Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Public Adjuster?
A: A public adjuster is a licensed professional claims adjuster and advocate. They prepare, present, and negotiate your property claim with your insurance company and their insurance adjuster. A Public Adjuster is solely your representative, an authority on loss adjustments who you can retain to assist you in preparing, filing, and adjusting your insurance claims.
Q: What is the role of the Insurance Company's Adjuster?
A: As a representative of your insurance company, the insurance adjuster works for them. He will review, audit and adjust the documentation you are required to prepare to substantiate your claim. You can bet that they don't have your best interest in mind.
Q: Why do I need my own Adjuster?
A: Your insurance company will utilize the services of a staff or sub-contracted claims adjuster to represent their interests. The skilled professional that your insurer will send to investigate and calculate your loss is paid by the very same company that owes you a fair settlement. The conflict is obvious.
Q: How does LARJ Public Adjusters prepare a claim?
A: In addition to being skilled negotiators, we use the services of structural engineers, appraisers, accountants, general contractors, technical advisors, inventory specialists, and other experts as needed. Your insurer will use their own experts to document their opinion of your claim. Again, the conflict is obvious.
Q: Should I wait until I meet with the insurance adjuster to see what they are willing to offer before I call LARJ PublicAdjusters?
A: NO, most people do want to make an informed decision but meeting with the insurance adjuster without the assistance of LARJ PublicAdjusters could be disastrous…call us for details.
Q: I know that my insurance company will send out an insurance adjuster of their own. What would the advantage be to retain a professional adjuster of my own?
A: The obvious advantage of retaining LARJ PublicAdjusters is that we represent only the interest of the policyholder (you) and work diligently to secure the maximum benefit claim for you. We will also handle all of the details that would normally consume a great deal of your time, such as preparing your inventory (contents), meeting with contractors and presenting complex insurance claims. Because of our experience and training, we can accomplish this more thoroughly and quickly policy-owners can.
Q: I understand the insurance company can make me an offer on my claim and that I can then decide whether or not to accept it?
A: Yes, but if you wait until the insurance company prepares its own settlement claim, you may have most likely given up your own right to prepare your claim, and the right to have LARJ PublicAdjusters prepare your claim professionally for you. Most people can hardly afford a delay with such a disastrous result. LARJ PublicAdjusters provides trustworthy and professional representation for the policyholder.
Additionally, the policyholder has many other reasons to associate with LARJ PublicAdjusters. As professionals, we have superior knowledge of the separate underlying aspects of our industry. Public adjusters have the professional authority, the sanction of the community, and are guided by a regulative code of ethics. On their own, the property-owner lacks the extensive support network the public adjuster offers. With LARJ PublicAdjusters the property-owner is in a far better position to get a higher settlement.
Q: How can LARJ PublicAdjusters help you?
A: Before the rebuilding process can begin, an accurate and comprehensive assessment of all losses must be conducted. We are skilled in preparing these involved claims to help you receive the full amount to which you are entitled, in accordance with policy terms. But most important, the services of a public adjuster will save you money.
Q: When should I consider calling LARJ PublicAdjusters?
A: Immediately. We will inspect your loss and answer your questions without cost or obligation. Don't wait! The steps you take today could have a profound effect on the outcome of your claim.
Q: How much is the first meeting with us?
A: Consultation is free and absolutely NO obligation.
Q: Why should you utilize a Public Adjuster to obtain what is rightfully due to you?
A: Insurance companies offer to pay what is due to you as they see it. Public insurance adjusters are your exclusive representatives. With their experience and knowledge they are better able to obtain a more favorable adjustment for you, the insured.
Q: In the event of a loss, what steps should you take?
A: Promptly report the loss to the agent or broker, or directly to the insurance company and immediately retain the services of LARJ Public Insurance Adjusters to serve you.
Q: What information will be required to prove your claim?
A: • Detailed unit cost appraisal to replace building damage with like-kind, and quality.
• Detailed physical inventory and appraisal of all contents, including furniture, fixtures, equipment, and stock, whether damaged or undamaged.
• Insurable value appraisal of building and contents for co- insurance requirements.
• Identification and evaluation of the betterment's and improvements, including your insurable interests.
• Physical depreciation schedule on all property.
• Determination of salvage disposal.
• Analysis of gross earnings value and loss for Business Interruption claim.
• Analysis of accounting records in relation to property values.
Q: What about emergency and/or temporary repairs?
A: Within the fine print of all insurance policies is a complex list of obligations that the policyholder has in the event of a loss. A public adjuster will give you expert guidance. The period right a fter a loss is a critical time; the right decisions can save your business or home and also protect your rights. The wrong decisions can lead to disaster. One mistake in this complex process can void your policy or severely impair your ability to collect your rightful settlement.
Q: When should I call LARJ Public Adjusters?
A: Immediately
Toll Free (855) SOS-LARJ ? Local (609) 685-0507
