In the field of adjusters, a public adjuster works as an insurance claims adjuster who is hired by the policyholder to assist them in the process of filing a claim with the insurance company. They help to protect the rights of a policyholder. These professionals will generally accept a percentage of the payout on the claim as their fee. Many policyholders will file a claim themselves but if the policyholder is afraid there will be a dispute on the claim or it is a complex claim it is best if you work with a public adjuster.
When hired by the policyholder you will look the insurance policy over in order to know what is covered and the coverage limits. The next step is to look at the situation for which the policyholder is filing a claim. The public adjuster will document the claim and packages it for the insurance company. When documenting the claim the adjuster will address key issues that could be used as grounds for a denial or dispute of the claim by the claim adjuster. If the payout is not what it should be then the adjuster will negotiate with the insurance company to get the best deal for the policyholder.
Before you can become a public adjuster you have to be licensed. In the United States what the requirements are to become licensed depends on the state. If you are a non-resident you could obtain a license there if both states will allow it. A common requirement is that you have to be at least eighteen years of age and pass a criminal background check. You also have to receive a passing score of at least eighty percent on the written public adjuster examination but the passing score can vary by state. All states have a licensing and application fee that you have to pay before you can get your license. Some states will require you to have a certain amount of experience adjusting claims that are first party. You may also be required to be supervised by a licensed adjuster for a certain length of time or have proof of employment.
Some states want their adjusters to continue their education. They have to follow all the laws that are set by their state or they can have their licenses revoked. Many public adjuster licenses expire after twenty-four months or it could be on the even years, depending on the state. Many states will send a notice when it is time to renew. If you miss the deadline to renew your license, some states that have a grace period while others make you retake the examination.
This article is penned by Lora Davis for Insurance Claim Recovery Support. Our licensed experts package your claim file for carrier submission and negotiate a fair and prompt insurance settlement. So if you need a commercial claims adjuster or insurance adjuster then we are able to help.
