Public insurance adjusters are licensed by the insurance regulator. Requirements vary by state. The following are guidelines to help you determine if a PA is qualified to assist with your claim. So how do you know who is a crook and who isn’t? I recommend you contact the insurance company and ask them. If they have a public adjuster, you probably won’t have much luck. If they don’t have a public adjuster, it means that they have their adjusters in each adjuster’s local office. So, you may have luck getting your claim worked out with the adjuster in Phoenix. It’s possible with limited results. In some cases, you may have no luck at all. It’s really your call.
If you get an adjusted claim, it’s worth the time it takes. You may not get the full settlement you want, but it’s not likely you will get less than half of what you’re looking for either. If you can work out a deal with the insurance company and the adjuster in Phoenix, then you will have a much better chance of getting your full settlement. I would recommend you find a public adjuster for your policy and not a “fiduciary” adjuster. Fiduciary adjusters will make decisions solely in their own best interest, when the benefits of doing a deal outweigh the costs of fighting a claim in court. In general, they are not “balanced” and are more apt to side with the insurance company in court unless you make a strong case for your position. If you find a public adjuster who is a “balanced” private adjuster, then your chances of getting the benefits of a settlement greatly improve. In such cases, you will have a far better chance of getting a favorable settlement.
Remember that a lot of cases settle before going to trial. The cost of settling a claim often comes in the form of a policy adjustment. In other cases, the adjuster will agree to a settlement that is far less than the claims amount. So as you can see, the insurer’s adjuster is not in the position of fighting your case alone. They work with a number of people. In many cases, the adjuster who works with the insurance company will be the beneficiary of your claims adjustment.
Here’s how a settlement works:
The insurance company will try to get the amount of the settlement worked out with you and your attorney. It may be proposed that the insurance company and your attorney work out the details over a conference call, or via email. In those cases, your attorney’s participation is non-binding, although your attorney is the best source of information for determining the likelihood of reaching a settlement. If the insurance company is representing the defendant, they may offer to reduce the amount of the settlement, while maintaining their position. It is imperative that you fully understand what the insurance company is willing to settle for, and under what circumstances.
The insurance company may require that you attend a “hearing”, which will take place before the settlement conference. A hearing will be held once you have given your insurance company notice of your intention to attend. It is imperative that you give notice of your intention to attend, so that your insurance company’s settlement team can prepare for and gather all the necessary evidence they need. Your attorney is your best source for determining the time and place of your hearing.
After you’ve given notice of your intention to attend your insurance company’s settlement team will prepare a proposed settlement agreement. It is essential that you read the settlement agreement carefully, and be able to sign it, before your settlement conference. You have ten days after you receive the proposed settlement agreement, to give notice of objection.
If the settlement agreement is not agreeable to you, you have ten days after you give notice of objection to notify your insurance company of your objection. You have to object within the time frame, or your insurance company will accept the settlement. It is imperative that you read the settlement agreement carefully, and be able to sign it, before your settlement conference. You have ten days after you receive the proposed settlement agreement, to give notice of objection.
You may be able to reach a settlement if you know the insurance company’s settlement team. It may be possible for you to work with the insurance company to reach a settlement, without going before a judge. However, the insurance company will be the judge, jury and executioner, and may make various changes to the proposed settlement agreement. The insurance company may require that you sign an additional consent form, after you give notice of objection. If you have read the proposed settlement agreement and think it is unfair to you, you must immediately sign the consent form. Failure to do so, can result in a lawsuit.