FAQS
What Is A Public Insurance Adjuster?
Public Adjusters are licensed and bonded professionals who are retained by policyholders to assist in documenting, filing, and monitoring the progress of insurance claims. A Public Adjuster works for the person, group or business that has sustained a loss. Public Adjusters do not work for the insurance companies.
Public Adjusters are governed by the State of Hawaii’s Department of Insurance and work solely for you, the policyholder. Hawaii Public Adjusters works to obtain the most equitable and prompt settlement possible.
Hawaii Public Adjusters is the only state-licensed firm that is physically located on any of the islands. While there are other public adjusting firms licensed in Hawaii, they cannot easily “come to you” at your time of need.
Why Do I Need A Public Insurance Adjuster?
Anyone can benefit by having a public adjuster, it can range from a homeowner to a business owner. A full-service public adjuster will advise you of your rights and coverages even when you may not have a covered loss. A public adjuster’s job is technically defined as an individual or firm who will advise and assist the policyholder throughout the property claim process. However, the interpretation of that definition and the difference between a quality professional agency such as Hawaii Public Adjusters is that our team will evaluate the entirety of the situation, document the damages, review the available coverages, advise on your duties under your policy, and then if applicable, estimate and present your loss to your carrier.
The role of a quality public adjuster is to alleviate the burden of the property claims process from start to finish.
This is why it is so important for every home and business owner to have a public adjuster who they can rely upon for immediate assistance in their time of greatest need.
The highly stressful period following a loss is a difficult time for home and business owners. Think about it. Insurance companies are in the business of making money. The main expense an insurance company has is paying out on claims. It makes logical business sense that an insurance company should try to control all of their costs, claim payouts included. Insurance companies have hundreds of adjusters, senior adjusters, claims desk managers and lawyers who help them manage their claims.
Who’s helping you manage yours?
How Do Public Adjusters Do Their Job?
A typical policy contains hundreds of provisions and stipulations, constantly changing forms, endorsements and many other complex details, such as inventory appraisals and Ordinance and Law triggers. Most policyholders do not know that the burden of proof to support their claim is on them. Public Adjusters know the insurance business and are familiar with these policy documents, claim filing procedures and the various insurance-related laws and regulations that govern the insurance industry. Public Adjusters are able to effectively use this knowledge in holding your insurance company to the highest standard with regards to handling your claim.
Hawaii Public Adjusters works on a contingency fee basis. Our firm is keenly aware of the financial hardships and constraints that policy holders find themselves in when suffering a loss. There are never any up front payments or expenses you will have to worry about with Hawaii Public Adjusters. The contingency fee is established at the very beginning of the adjustment process. Hawaii Public Adjusters is paid as your insurance claim proceeds are paid by the insurance company. It serves both our interest to secure as high a settlement that is due, in the most expeditious manner possible.
How Much More Money Can I Collect Using A Public Adjuster?
While it is difficult to put an actual percentage figure or average dollar value on this answer, the simple answer is that a significant amount of money is often left on the table by uneducated policyholders every year. Using a licensed public adjuster will almost assuredly increase your settlement. Insurance policies are contracts which are written by insurance carriers to confuse their policyholders and lead them to either jeopardize their available coverage or limit their monetary limits available. With Hawaii Public Adjusters on your side, we will be able to guide you through the language in your policy and the circumstances surrounding your particular situation, you can be sure that your interests and rights are protected to the maximum allowable extent.
Why Did My Insurance Company Advise Me NOT To Get A Public Adjuster
Likely the same reason a plaintiff suing you in court wishes you didn’t show up with an attorney – they want an easy fight with an uneducated opponent! Remember, you have the right to professional representation under the insurance laws of your state and the provisions of your policy. Never let your insurance company bully you into a decision without consulting a reputable professional. You wouldn’t show up to court without an attorney, why would you go to battle with your insurance company without a trained professional?