When to Hire a Public Adjuster After Property Damage
Property damage is always a source of stress. No matter if the damage is caused by hail, a concealed leak, a kitchen fire, or a fallen tree on your roof, the wreckage that comes after can easily feel too much to handle, especially when it’s time to file an insurance claim.
Why You Should Hire a Public Adjuster
Insurance companies have a tendency to undervalue claims or deny parts of them when the facts of your claim conflict with how ‘they’ interpret your policy, or internal protocol prohibits your insurance company’s adjuster from paying for necessary rebuild costs. The cost of rebuilding homes after a fire has gone up due to inflation and supply chain issues, which results in higher out of pocket costs for homeowners in case their claims are underpaid.
A public adjuster makes sure that your damage is fully inspected and that your claim is filed correctly. At that moment, many homeowners ask: Should I hire a public adjuster right away or wait to see what the insurance company offers?
The truth is: there is no better time to bring in a public adjuster than right at the beginning of the process.
What Does a Public Adjuster Do?
Before we get into the timing of it, let’s quickly cover the basics. A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who represents you, the policyholder, not the insurance company. Their job is to:
- Evaluate and document all damage,
- Interpret your policy to identify covered losses,
- Estimate the true value of repairs and replacement,
- Handle the entire claims process and negotiate with your insurer,
In short, a public adjuster fights to maximize your payout and reduce your stress.
When to Hire a Public Adjuster: The Best Time Is Early
What will be most beneficial to you is hiring a PA as soon as the accident takes place, that is, before you even file a claim. This allows your adjuster to:
- Inspect the damage before cleanup or repairs begin,
- Collect crucial evidence while it’s still fresh,
- Prevent mistakes in how the claim is filed,
- Control the narrative with the insurance company from the start,
- Request additional living expenses when the home is unlivable
Waiting until after a low offer or denial can still work but you will likely face more obstacles. By hiring a public adjuster early, you avoid costly missteps and set yourself up for success.
In addition to navigating the claim process to avoid denials and underpayments, there are also instances when your home may be considered unlivable, and a temporary residence is required. In some cases your insurance company may refuse to pay for additional living expenses when the facts of your claim conflict with how ‘they’ interpret your policy. This is where a public adjuster’s knowledge policy interpretation is incredibly useful in receiving coverage for a temporary residence for you and your family during this chaotic time.
Ideal Timing for Common Types of Property Damage
Let’s look at some real-world scenarios where hiring early makes a difference:
1. Hail & Windstorms
Hail and windstorms frequently result in damage that is both obvious and hidden, such as compromised roofing systems or water infiltration inside walls. During storm season, insurance companies are overloaded with claims, which causes them to conduct rushed inspections and offer lowball settlements.
Roof claims are very often denied on the ground of “wear and tear” or “maintenance” exclusions. The impact caused by wind or hail can be concealed even if it is visually evident.
To be sure your claim gets attention and that nothing is overlooked, get a public adjuster on your side within days of the storm.
2. Leaks & Water Damage
Water damage from any source, a pipe burst, a roof leak, can be complicated. Mold, structural issues, and flooring may take a long time to show, even if the damage is severe.
Most insurance policies have language that protects the insurance company from paying for long term losses. That’s why hiring a public adjuster before the claim is filed is crucial when it comes to avoiding a denial.
Once you have noticed the damage, before starting the cleanup, you should hire a public adjuster who will be able to document the damage in detail and ensure your claim is protected.
3. Fires
Fire claims are the most complicated ones as they involve multiple layers of smoke damage, structural damage, and damaged belongings. To reduce the losses, insurers often try to compartmentalize or minimize these types of losses by hiring ‘preferred contractors’ to perform mitigation or damage assessment services.
Without a public adjuster to highlight damages and review a ‘preferred contractor’s’ scope of work, many damages may go hidden or poorly covered up. The results may include future mold contamination, prolonged smoke odor issues, or in the worst case structural deficiencies that may pose a risk to you and your family.
Therefore, it is very important that a public adjuster is hired immediately after the fire so that the home and family stay protected from the very beginning.
4. Theft & Vandalism
Oftentimes burglaries and vandalism go hand in hand. If not for the reason that when a break-in involves damage to the home it is oftentimes considered vandalism, but whether damage is reported, a police report and a detailed itemization of the loss is always required when filing either claim.
If you want to be sure that you are properly reimbursed for lost contents or damage to your property, a public adjuster should be brought in immediately after to catalogue your missing and damaged items, and collect the proper evidence to support your claim.
Should I Hire a Public Adjuster If I Already Filed?
Yes. While it’s ideal to hire a public adjuster early, it’s not too late if:
- You have filed the claim but haven’t accepted the settlement
- You received a low offer and aren’t sure what to do
- Your claim was denied and you want to fight it
- You are feeling overwhelmed and want someone to take over
Public adjusters like Spartan can step in at any stage even reopening claims that were already paid or denied.
Why Choose Spartan Public Adjusters?
Timing is critical but so is choosing the right team. At Spartan Public Adjusters, we do not simply talk the talk.
In order to protect our clients and maximize their recoveries, we bring together speed, discipline, and a results driven strategy.
We are a fast, moving, highly responsive, and very hands on team. Our specialists are familiar with the exact things that need to be looked into, are seasoned in negotiating, and are fully aware of the ways in which they can ensure that your claim will not be lost among the bureaucratic procedures.
Should You Hire a Public Adjuster?
In case you are thinking, “Should I hire a public adjuster? “, consider the following:
- Are you absolutely certain that you will be able to handle the policy on your own?
- Do you believe that the insurance company will look out for your best interests?
- Are you in possession of the time and resources that will be necessary to go through the process of inspections, handling paperwork, and negotiating with the other party all by yourself?
If you find yourself saying “no” to any one of the above questions, then the answer to “should I hire a public adjuster?” is “yes”.
In a case like this, a public adjuster will surely be a great asset. Do not think twice about contacting Spartan Public Adjusters if you find yourself in such a situation.
Spartan Public Adjusters, LLC
(470) 517, 3932