Some of California’s most destructive wildfires on record have occurred in recent years, leaving thousands of people displaced from damaged and destroyed properties. If you are one of the many individuals currently dealing with a California wildfire claim, it’s important to know what public adjusters are and how to use them to your benefit.
What Is a Public Adjuster?
When an insurance claim is filed, the insurance company assigns an agent known as the “claims adjuster” to the case. The adjuster’s job is to evaluate the insurance claim and determine whether the insurance company should pay – and if so, how much. However, these adjusters work with the insurance company’s best interests in mind, not the client’s.
A public adjuster does not work for an insurance company. Instead, they are an independent insurance professional who works for the claimant. A policyholder has the right to hire a public adjuster to help negotiate and settle a property insurance claim.
Public adjusters are most often used in large-scale residential and commercial property insurance claims, including wildfire cases in California. If a claim is particularly complex or an insurance company is refusing a payout, a public adjuster can help the claimant negotiate.
Public Adjuster vs. Wildfire Lawyer
While both a public adjuster and a wildfire lawyer help victims achieve fair insurance settlements for fire damage, they offer very different services. An attorney, but not an adjuster, can help with wildfire litigation in addition to the insurance process. If there is evidence that an entity such as a utility company caused the wildfire, you need a lawyer.
A public adjuster cannot file a lawsuit, give legal advice, or represent you in court during a private lawsuit or multidistrict litigation wildfire case. These are all services that are provided by an attorney. If an insurance company is handling your wildfire claim unfairly, a lawyer can also help you with a bad-faith insurance claim.
Both types of representatives work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are only paid if the client receives an insurance settlement. Public adjusters typically take a smaller percentage of the settlement compared to attorneys. However, they tend to achieve smaller settlements for their clients, making for lower overall payouts.
Beware of Public Adjuster Scams After California Wildfires
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has warned Californians against public adjuster scams in the wake of serious wildfires. While legitimate public adjusters can offer valuable assistance to wildfire victims, dishonest adjusters may take advantage of people at their most vulnerable.
If a public adjuster is charging more than around 15 percent in fees, referring you to a questionable contractor for repair estimates or taking your insurance checks for themselves, these are red flags for scams. You can verify the license status of a public adjuster on the California Department of Insurance website.
When Is Hiring a Lawyer the Best Choice?
If you have a relatively simple, lower-value wildfire case with no complications or liability disputes, a public adjuster may have everything you need to help you maximize your payout for a low cost.
If your wildfire claim involves challenges such as evidence of negligence, a lawsuit, insurance bad faith, large financial losses, total home loss, a denied claim, a lowball settlement, serious injuries or deaths, however, contacting a wildfire attorney is in your best interest.
You can also use both – start with a public adjuster to build your claim, then hire an attorney if insurance negotiations are unsuccessful. To schedule a free case review and learn more about your case, contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian at (833) 758-0785 24/7.