Question 1

What is a Public Adjuster?

Accepted Answer

A public adjuster is a professional who prepares, presents, and negotiates your insurance settlement after damage to your home. Usually, we handle the entire claim process so you can focus on yourself, your family and your work — and get you more money than you would get by yourself.

Question 2

Why do I need to hire a Public Adjuster?

Accepted Answer

Insurance companies are in the top four wealthiest industries in this country. They scrutinize every claim to control their bottom line. Do you really want to leave your future solely in their hands? Get smart. Get educated. Get the most...by hiring the best. A public adjuster works for you, getting you the maximum amount to recover — sooner.

Question 3

Is hiring a Public Adjuster going to cost me money that I would otherwise have to spend on rebuilding my home?

Accepted Answer

Look at it this way — as an example. If you were to negotiate the claim alone and received $200,000, but with the help of a public adjuster you receive a settlement of $300,000 — even after paying a success fee of say 10% — you'd have $70,000 more. Aren’t you better off?

Question 4

Should I hire a Public Adjuster before the insurance company makes me an offer?

Accepted Answer

What gets said and done in the first weeks of your claim process dramatically impacts the outcome and how much money is eventually paid. A public adjuster will know how to handle your insurance company and expedite a maximized settlement.

Question 5

Can't I just do my own inventory?

Accepted Answer

If you don't do it right, you will end up with a fraction of what a public adjuster would recover for you. Ask yourself, will I have time for my family? My work? The things that are most important in my life?

Question 6

Does the insurance company's adjuster work for me?

Accepted Answer

No. That adjuster works for your insurance company. Period. That adjuster gets paid by your insurance company. That adjuster’s job is to represent the interests of the insurance company. And insurance companies have incentive to minimize claim payments.

Question 7

Should I hire and pay for a cleaning company?

Accepted Answer

Insist that the cleaning company first make an estimate and hold off cleaning until you can decide what should and shouldn't be cleaned.

Question 8

Do I really need to get three bids for the repairs to my home?

Accepted Answer

There's nothing in the insurance policy that says you need to get three bids.

Question 9

What is an insurance company's preferred vendor?

Accepted Answer

Insurance companies’ preferred vendors are contractors who get substantial work from insurance companies. They are frequently willing to do so for smaller profits and less overhead than their local competition which can impact the quality of their work.

Question 10

What is the Two-Worlds Theory?

Accepted Answer

Those who fully understand the claims process and how to secure the most from an insurance company understand the importance of separating the insurance recovery world from the actual reconstruction world.

Question 11

Can I hire a Public Adjuster later, if I don't in the beginning?

Accepted Answer

Sure you can, but I need to caution you that the job is going to be much more difficult. As reputable public adjusters, we will tell you that we still have to prepare the whole claim as if we had been involved from the beginning.

Question 12

I have an attorney and accountant, why do I need a Public Adjuster, too?

Accepted Answer

Your attorney and your accountant can help bring specific expertise to help in the claim process, but it’s important to discuss if they have expertise specific to property damage.

Question 13

How does a Public Adjuster get paid?

Accepted Answer

A public adjuster is paid a success fee that is just a small fraction of the claim settlement.

Question 14

How long does it take to prepare a claim and get a settlement?

Accepted Answer

I like to say that this is a marathon, not a sprint. The time it takes depends on you and your goals. Our job is to understand your goals and execute a strategy based on those goals.

Question 15

How much time do I have to commit to the claim process?

Accepted Answer

The simple answer is, “as much or as little time as you want.” Some clients choose to be involved in all the minute details and others happily turn the reins over completely.

Question 16

How do I know that your claims of getting me more, sooner are righteous claims?

Accepted Answer

We have thousands of references and thousands of letters as a result of years in the public adjusting business.

Question 17

What is a public adjuster?

Accepted Answer

A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who exclusively represents you, the policyholder, following major property damage to your home or business. At Globe Midwest/Adjusters International, we are your proactive advocates in the wake of disaster.

Question 18

What does a public adjuster do?

Accepted Answer

Public adjusters provide you peace of mind knowing there is a professional in your corner who can secure the best possible settlements. A public adjuster navigates your insurance policy, combing through the details and complex language to be sure you are aware of your obligations and time restrictions. We know and understand the emotional toll on families and companies and we are there to support you all along the way. At Globe Midwest/Adjusters International, we expertly evaluate and document your losses—including hidden damages. And we not only prepare your claim and communicate with your insurance company on your behalf, but also negotiate for the best insurance settlement possible to help you recover.

Question 19

Does a public adjuster need to be licensed?

Accepted Answer

Public adjusters are licensed in most states and subject to strict laws governing their services and ethics. For peace of mind, make sure your public adjusters are members of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA). At Globe Midwest/Adjusters International, we are both licensed and we are members of NAPIA.

Question 20

Do you need a public adjuster?

Accepted Answer

Think of it this way. If you sell your property, you work with a realtor to get the best possible outcome. If you are dealing with the IRS, you hire an accountant to get the best possible outcome. If you suffer property damage, you should hire a professional public adjuster to get the best possible outcome from your claim. With Globe Midwest/Adjusters International, you are in excellent hands. In our 94+ years in business, we have settled more than $2 billion in claims.

Question 21

How much does a public adjuster charge?

Accepted Answer

Public adjusters typically charge a small percentage of the total amount they helped you collect for your claim, so the fee varies based on your insurance settlement. At Globe Midwest/Adjusters International, we offer free consultations.

Question 22

What is the difference between a public adjuster and an independent adjuster?

Accepted Answer

A public adjuster works exclusively for the policyholder. An independent adjuster works as a consultant on behalf of the insurance company. To have your own professional representation, you need to hire a reputable public adjuster to advocate for your best financial interest. And at Globe Midwest/Adjusters International, we are the largest, oldest, and best Midwest firm for the job.