Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Public Adjuster and how can they help?

A Public Adjuster is licensed through the Indiana Department of Insurance and is legally able to represent the policy holder in an insurance claim. Often the insurance company utilizes staff adjusters who are on the payroll of the insurance company or they may use an independent adjuster to assess the damages on your claim. Both of these estimators represent the insurance company. Independents are often employed by IA firms that have a relationship with the carrier. As a result, the policy holder is at a disadvantage. Ultimately public adjusters provide a review of the claim and a second opinion which is important in itself.

Are public adjusters cost-effective to utilize?

Yes, because the public adjuster will work hard to get the actual amount you're owed for your claim. Each carrier has claim handling guidelines that they follow, however, the damages owed by insurance companies are supposed to make you whole again minus your deductible. Often these claim handling guidelines are the bare minimum leaving out line items that are legally required based on state and federal codes or their guidelines cause the claim to be underestimated. Sometimes insurance companies make mistakes or make errors and are not trying to but this is the nature of estimating. Independents are often employed in emergencies and may handle an exceptionally high volume of claims and speed can be detrimental to an accurate estimate of damages. A study by the state of Florida’s Office of Program and Policy analysis in 2010 found that public adjusters negotiate a significantly larger settlement than the initial offer from the insurance company.

Why can’t we just use a contractor to represent us in handling the claim?

Contractors are excellent in what they do, however, they are not considered an impartial party since they are vested in the repair work on your behalf. A contractor's job is to repair your dwelling like it was before but they can’t negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company. This would also take time away from their core business. It is better to utilize the services of a licensed public adjuster for the negotiation of the claim and free the contractor to exclusively focus on repairs. A Public Adjuster will often consult with contractors on repairs ensuring the most exact estimate possible. A Public Adjuster is a consultant and works with many professionals to maximize your settlement.

Do insurance claims take longer to settle when utilizing the services of a Public Adjuster?

It can depend on many variables. Documenting damages and presenting evidence often allows for a quick settlement. Most insurance companies will pay for documented damages and will want to avoid bad faith. They would prefer to settle a claim where obvious damages are presented to them and to avoid legal repercussions. Public Adjusters do not recommend lawyers, but this is always an option for a policy holder and insurance companies don’t want to not pay on a claim when it is obvious they would owe for missed or under-reported damage or practical line items that are necessary.

When is the best time to contact a Public Adjuster on my claim?

While it is best to contact a public adjuster early, you can contact a Public Adjuster at any time in the claim process. It is best if you can get a copy of your policy prior to meeting with a Public Adjuster to review the policy. The first step is always determining if you have coverage under the policy. After this, the public adjuster will want to document the damages and meet with the carrier’s staff adjuster. The last part is analyzing the insurance companies estimate with the public adjuster’s estimate and negotiating a settlement. If the insurance company already wrote an estimate, no problem contact a public adjuster even during this time or even later and the claim can still be reconciled.

What kinds of losses do Public Adjusters handle?

Public Adjusters handle residential and commercial property claims to your home or property including physical structure and contents. Public Adjusters handle first-party claims only. Public Adjusters handle all types of claims including fire, water damage from broken or leaky pipes, wind and hail, flood, tornadoes, natural disasters, and many other types of property claims. The perils covered and listed in your insurance policy are the same types of claims a Public Adjuster would handle.

How much do service cost?

CV Public Adjusting will be paid a small percentage of the final insurance settlement as payment for services rendered. CV Public Adjusting does not get paid until the policyholder receives payment from the insurance company.