Question 1

What is a public adjuster?

Accepted Answer

A public adjuster is an independent professional who represents policyholders in the insurance claims process. We work to ensure that policyholders receive a fair and equitable settlement from their insurance company.

Public adjusters are not employed by the insurance companies and do not have a vested interest in the outcome of a claim. We work solely on behalf of the policyholder and are committed to maximizing the recovery for our client.

Question 2

What is the difference between an Insurance Adjuster (IA) and a Public Adjuster (PA)?

Accepted Answer

Insurance Adjuster (IA): 
Employed by the insurance company
Represents the insurance company's interest
Works to minimize the amount of money paid out on claims
May not have the policyholder's best interests in mind
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Public Adjuster (PA):
Independent professional who represents policyholders
Works to maximize the recovery for the policyholder
Has vested interest in the outcome of the claim
Charges a percentage of the claim settlement amount as their fee​

Question 3

What are the benefits of hiring a public adjuster?

Accepted Answer

There are many benefits to hiring a public adjuster to represent you in the insurance claims process. Some of the benefits include:
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Increased settlement amount: Public adjusters have a proven track record of negotiating higher settlements for policyholders. We have the experience and knowledge to properly document and value your claim. 
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Expertise and experience: Public adjusters are experts in the insurance claims process. We know how to navigate the complex paperwork and procedures involved in filing a claim.
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Personal representation: Public adjusters work solely for the policyholder and understand the fine print of insurance policies. We are able to devote time to manage your claim to free up your time, giving you peace of mind knowing your claim is in expert hands.​​​

Question 4

When is it best to contact a public adjuster?

Accepted Answer

It's ideal to contact a public adjuster as soon as you suspect that a claim may need to be filed with your insurance company.

Contacting and hiring a public adjuster before notifying your insurance company is beneficial for several reasons including:
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If you are already underway in the claims process and are not satisfied with the settlement offer from your insurance company, you may want to consider hiring a public adjuster.
 
Upon an initial inspection of what you think may be a reason to file a claim with your insurance company, may prove to be an  excluded peril under your insurance policy. In this case, it would best be refrain from notifying your insurance company and even assuming responsibility for repair costs yourself. A public adjuster will advise you on whether to report such damage and will lessen the possibility of your insurance company unnecessarily increasing your rates.

Question 5

You have decided to hire a public adjuster. What are the next steps?

Accepted Answer

1.  Notify your insurance company.
Braccia Adjusting LLC will contact your insurance company as close to the date of loss (or date of discovery) as possible. In cases where a claim was reported to a carrier before our hiring, we will notify the carrier of our involvement immediately after our contract is signed. We usually do this by calling the carrier's claim department and submitting our contract via email or fax.

2. File a claim.
Once we have notified your insurance company, we will need to file your claim. This can be done online, by mail or over the phone. We will need to provide information about the loss, such as the date and time it occurred or it was discovered, the cause of loss, and the extent of the damage.
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3. Document the damage. 
We will conduct our investigation of your loss. This involves, but is not limited to: taking photos and/or videos of the damage to your property, gathering specifics regarding the cause of loss, recording the measurements of the affected ares, and conducting necessary inspections. Each claim is unique in its own right; some losses will involve certain investigatory techniques that others do not.
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4. Get an estimate for repairs.  
We will write an estimate for the cost of repairs using the latest industry estimating software.
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5. Submit your claim.
Once our investigation and estimate(s) are complete, we will then submit your claim to your insurance company. We provide all supporting documentation we have regarding your claim to the claims department in a time sensitive manner.
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6. Negotiate your settlement.
Once your insurance company has reviewed our claim submissions, they will make Braccia Adjusting LLC an offer for a settlement. We may need to negotiate with your insurance company to get a fair settlement. This may involve numerous discussions, many of which might involve disagreements between the insurance company and the public adjuster.
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7. Receive your payment.
When the public adjuster and the insurance company reach a mutual agreement on your settlement, you will begin to receive your payment (s).

Question 6

How much does a public adjuster charge for their services?

Accepted Answer

Braccia Adjusting LLC does not charge any upfront fees while maximizing your final financial settlement with your insurance company. However should we reach a settlement with your insurance company, we will charge you the percentage agreed upon when retaining our services.
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In the State of Connecticut, public adjusters are permitted to charge no more than 10% of the final settlement of a loss covered by our employment contract.

Question 7

How long does it take for a claim to get resolved?

Accepted Answer

There is no set time period for claims to be settled.  Some claims can take a couple of months, and some bigger and more complicated claims can take much longer to be resolved. There are many factors that go into determining when a claim will be finalized. Braccia Adjusting LLC always provides updates to their customers throughout the entire claim process.

Question 8

Is there any additional information that I should be aware of during the claims process?

Accepted Answer

The insurance company will try and minimize the amount of money they pay you. This is because they are a for-profit business, and their goal is to make money.
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The insurance company will use various tactics to try and get you to accept a lower settlement. Some tactics they use may include: delaying the claims process, offering you a lowball settlement, or just denying your claim all together.​​
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You will need to be prepared to negotiate with your insurance company. This means being knowledgable about your policy, the extent of your damages, and the value of your claim. Public adjusters are experts in this area.
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Be patient. The claims process can take time. Don't be discouraged if the insurance company doesn't immediately offer you a fair settlement.
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Be persistent. Don't give up if the insurance company tries to lowball you, or deny your claim.
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Consider hiring a public adjuster. A public adjuster can help you get a fair settlement. ​​​​

Licensed Public Adjusters

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)