Questions for Your Public Adjuster
With a public adjuster, you are the boss. Although they are on your team, don’t forget that they work for you. Don’t let this get to your head, however. Because the adjuster obviously knows more than you about this process and you need to surrender to them, to a certain degree. But before you get to that point, you need to act like the boss and properly interview them to make sure they are the right adjuster for you. Here are a few questions to ask them before you make your decision.
How long have you been in business?
It’s always fine to take a chance on a newbie. Besides, everyone starts off somewhere. But when you are dealing with your personal property, loss and damage, you are better suited with someone with street cred.
Do you work alone?
Sometimes a collective work can reap more benefits. A single adjuster may lack all of the needed knowledge, but an assembled team may be exactly what you are looking for to get the job done. More heads are always better than one.
Are you licensed in Florida?
An adjuster must have a license of said state. If not, they are breaking the law and can put you at risk. It’s also a huge red flag if your adjuster is practicing without a license because there’s no telling what else they are doing illegally.
Do you have experience with my claim?
Naturally you want to hire someone who knows exactly how to handle the complexities of your specific claim. Some claims are truly bizarre and you want to ensure your adjuster has experience in something similar to it. If you’re dealing with hurricane damage, look up the sharpest hurricane damage adjuster this side of Lake Okeechobee.
How do you get paid?
When you get paid, your adjuster should get paid. They should NOT, under any circumstance, ask for an upfront fee. If so, they are not the right choice for you.
When you make your decision, you can then step back and let them practice their adjusting voodoo. Always remember that they should be working for your best interest. So if you sense that they are pulling a fast ball or doing anything sketchy, then put on your boss hat and remember that they are working for you. For the most part though, this is a collaborative team effort and their should never be any power plays with you and your adjuster. Let them do their job.