Compensation is based on a reasonable percentage of insurance company settlements, so there are never up-front costs or retainer fees. Fees start at just 10 percent of the recovery. Some property claims are more complex than others and may require legal representation. In these situations, ICC’s in-house legal counsel can assist. If there is no recovery by the policyholder, there is no fee for adjustment services.

When your property has been damaged, the public adjuster makes a complete, accurate inventory of the assets associated with the insured loss. Experienced public adjusters can accurately determine repair and replacement costs to ensure that claims are properly valued. Then, adjusters file the claim on the policyholder’s behalf and negotiate a satisfactory settlement with the insurer.

Company adjusters must balance their loss estimates with the insurance company’s interests. It’s in the insurer’s best interest to recommend less-expensive loss-recovery options, which might negatively affect your property’s value. The public adjuster has no such constraints, and makes recommendations based on returning the policyholder’s property to 100 percent of its pre-loss value.

Just as company adjusters work on behalf of insurance companies, public adjusters work on behalf of policyholders. Public adjusters handle all aspects of the claims process from beginning to end. Policyholders get full explanations of their coverage, loss and insurance company claim requirements. For example, if you are selling a home that requires a major repair for recent damages, consider contacting a public adjuster to determine if the loss is covered by insurance. If so, the resulting repairs could significantly boost your home’s resale value at little or no cost to you.

Adjusters should be licensed and experienced with a strong background in property loss events like fire, flooding, roof leaks, broken pipes and wind storms. A background in general contracting or construction management is helpful, along with a strong knowledge of insurance industry policies and regulations. Hiring a public adjuster ensures that all aspects of policy coverage and the claims process are carefully examined to provide policyholders with the most equitable settlement possible.