After a disaster, many homeowners often get besieged with inquiries and offers from a host of public adjusters and others offering to help them. Before signing up for their services, it is imperative that you exercise due diligence. Here are some danger signals to watch out for when hiring a public adjuster Suffolk County.
If they are not members of any organization
It is a requirement that every public adjuster practicing in Suffolk County must be a member of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. Alternatively, they can have membership in their state association of public insurance adjusters. Membership to such organizations requires a public adjuster to adhere to a strict professional Code of Conduct. Public adjusters who are not members of any of these organizations cannot make good and reliable public adjusters.
If they make big promises without guarantees
You should be aware of any public adjuster who promises that they can recover a certain percentage which is higher than what your insurer is offering. A public adjuster should not guarantee anything until they have read your policy, determined the value of the claim and seen the offer from your insurance company.
If they have outrageous fees
In most cases, the fees charged by most public adjusters Suffolk County range from 5% to 15%, with 10% being the average. Some public adjusters, however, may charge slightly higher fees on smaller claims, especially when hired midway through the claim process. As a rule of thumb, a good public adjuster should charge reasonable fees for the services they offer.
If he is not local
It is always a good idea to hire someone who is local because he will offer better representation. This is someone who knows the local building codes, can access the local resources and how best to leverage them, and understands the construction costs in your area. On the same note, a local public adjuster will also have prior experience working with the representatives of the local insurance companies.
If he pressurizes you to make a decision
A legitimate public adjuster is someone who understands that the decision to hire someone to represent you is a momentous one. This is a decision that you shouldn’t make in haste. This is because it is arguably one of the most important decisions you will have to make in your life. As such, you should take your time and ask for references before making the decision.
Hiring a public adjuster Suffolk County is a lengthy and tedious process that should not be hurried. You can only stay out of the woods by taking precautionary measures when hiring a public adjuster.
For more information on how to hire a public adjuster, visit Rubin & Rosen Adjuster, Inc. for assistance. We also have qualified public adjusters that offer professional representation.
