What is an adjuster?
An adjuster is a person who determines the amount of damage to your home and property, what can be repaired or replaced, and at what cost. The adjuster also reviews your insurance policy to see if the damage is covered, any dollar limits or deductibles that may apply, and explain your policy's coverage for the claim.
Types of Adjusters
- Company Adjuster
- A company adjuster only works for that insurance company. The insurance company hires and pays a company adjuster. This adjuster will settle the claim based on insurance coverage you have and the amount of damage to your home and property.
YOU DO NOT PAY A COMPANY ADJUSTER.
- A company adjuster only works for that insurance company. The insurance company hires and pays a company adjuster. This adjuster will settle the claim based on insurance coverage you have and the amount of damage to your home and property.
- Independent Adjuster
- An independent adjuster works for several different insurance companies. An insurance company uses independent adjusters when it doesn’t have its own adjusters on staff or when it needs more adjusters than available, usually during a large disaster.
An independent adjuster does the same work as a company adjuster.
YOU DO NOT PAY AN INDEPENDENT ADJUSTER.
- An independent adjuster works for several different insurance companies. An insurance company uses independent adjusters when it doesn’t have its own adjusters on staff or when it needs more adjusters than available, usually during a large disaster.
- Public Adjuster
- A public adjuster is a professional you can hire to handle your insurance claim. Public adjusters have no ties to the insurance company. They estimate the damage to your home and property, review your insurance coverage, and negotiate a settlement of the insurance claim for you. Nebraska requires public adjusters to be licensed. Public adjusters are allowed to be paid a percentage of the insurance settlement. The specific percentage MUST be disclosed in the contract. Know the terms of your agreement with your public adjuster and what you will have to pay.
YOU HAVE TO PAY A PUBLIC ADJUSTER.
- A public adjuster is a professional you can hire to handle your insurance claim. Public adjusters have no ties to the insurance company. They estimate the damage to your home and property, review your insurance coverage, and negotiate a settlement of the insurance claim for you. Nebraska requires public adjusters to be licensed. Public adjusters are allowed to be paid a percentage of the insurance settlement. The specific percentage MUST be disclosed in the contract. Know the terms of your agreement with your public adjuster and what you will have to pay.
How long after I file a claim will an adjuster inspect my home?
Every disaster can be different. Be sure to ask your insurance company when you file the claim. A reasonable amount of time could be 3 to 5 days for a minor claim. It may take longer for the adjuster to reach you after a large disaster. Be sure they know the best way to contact you.
What should I do to prepare to meet with the adjusters?
- Make a list of all damage or destroyed personal property. Make a list of damage to the home and any other structures like a garage, tool shed, or in-ground swimming pool. Work from memory or from photos if you have no records of your destroyed property.
- Gather photos or videos from your home and property BEFORE they sustained damage.
- Include any receipts from when you bought the destroyed items if you have them. Search online shopping sites to help estimate costs.
- Take notes when you meet the adjuster. Get their name, contact information, and ask when you can expect to hear back. Use the guide at the end of this document to track the information.
What will happen when the adjuster comes to my home?
Make sure to be at your home when the adjuster comes. You can show them where you believe structural damage has happened. Show any lists, photos, or videos where damage may have occurred. The adjuster will inspect your home, take photographs, measurements, and may calculate damage and cost to repair. Be sure to get their contact information and ask if there’s any other information you need to provide.
If I hire a public adjuster, will the insurance company still send its own adjuster?
The insurance company does NOT have to accept your public adjuster’s estimates. The company will usually send a company adjuster or independent adjuster to assess and estimate damage to your home or property.
How is a public adjuster paid?
If you hire a public adjuster, it is your responsibility to pay their fee. A public adjuster should give you a contract that explains how much you will pay and what services they will provide. If you hire a public adjuster after your insurance company has made an initial offer, ask about the fee. The contract should say if the fee you’ll pay will be based on the total the insurance company pays or on the amount the public adjuster negotiates for you.
