The homeowner’s claims process is designed to confuse you. Insurance companies purposely use complicated jargon, piles of paperwork, and confusing correspondence to get you to either file a claim wrong (so they can give you a smaller settlement) or give up entirely.
If you’ve filed a claim and are being offered an unfair settlement, then you’ve likely fallen for the same pitfalls countless other homeowners have before you. The good news is that you don’t have to give in and accept it—at least not before a professional public adjuster looks at it first.
But is it too late to hire a public adjuster after filing a homeowner’s insurance claim? Read on to learn when you can (or can’t) get their help.
Can You Hire a Public Adjuster After Filing a Homeowner’s Insurance Claim?
The short answer is yes—you can hire a public adjuster AFTER you’ve already filed your homeowner’s claim. Their job is to represent your interests and advocate on your behalf to get you a fair settlement from your insurance company. As a result, a public adjuster can join in at almost any point in the claims process, although the sooner they’re involved, the better.
When Is It Too Late to Hire a Public Adjuster?
While it’s true that public adjusters can be hired after a claim has been filed, there are a few instances where extenuating circumstances may prevent you from recruiting their help.
After a Claim Denial
Some public adjusters will not accept cases where a claim has already been denied. Although that is not the case at Fortitude Public Adjusters—as we will help you appeal the decision by providing additional evidence and working with your insurance company to overturn the denial—the same does not go for public adjusters everywhere.
After Signing a Final Release
If you’ve already submitted a claim and signed a final release or settlement agreement, in the eyes of your insurance company, your claim is officially closed. That means it typically can’t be reopened, thereby forfeiting your right to negotiate it any further. If you do submit a claim, make sure you don’t sign off on any settlements until you’re happy with the amount offered.
It’s Beyond the Statute of Limitations
There are often terms and conditions within your insurance policy that prevent you from filing claims after a certain time frame. This is typically within a year of the date of loss, although some policies allow you up to two years. If this period has lapsed and you’re interested in making adjustments to the claim with the help of a public adjuster, it’s likely too late for them to help.
How to Hire a Public Adjuster After Submitting a Claim
The process of hiring a public adjuster after submitting a claim is very similar to the process of hiring one before submitting a claim. You’ll want to:
1. Research Adjusters Online
Finding a public adjuster is a lot like buying a car—you don’t want to just go with the first one you find. Spend some time researching and reading reviews on public adjusters near you. Although many public adjusters have plenty of experience in the industry, not all public adjusters are specialists in every type of claim. Whether it’s flood or fire damage, you’ll want one with a history of dealing with your specific type of claim.
2. Verify Their Credentials
Once you’ve found a public adjuster, you’ll want to make sure that they’re licensed in your state. To do this in Wisconsin, use the Wisconsin.gov look-up tool and enter their name or license number. You can go one step further by asking the adjuster if you can get a list of claims he or she has handled in the past three years, along with letters of recommendation from previous clients or firms.
3. Explain Your Situation
Congrats—you’ve found and vetted a public adjuster! You’re one step closer to getting the settlement you deserve. However, before you enter a partnership, it’s important that you are honest with your public adjuster and thoroughly explain your situation. As mentioned, some public adjusters won’t work with denied claims. If this is your case, you’ll want to let them know sooner rather than later.
Benefits of Hiring a Public Adjuster After Submitting a Claim
If you’ve already submitted a claim, you may be wondering why you need the help of a public adjuster. They’ll just do everything that you’ve already done, right? Wrong! Public adjusters will:
- Negotiate on your behalf. They understand the complicated ins and outs of insurance policies and the claims process, and know exactly what information your insurance company may be withholding.
- Maximize your settlement. Public adjusters have been found to win homeowners an extra $6,000 (on average) for homeowners’ insurance claims. That’s hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars you could be missing out on!
- Save you time. The claims process is a lot of painstaking paperwork and phone calls. A public adjuster will handle all the small details for you, allowing you to focus on recovery after the stressful event of a claim.
Need a Milwaukee Public Adjuster After Filing a Claim? Contact Fortitude Today!
If you’ve filed a homeowner’s insurance claim and feel as though you aren’t getting the settlement you deserve, contact Fortitude Public Adjusters today! Our trained adjustment professionals have experience re-negotiating filed claims in order to ensure you receive the maximum possible settlement. We’ll gather new evidence, re-do the paperwork, and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. At Fortitude, it’s never too late!
