A public appraiser can help you with the claims process and ensure that your payment is fair and accurately reflects the damages and your coverage. Your public appraiser should help you with each part of the claim. Your public appraiser will assess the damage, determine a cost estimate, and even negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf. Your insurance adjuster's goal is to maximize your claim.
Most of the time, insurance claims processed by a public appraiser are fairly simple. We file the claim, stay in constant communication with their insurance provider, and get the policyholder to reach a fair settlement. The fact is, if you let a public appraiser handle your claim, things will move faster than if you were to process it yourself. This is because, often, the insurance company will give you a solution.
They are well aware that homeowners and commercial property owners generally don't know the language of insurance well. A qualified public appraiser knows the insurance game inside and out. We keep things moving forward because that's what we do best. However, as stated above, if things go beyond a simple and quick settlement and the lawsuit ends up in court, the process is lengthy and depends on the lawyer and the county in which the case is heard.
If you're in the process of filing a claim with your insurance company, it may be worth hiring a public appraiser. A landlord may decide to hire a public appraiser if they have a potentially significant claim and are worried that they will cover everything. Thanks to their experience and determination to find everything possible, the public appraiser can help ensure that nothing is omitted in the claim or in the resolution of the claim. If you are faced with a major claim with a potentially high payment, consider the price before choosing to hire a public appraiser.
Public appraisers are professionals who must have a certain amount of knowledge and training. The NAPIA directory lists all public appraisal firms that must have a license in their state of operation. If you trust your insurance company and believe that your appraiser is outspoken in helping you resolve the claim, you probably don't need to involve a public appraiser. For example, if the claim is resolved and additional damage is discovered during repairs, you may want to hire a public appraiser to assess the total cost.
Your public appraiser will work to maximize the amount of money you will receive for your claim. Like a claims appraiser, a public appraiser will assess the damage to your property, help determine the extent of the repairs, and estimate the replacement value of those repairs. While it may seem like a good idea to hire a public insurance appraiser to help you maximize the payment of your claim and resolve it quickly, there are many reasons why it's best to work directly with your insurance agent and insurance company. Similarly, if you're simply too busy to manage the claims process on your own and need help, a public appraiser may be an option for you.
But is it really necessary? Is there a better way to ensure that your claim is resolved quickly and fairly? Can hiring a public insurance adjuster be more trouble than it's worth? Read on to find out. If the public appraiser is questioning the damage or how much it might cost to repair it, you may decide to use a contractor for a second opinion.