensure that property owners receive the coverage and settlement that they are entitled to. By understanding the roles of these players, hopefully you can better navigate your insurance claim better and ensure that your property is properly restored to its pre-loss condition.
If you have any questions about how to file an insurance claim, how to negotiate your insurance claim, or just general claim questions call us to get started now.
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