The best place to find a good public adjuster is through the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. NAPIA can provide referrals in all states that license public adjusters. A Public Insurance Adjuster is the only type of adjuster qualified to represent the insured party in a property claim. Currently, more than 43 states plus the District of Columbia require an adjuster to have this license to represent the insured.

A professionally trained public insurance adjuster will act as your advocate and help you navigate the insurance maze so you can collect the full amount you are owed under your policy. However, there are several steps that must be completed before you can receive payment: assessing the loss, presenting it to the insurer, and negotiating a settlement. Insurance policies are complicated and conditional, full payment of a loss is not automatic.

A public adjuster can help determine coverages and causes of loss to evaluate the insurer’s offer or denial.

After a disaster, fire victims are often besieged by inquiries and offers from general contractors and public adjusters and others who offer to help them. This is normal. The fact that they request it does not mean that they are doing something wrong. However, you should be careful and do your due diligence before subscribing to their services.

If public adjusters are not members of NAPIA (National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters), beware. They may not have the legal or insurance knowledge to adequately represent you. Here are some danger signs:

1. They make BIG promises without any guarantees.

2. Their fees are outrageous. Most legitimate public insurance adjuster fees range from 5% to 12%, with an average of around 10%. Some public adjusters may charge higher fees on smaller claims or when hired midway through the claims process.

3. If you feel pressured to make a quick decision, run. Legitimate PAs recognize that this decision to hire someone to represent you in order to get your home and life back is a momentous one. This is not a decision to be taken lightly. This could be one of the most expensive decisions you make in your life. Take your time and make sure you feel comfortable with the adjuster you are hiring.

4. Check your website and address. If they have nothing more than a business card, be very careful. If your only address is a PO Box, this may be another red flag.

5. It is often better to hire someone who is local. Someone who knows the local housing market and rebuilding costs, who understands the community’s resources and how best to use them. A local PA may also have prior experience working with representatives of the major insurance companies in the area and can cut through much of the red tape and red tape to ensure you get what you’re owed more quickly.

How to make sure you hire the right personal assistant?

Again, make sure they are a NAPIA member at www.napia.com and have professional designations. Take your time and do several in-person interviews and ask for at least five references for each one. It can be difficult and intimidating, but you need to call the references and find out what your situation was. Have your questions ready before you call your references. Do they answer your questions and do they seem genuinely concerned? If you hire a public adjuster, get it in writing and understand their fees before you sign.