We know you're frustrated. We know you're overwhelmed. And we know there are many unanswered questions. You can call us at (305) 696-7818 with any questions you have about your claim, but in the meantime, here's a quick and painless FAQ that should address all of your initial concerns:
What is an insurance policy and what does it cover?
A policy is the legal agreement between you and your insurance company. It explains what coverage is provided, what the limits are for each type of coverage, how much you pay for it and other important details about the benefits.
When an insured event happens, it’s important to make sure you have all the information about your policy so that you can file a claim correctly and get paid in full for your losses. If you don’t have all this information at hand or if something seems off about a claim filing process, contact us so we can help out
What should I do after my property is damaged?
Do your best to stop further damage.
Take pictures and video of damages.
Call your public adjuster as soon as possible after the loss occurs, so he/she can assess the situation and make recommendations on how best to proceed with repairs or replacement of damaged property items, as well as financial needs that may result from these losses (e.g., temporary living arrangements).
What is a Public Adjuster?
A public adjuster is an independent professional who represents the policyholder. They are not employed by the insurance company, but instead they are paid by you, the policyholder. This means that if you don't get paid, they don't get paid either!
What is the Purpose of a Public Adjuster?
Their job is to help their clients get the best possible insurance settlement after a loss.
They will review your policy and explain what it covers and doesn’t cover.
They will gather evidence and hire experts to build a case for what you deserve to be paid.
They will deal with the insurance company, keep track of deadlines, fill out paperwork, submit requested documents, and negotiate with the insurance company.
If an agreement cannot be reached between you and your insurer, they will help your attorney file a lawsuit against them in court asking that they pay you the money you are rightfully owed.
Are Public Adjusters worth it?
Is hiring A public adjuster A good idea?
Public Adjusters are worth the cost. They can get you more money than the insurance company will pay. They handle all the paperwork for you and make sure that everything is done correctly.
If you hire a Public Adjuster, don't worry about any of the work involved with filing a claim yourself or trying to negotiate with an insurance adjuster. Instead, just focus on taking care of your property as quickly as possible and let them handle things from there!
It's important to note that not every Public Adjuster is created equal—some may be better at negotiating than others. So if you're considering hiring one, do your research ahead of time so that when disaster strikes (and it will), you'll know whom to call!
How much does A Public Adjuster cost?
The most a public adjuster in Florida can charge for a claim is 20% of the claim settlement. However, if the Governer declares a state of emergency that fee is reduced to 10% for any claim made in the first year after the date of loss.
How does a Public Adjuster get paid?
Public adjusters are paid on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only receive payment if the policyholder receives a settlement or award. If there is no settlement or award, you do not pay your public adjuster any money.
Once the settlement or other resolution is reached with the insurance company, then your public adjuster gets paid by taking out his fee from what you receive
Can I get more money than what my insurance adjuster is offering me?
Yes. You can get more money than what your insurance adjuster is offering you. In fact, in Florida, most public adjusters are able to get a settlement 5-7 times higher than what the insurance company offers. OPPAGA
Why would you want to hire a public adjuster instead of just going with an onsite contact from your insurance company? Because public adjusters know how the system works and how much they can pay out on each type of repair or replacement that needs to be done after a hurricane or storm has passed through. And since public adjusters work for their clients and not for the insurance companies, they're willing to go above and beyond in order to make sure everything gets repaired properly so as not have any further issues down the road (i.e., mold).
Can I prepare my own claim?
You can try, but you might not do as well as a professional. In fact, you could create problems for yourself and your claim by not filing correctly.
Insurance claims are difficult and you need to know about insurance procedures, deadlines, and Florida law to file them correctly. Filing a claim without the help of an experienced public adjuster can mean a smaller payout or even denial of your claim.
Insurance companies have lawyers and experts on their side. When you prepare your own insurance claim, you will be on your own against them. It's not just about evidence – it's about knowing what questions to ask, holding them to a strict timeline and having a plan for how to support your claim quickly and efficiently.
When should I hire a Public adjuster?
You should consider hiring a public adjuster if:
You have damages to your property and are thinking about filing a claim.
Your claim is not being paid in a timely manner.
Your claim has been denied and you want someone who can help you get the money you deserve.
Is it too late to hire a Public Adjuster if my claim has been settled and closed?
It’s never too late to hire a public adjuster. If you are not happy with your settlement or your claim has been denied a public adjuster can help with filing or reopening the claim so that you get the compensation you need and deserve to repair your property.
What should I consider when hiring a Public Adjuster?
License & Appointment. Make sure their public adjustment license and appointment are up-to-date with the State of Florida. Some people are not licensed as Public Adjusters. Click Here to Check The License of A Public Adjuster Experience. Public Adjusters come from a wide range of backgrounds. Ask about their experience and training. It's always a good idea to ask for references. Comfort Level. This person will be helping you through a very hard time and resolving the claim could take some time. Find someone who fits your needs and give you the confidence to move forward.
Who regulates Public Adjusters in Florida?
The Florida Department of Financial Services has laws on how a public adjuster can get a license and keep that license active.
You can always check if someone’s license is active by entering their name or license number at the Florida Department of Financial Services License Search.
What is the difference between an independent / staff adjuster and a public adjuster?
While the terms "independent" and "staff" adjuster are sometimes used interchangeably, here's a quick refresher on their differences:
Independent adjusters: Independent adjusters work for themselves and can be hired out to insurance companies. They can be hired by either the claimant or insurance company. Some independent public adjusters work with a team of staff adjusters to provide services to both parties during an investigation process.
Staff/Company Adjusters: These types of claims professionals work directly for an insurance company as part of their claims department. They're not able to represent clients in court or negotiate settlements; they have more limited authority than other types of claims professionals like public or independent adjusters.[1] You should know that if you're considering hiring someone who works for an insurance company (whether they call themselves staff or independent), make sure they aren't required by law within your state!
Will hiring a public adjuster affect my relationship with my insurance company or their willingness to insure my home in the future?
No. A public adjuster is an independent contractor who works for you and not your insurance company. He or she is not representing the insurance company, but rather works on your behalf to file claims and make sure that you get everything that you are entitled to.
As a result, it shouldn't affect your relationship with them in any way going forward.
Will my insurance company cancel my Policy if I hire a public adjuster?
No. Insurance companies are not allowed to cancel a policy if you hire a public adjuster. It's against Florida law, and the insurance company may even be fined if they do so.
Public adjusters work with insurance companies all the time, and they're not going to cancel your policy just because you hire one.
Will my insurance premium go up if I hire a public adjuster?
There are many reasons your insurance premium can go up: number of claims opened, property changes, inflation, construction costs, etc.
However, your insurance premium will not go up because you hired a public adjuster.
If you have questions about your claim, call us - we can help!
If you have questions about your claim, call us - we can help!
It's always good to have a public adjuster on your side.
Public adjusters will work with you during the settlement process to ensure that you receive the highest possible compensation for your loss. They will work hard to get the best result possible for their clients and negotiate with insurance companies in order to keep things fair for everyone involved.
Conclusion
We hope that you found the answers to all of your questions in this article. If you have additional questions or would like more information, please call us at (305) 696-7818 and we can assist you. You can also e-mail us at info@santospa.com