What do home insurance adjusters do?
Home insurance adjusters fulfill several duties for insurance companies, including:
Asking you questions about your claim by phone
Visiting your house to evaluate the scope of damage
Speaking with witnesses, doctors, or employers for more information
Looking at official police reports or documents related to the claim
Consulting with legal counsel on complicated claims
A home insurance adjuster’s investigation allows them to achieve several objectives:
Deciding whether a policy covers a loss
Determining a fair payout
Investigating any potential insurance fraud
Settling the claim
Authorizing payments to the mortgage company or homeowners[4]
How much does a home adjuster cost?
Insurance companies typically employ home insurance adjusters, who provide their services at no cost to the homeowner. However, some homeowners prefer to hire a public adjuster to investigate claims. If you choose this route, you should vet public adjusters by checking qualifications and references.
While a public adjuster may have your best interests in mind, they can only get you the amount you’re entitled to under your insurance policy. Hiring a public adjuster could provide a smoother claims process and more confidence in the settlement amount. However, public adjusters may charge up to 15% of the settlement amount for their services.[5]
Should you hire a public adjuster?
The Insurance Information Institute recommends that you be wary of public insurance adjusters who show up at your door after a natural disaster and that you should avoid working with anyone who pressures you. But you may want to get a second opinion from an independent adjuster in some instances.
If you want someone on your side who can explain the claims process, or if you’re worried the insurance company’s settlement offer is too low, hiring a public adjuster might make sense.
However, you should thoroughly research your options and ensure you understand the fees before hiring a public adjuster. Public adjusters will take a portion of your settlement amount, so you may get less money than you need to repair your home.
Important Information
The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters can be a place to find a public adjuster if you decide you need one to assist with your home insurance claim.