Why should I hire a public adjuster?

A Public Insurance Adjuster is the only type of insurance adjuster that works on your behalf instead of the insurance company's. Most insurance companies are for-profit companies; the less they pay in claims each year, the more profitable they are. A public adjuster, instead, works only for you. They will negotiate with your insurance company in an effort to get you the most fair and reasonable settlement you are entitled to. In addition, a public adjuster will perform their own assessment of the damage, create a detailed catalog of losses, and protect your rights as a property owner every step of the way.

What does a public adjuster do?

Public adjusters act as advocates for policyholders during the appraisal and negotiation process of an insurance claim. Unlike anyone else you will speak to during this process, public adjusters are fiduciaries, meaning that they are legally bound to act only in your best financial interest. In short, public adjusters defend your financial interests against insurance companies when making an insurance claim.

What makes Edwin-Claude special?

Edwin-Claude has been a trusted name in the public adjusting sphere for more than three decades. With an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, we are certified by the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and endorsed by the American Red Cross, the American Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, and the Backstoppers. The best testament to the value we provide comes directly from our clients—much of our business is from referrals they make to their family and friends.

Why should I call Edwin-Claude first?

Once you and your loved ones are safe, your best next step is to contact our team at Edwin-Claude for a free conversation about how to proceed with your claim. The first few days are when the costly mistakes can happen. Even if you ultimately choose to handle the claim yourself, seeking our guidance from the start can help prevent these mistakes and save you thousands of dollars. When you work with us from the beginning of the insurance claim process, we can handle all of the heavy lifting for you. We will show up on-site ASAP to begin building a strong body of evidence for when we prepare your insurance claim.

Are insurance adjusters connected with insurance companies?

Most are! Even "independent adjusters" are actually hired by the insurance company to work on their behalf, not yours. Public insurance adjusters are the only adjusters employed exclusively by you—the policyholder—to help you maximize instead of minimize your settlement.

How much time will it take to settle my claim? If I hire a public claims adjuster, will this cause more time delay?

A great deal of Insurance Companies have a two-phase approach to this. The first step is to see if they can quickly settle the claim for an amount that is often considerably less than what you deserve. If they don't feel that they can accomplish this goal, many try to see how long they can drag the claim out. Hiring a Public Adjuster will expedite your receipt of a fair settlement. We will work as fast as we can, but not too fast as to fail to do a thorough job. We take as much time as needed to ensure that you have received everything you are entitled to, based on your loss and the coverages you purchased.

Why do I need help in filing an insurance claim?

The typical insurance policy contains hundreds of provisions and stipulations—various forms and riders that are constantly changing and many complex details about your duties and requirements in case of loss. Most people do not know or understand the complex policy provisions, and most do not realize that the burden of proof is on them, the policyholders. And, as the size and complexity of the claim increases, so does the need to hire a professional to stand beside you and fight for you.

How much should I expect to pay a public adjuster for their work?

There is no upfront cost for public adjusting services. You can expect to pay a public adjuster with a percentage of the insurance company's settlement. The actual amount you pay the adjuster will depend upon the size and complexity of your loss. 

I've received a settlement estimate from the insurance company that seems like it's not enough. Is this all I can get?

They can most likely offer more—but they won't tell you that! An estimated settlement is usually generated as a first draft by one adjuster who submits it for management approval. Your initial settlement amount is highly dependent on the tenure and skills of that adjuster. Almost always, an independent review by a public adjuster will uncover missed items or shortcuts.

Do I still need a Public Adjuster when I already have an Independent Adjuster working on my claim? 

This independent adjuster isn't really independent and doesn't work for you, they work for the insurance company. "Independent" does not mean they are impartial, it just means they work for more than one insurance company. The independent adjuster's income is provided by the insurance company that they represent. On the other hand, a Public adjuster is licensed and bonded in Missouri specifically to only represent individuals and/or businesses that have suffered a loss. They are hired by you, and they have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure that you receive the maximum benefits available under your policy of insurance.

I have family members or friends that are offering to help me. Can they do the same thing a public adjuster can?

Public adjusting is a very specialized skill. In most states, there are fewer Public Adjusters than brain surgeons. Even friends or relatives who work or have worked for insurance companies can't do what a public adjuster does. Even if they have adjusted losses for an insurance company, they have been trained to adjust losses in a way insurance companies like losses adjusted. Public adjusters have been trained to accurately document your damages. Public adjusters don't ask for unreasonable repairs, but if there is any question as to the proper way to repair damaged property, they lean towards the more complete repairs, as opposed to the least expensive ones.

In the event of a loss, what steps should I take?

Promptly report the loss to the agent or broker, or directly to the insurance company – and immediately retain the services of an accredited public insurance adjuster to serve you before engaging with the insurance company adjuster. We often recommend that clients have us report the claim for them to ensure it is reported properly from the start.

How do public adjusters determine the actual loss?

Our team takes a physical inventory, helps you obtain all pertinent appraisals, and makes sure all provisions in your policy are properly fulfilled. These steps can drastically increase the final settlement amount!

Can the contractor who is doing the work on my home negotiate my claim with the insurance company?

This is illegal in the state of Missouri, even if your contractor is a licensed public adjuster. Contractors are not permitted to perform repairs on claims where they represent you as a public adjuster. Another thing to keep in mind is that a contractor who illegally negotiates with your insurance company may limit their negotiations to things that will only compensate them. We have run into many situations where contractors have tried to keep the damages low to guarantee them work.

Must I have a large insurance claim to get assistance from a public adjuster?

The size of your claim doesn't matter; you can get assistance from a public adjuster on any claim. The larger your deductible, the larger your claim. If you have an Actual Cash Value Policy, it is even more imperative to be properly represented by a public adjuster.

What is NAPIA?

NAPIA stands for the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. NAPIA members are experts in the profession of public insurance adjusting who have joined together for the express purpose of professional education, obtaining certification, and promoting a rigid code of professional conduct and ethics.

Are your team members trained specialists?

Yes. All members are accredited by NAPIA, meaning they are tested, licensed, bonded, and authorized to act as public adjusters. Furthermore, all Certified Professional Public Insurance Adjusters (CPPA) must have a minimum of five years of experience and pass an examination to earn certification. A Senior Professional Public Adjuster (SPPA) must have a minimum of ten years of experience and also pass a rigid examination to earn "senior" certification. When you deal with a NAPIA-accredited public insurance adjuster, you can be confident that your claim is being adjusted by a fully qualified professional.