#1 PUBLIC CLAIMS ADJUSTERS
in Boca Raton, FL

When you call your homeowner’s insurance company to report damage, they’ll take your information and then send out a claims adjuster. The insurance claims adjuster will estimate the damage done to your home and then either offer a settlement right away or return to the insurer to make their report and let the insurer decide what to do – deny your claim or offer a settlement.

But how do insurance claims adjusters estimate damage in the first place? It depends on the situation. Let’s say someone broke into your home and stole your TV and audio system, which had a combined value of $5,000. The adjuster would take that value and relay it to the insurer, which would then compensate you based on the value of the stolen merchandise.

Things are different when it comes to homes damaged by disasters. Here, the insurance claims adjuster will need to inspect the damage to the home, including getting on the roof or entering crawl spaces if necessary, take pictures, and conduct a thorough analysis of the damage. The goal is to create an accurate image of your home before the damage occurred, including the costs of materials and possessions damaged during the disaster. It’s also about ensuring that the damage is actually due to a covered peril and not due to negligence and simply being covered up by the disaster.

Most insurance claims adjusters use a program called Xactimate to do all this. Xactimate can estimate damages by room, which works well in certain situations, but not in others. Most homeowners lack the knowledge and expertise to dispute Xactimate estimates, so if yours is wrong, you might feel stuck with it. One solution is to hire a residential public insurance claims adjuster to work on your behalf and either verify the insurance adjuster’s initial assessment or provide a more accurate assessment that supports a fairer settlement.

Water can wreak havoc on your home. Whether we’re talking about a burst pipe or storm damage, it’s important to involve your insurance company as soon as possible. They’ll arrange for a claims adjuster to visit your home to assess the damage. What should you do to prepare for the visit?

Understand that the situation will be handled differently depending on the source of the water. Sources inside the home include pipes and plumbing fixtures. Sources from outside the home include storms and flooding events. The source also determines the type of water. For instance, clean water would come from your home’s inbound water pipes, while gray water and black water would come from other sources. 

Your first step should be to document everything. Get pictures and videos of everything. This can be a stressful process, particularly if you’re still dealing with the aftermath of the disaster. You’ll also need receipts for things that you might use to help mitigate the damage, like caulking and tape. Make sure to email all of this (copies of the receipts) to your claims adjuster.

Next, you’ll want to ask your adjuster a few questions. When will you receive an advance on your structure and contents loss? What is their estimate on your building loss? Will the adjuster be the one to estimate the loss, or will other people be involved? 

Finally, remember that the adjuster works for the insurance company. Their job is to get as many claims assessed as possible as quickly as possible. They are also tasked with limiting the financial ramifications to the insurer, which might mean you receive a lowball settlement offer or that your claim is denied outright. 

Consider hiring a residential public insurance claims adjuster to work with you. At On Target Claims, we work with you, not the insurance company. We have years of experience working with customers throughout Florida, and we can help you negotiate a fair settlement with your insurer.

No, you don’t have to accept the insurance adjuster’s initial offer. In fact, accepting the first offer is almost guaranteed to lose you money on your settlement. Understand that the insurance adjuster works for your insurer – not you – and that means their ultimate mission is to protect the company’s profit margins. They do that by making lowball initial offers and even denying claims outright.

However, you should never reject the offer without the right things included in your response. Make sure that you have a clear statement telling the insurer that their offer is not accepted. You also need a list of why the offer is not acceptable. Finally, make sure that there’s a demand letter requesting an improved offer. 

In addition to requesting another offer, you can make a counteroffer. However, you’ll need to dot your I’s and cross your T’s with this method. You must have accurate cost information – it can’t be based on your best guess. You’ll need to include the purchase cost, devaluation, and other factors to prove why the adjuster’s first estimate was wrong and why your counteroffer is correct.

You can also hire a residential public insurance claims adjuster to work on your behalf. This gives you access to an industry expert with years of experience who can do all the heavy lifting (estimating) for you. Your claims adjuster will assess the damage to your home and then submit an accurate estimate to the insurance company. They’ll even help you negotiate the settlement.

At On Target Claims, our goal is simple – to help you get the fairest settlement possible and ensure that your insurer is holding up their end of the deal. If your home has been damaged in a disaster, contact us to assess the damage, even if the claims adjuster has already visited your home.

Hiring a public adjuster can significantly benefit you when dealing with complex claims involving home, business, fire, wind/hurricane, water/mold, or yacht damage. Public adjusters are experienced professionals who work on your behalf to maximize your compensation.

They possess expert knowledge of insurance policies, claims processes, and negotiation tactics, ensuring that you receive the maximum possible settlement for your loss.

A public adjuster plays a crucial role in advocating for your rights and interests throughout the claim process. They conduct a thorough assessment of the damages, document all losses meticulously, and develop a strong case to present to the insurance company. They have in-depth knowledge of policy coverage, can identify hidden damages, and possess excellent negotiation skills. By leveraging their expertise, a Boca Raton public adjuster helps you navigate the complexities of your claim and maximize your compensation.

Public adjusters are well-equipped to handle a wide range of claims, including those related to home, business, fire, wind/hurricane, water/mold, and yacht damage or loss. Whether it’s assessing property damages, estimating repair costs, or negotiating with the insurance company, a skilled public adjuster can effectively manage and represent your interests in various claim scenarios.

Public adjusters typically work on a contingency basis. This means that their fee is a percentage of the final settlement amount you receive from the insurance company. The exact percentage may vary, but it is important to clarify this with the public adjuster you choose. It’s worth noting that the fee is only payable once you receive your settlement, ensuring that the public adjuster’s interests are aligned with yours and that they are motivated to secure the maximum compensation possible for your claim.

Public adjusters are well-versed in the intricacies of claim documentation and paperwork. They can assist you by thoroughly documenting the damages, preparing and submitting the necessary paperwork, and ensuring that all required information is included. Their expertise in this area helps streamline the process and ensures that you submit a comprehensive and accurate claim, increasing your chances of receiving maximum compensation.

While every claim is unique, a skilled public adjuster can actually expedite the settlement process. They have a deep understanding of the insurance industry and claims procedures, allowing them to navigate the process efficiently. By handling negotiations, providing proper documentation, and advocating for your rights, a public adjuster can help facilitate a faster resolution to your claim.

Absolutely. Even if your insurance company has made an initial settlement offer, it may not reflect the full extent of your damages or losses. A public adjuster can review the offer, assess the adequacy of the compensation, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. They will strive to ensure that you receive a fair and comprehensive settlement that covers all your eligible damages, maximizing your compensation.